Digitrax Utility Throttles

To clarify the differences between the various throttles, I have put together tables that summarize their features. In some cases, the information I present conflicts with what is on Digitrax's own specification sheets from their web site. In such cases, this is because I have determined the values in the table from direct observation.

This table is not intended to describe the specific features in detail-- it is a comparison table, not advertising material or user instructions. I have deliberately chosen to omit the CT4 throttle, as it is not a LocoNet compatible device and has no use on current Digitrax-equipped layouts.

A "utility" throttle is any Digitrax throttle that is designed primarily to just run trains. With the exception of the UT6-series throttles, they do not have displays.

Digitrax's "advanced" throttles are described on a page of their own.

 

Notes

	1	The BT2 cannot directly dial up a locomotive or consist, but acquires control over the last locomotive or consist dispatched by an "advanced" throttle.
	2	UT1 and UT2 throttles can directly dial-up locomotives numbered 0-98 using their encoders, or can acquire locomotives or consists dispatched by an "advanced" throttle. When acquiring locomotives or consists that have been dispatched, the locomotives can have two-digit or four-digit numbers.
	3	Counting reversible headights mapped to function key 0 as a single function.
	4	This row indicates whether the throttle was ever sold with that capability, or whether a radio upgrade was available at one time. It does not necessarily mean that a radio upgrade is currently available from Digitrax.
	5	The UT2's programming capability is extremely limited in that it is only able to program CVs 0 through 99, and then only to set them to values 0 through 99.
	6	On utility throttles other than the UT6, this is indicated by a red light when trying to select a locomotive or consist.
	7	Expanded Slots Mode is only supported when this throttle is used with a DCS240 command station.
	8	Installing throttle firmware updates requires using a command station with a built-in computer interface or an external computer interface such as a PR3, PR4 or RR-CirKits LocoBuffer.
	9	The RF24 duplex radio transceiver module in at least some UT4D throttles can accept downloaded firmware updates. The firmware controlling the throttle's basic functionality can only be upgraded by Digitrax.

 

--Fritz Milhaupt, May 2022

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