NixTrainz

09/23/2026

Here's something you may have been waiting for. The V8s are packaged and ready to ship. MSRP is $39.95. They are on the website as well. The N18s should be available within 14 days. I'll keep you posted.

09/16/2026

A Heads Up
I have recently received a few comments that the lighting outputs involving the small connector board were inconsistently available (one or more functions not working), intermittent, intermittent on rocking the small connector board or lighting functions disappearing.
Initially I checked out all the electronics possibilities and found no problems with the unshipped new units and those returned as unsatisfactory. I subsequently inspected the mechanical connection and found that the 14-pin connector was supplied with the black header elevated on the pins. The 10-pin and 14-pin male connectors soldered well to the printed circuit motherboard but did not allow the pins to pe*****te the female connector on the small connector board correctly. The actual connection happens at the top of the female connector.
The fix has been easy and can happen on installed Decoder Buddys. The problem is also easily detected now that the problem has been identified. The best part is you will not have to heat up the soldering iron! The pictures should make the process easy.

08/23/2026

Here's a shout out for one of the prototype N18+s that I sent out. Tom Austin added a SoundTraxx TSU-N18 to a prototype NixTrainz N18+ Decoder Buddy and installed it into a Walthers SW1. Tom gets high get praise for a very neat installation and a great idea for installing the two 0.3F capacitors. He mentioned 4 to 5 seconds of time running without power from the onboard Power Bridge III stay alive too! Thanks for sharing, Tom!

08/14/2026

Most times I think I try to keep a low profile. This is helpful with decoder holders, motherboards too, and is shown on the left in the picture below. The N18 and N18+ does fit nicely in restricted height locomotives. Larry Linger, Solo Contracting on YouTube just released a video showing the installation of a prototype N18+ into a Bachmann 44 Tonner, tight quarters for a decoder and speaker. Thanks to Larry for sharing the installation and some very interesting things about dual motor configurations. Here's the link, https://youtu.be/KBM8yp4ORQ0?si=lHqH-zfyJ_Y0QrSW

08/13/2026

I've always enjoyed trips into Canada. I just got an excellent reason to travel and show off my wares! Three of my favorite things!!! Waterloo Railway Exposition Railway Prototype Modelling and Preservation Meet. Maybe I'll get to meet you in Waterloo on the 29th of August!!!

08/09/2026

What's the difference???

The current V1 and V5 Decoder Buddys are tuned toward locomotives with shell lighting and one or two frame lights. manufacturers have moved toward frame mounted LEDs mounted on small, printed circuit boards and a few LED lights in the shell of the locomotive. Stay alives have become more important lately as well. The New V8 addresses a number of current issues. It takes into account LED lighting on the frame and in the shell so both can be separated, includes a Power Bridge III stay alive that works with all manufacturers decoders without necessity of turning off a decoder to download or program sound files, and avoids the rigidity of JST or CST connectors by providing adequate solder pads for connecting up to twelve lighting functions where you want them.

The current Decoder Buddy Mini has been a go to for tight or less involved installations. The new N18 and N18+ provide a much lower height profile for headroom challenged installations. The N18 comes without a stay alive. The N18+ comes with onboard electronics for the Power Bridge III and remote capacitors for restricted space installations. The Power Bridge III stay alive works with all manufacturers decoders without necessity of turning off a decoder to download or program sound files. The N18s use all six outputs for lights.

These new Decoder Buddys should be available in September.

07/26/2026

I had a little time after the St.Louis RPM to let out a little information. I was able to show these pictures of some NEXT 18 Decoder Buddys. I got a very positive response! (Whew!!!).

The N18s come with and without Power Bridge IIIs onboard. This means seamless connection with either ESU, SoundTraxx and the rest of the manufacturer's Next 18 decoders. (No aux necessary and no disconnection to download or program sound files.No aux necessary and no disconnection to download or program ESU sound files.) They have 6 lighting outputs complete with resistors to protect LEDs. They were designed to fit into height restricted areas common in switchers, critters, small steam locomotives, tenders, and other size restricted areas.

I'll have the prototype run to test on July 28 and expect the production run to be able to ship in September. This will be a good place to know when they are ready to ship.

07/11/2026

Ean Ferrell asked me to sit down and talk with him at the 2026 NERPM. He made a video and put it up on his YouTube Channel, Mastic Short Line. I'd like top share it with you. Thanks, Ean it was a very fine time!

While at NERPM 2026, I had the honor of speaking a few minutes with...

07/03/2026

I'll have these on my workbench next week and a lot of work to do to get them out to you. They are the prototypes and will have to be manufactured in quantity, delivered to me, and packaged. If I'm lucky, I'll have them ready to sell in quantity in St Louis at the RPM. I'm not going to do preorders and will let people know when they are available. I thought you might be interested to see what July has to offer!!!

Have a great 4th of July!

06/27/2026

Couple things came out of this troubleshoot. The problem was that the Power Bridge III did not seem to work on the program track. When the locomotive was moved to the layout and track power, problem solved!!! The next thing that comes to mind is the fine installation of the PB III on a Rapido motherboard. I usually insulate bare wires more thoroughly, but air is a great insulator if it can be trusted to maintain spacing. The picture I included is a good example. The last thing I'd like to mention is that the Power Bridge III (NTZ204) shown is using two 0.3F super capacitors (0.15F effective capacitance). I have added a NTZ203 that uses two 1F super capacitors (0.5F effective capacitance) with the Power Bridge III. The 1F capacitors are slightly larger. Looks like they could have fit in here easily. Have a good!!!