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.
BT2 | UT1 | UT2 | UT4 | UT6 | |
Manufactured | 1995- 1998 |
1995- 2005 |
1998- 2005 |
2005- 2020 |
2020- |
Native 2-Digit/4-Digit Addressing | 2/41 | 2/42 | 2/42 | 2/4 | 2/4 |
Number of Functions Supported3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 29 |
Direction control switch | Button | Toggle | Toggle | Toggle | Toggle |
Potentiometer speed control knob | - | ![]() |
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- |
Encoder speed control knob(s) | ![]() |
- | - | - | ![]() |
Infrared Wireless Capability | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Simplex Radio Capability Available (R)4 | - | - | - | ![]() |
- |
Duplex Radio Capability Available (D)4 | - | - | - | ![]() |
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Ability to Program Decoders | - | - | ![]() |
- | - |
BT2 | UT1 | UT2 | UT4 | UT6 | |
Ability to Create or Modify Consists | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Highest Stationary Decoder Address | - | 99 | 99 | - | 2048 |
Number of Throttle Knobs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Throttle Power On/Off Switch | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Track Power On/Off | - | ![]() |
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- | ![]() |
Indicator for Multiple Throttles Controlling Same Loco6 | ![]() |
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Supports Expanded Slots Mode (more than 120 throttles)7 | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Locomotive Recall Stack Depth | - | - | - | - | 6 |
Color Display | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
On-Screen Menu | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
BT2 | UT1 | UT2 | UT4 | UT6 | |
RF Channel Scanning (Duplex models, only) | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
RF Signal Strength Indicator (Duplex models, only) | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Edit System Duplex Group Name and Channel | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Display Fast Clock Time | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Edit Fast Clock Time | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Battery | - | - | - | 9V | 3xAA |
Battery Level Indicator | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Optional Rechargeable Battery Pack Available | - | - | - | - | ![]() |
Downloadable Firmware Updates8 | - | - | - | ![]() |
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BT1 | UT1 | UT2 | UT4 | UT6 |
Notes
--Fritz Milhaupt, May 2022
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