N Scale - TCS - KOD8-C - Digital Decoder - Kato Precision Railroad Models

Specific Item Information: The K0D8 is a N-scale drop-in decoder for Kato locomotives. Examples include the following::

Kato:
F40PH

Note: The K0D8 line of decoders are available with different lighting configurations. Pay special attention to the compatibility. The K0D8-A features 2 onboard super-bright, "Sunny White" LED's with long leads.

Additional Note: If you have a "Metra" or "Operation North Pole" F40PH from Kato, see the K5D7.

Prototype Description: A Digital Decoder is a small piece of electronics installed in model railroad items, to start with in locomotives, to which a unique ID or address is assigned, and that allows to control the said item from a centralized control station using its address.
Thus it becomes possible to control individually multiple locomotives running on the same power district, which is not possible on analog layouts.
Though several digital systems exist, the most predominant is the Digital Command Control or DCC that was invented in the 1980's by Lenz Elektronik GmbH and adopted in 1993 as a NMRA standard.

Road Name History: KATO U.S.A. was established in 1986, with the first U.S. locomotive model (the GP38-2, in N-Scale) released in 1987. Since that time, KATO has come to be known as one of the leading manufacturers of precision railroad products for the modeling community. KATO's parent company, Sekisui Kinzoku Co., Ltd., is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Brand/Importer Information: Train Control Systems Manufacturers of the highest quality DCC Decoders and Control Systems for Model Railroads

Manufacturer Information: Train Control Systems manufacturers high-quality electronics for model railroads. Founded in 1999 by CEO John Forsythe, TCS has been headquartered in Blooming Glen, Pennsylvania since it's inception. All products are manufactured at and shipped from their Pennsylvania facility.