Greetings and welcome to 2021,

This edition of the Backshop Limited features the latest product announcement from ESU!

Yes this basically the same introduction as my last newsletter but since 2021 feels exactly like 2020, I might as well repeat this too. While reviewing the new product pricing I realized I had overlooked one of the BIGGEST new product announcements of 2021. Read on...

The first question everyone asks is "When will it be available?". I have the same information as you for the most part which are the dates listed on the ESU website. I am not privileged to any unpublished information. I typically find out it's available when I get the bill.

I will gladly accept NO-OBLIGATION Pre-Orders for these items.

There are two ways to place a pre-order.

One way is to create an order on the website just like any other order. Be aware, if you enter your Credit Card info at checkout, your card will be charged immediately when you complete the order. YOU MUST SELECT AN ALTERNATE PAYMENT METHOD like Check, Money Order, or Customer Account for payment to avoid immediate charges.

I prefer the alternate payment method for pre-orders. It's really easy to cancel an order. It's really hard to refund a credit card payment. Like I said, it's no-obligation... and I never believe ANY manufacturer in this hobby when they provide a delivery date anyway.

The other way is for you to EMAIL ME with your ship to information if you are not a registered customer along with the items and quantity desired. Be sure to include a sound file number if you want a decoder pre-loaded with a sound file. I will create a backorder in the system just like any other order and you will get confirmation emails just like any other order.

In either case, I will contact you for payment by sending a PayPal invoice to the email address on the order when the items become available if payment is due. Any payment method is fine, this is just the easiest and fastest way.

It's really easy for me to manage the process this way and you don't have to keep checking the website and asking if it is here yet.

I have one additional comment about ESU products worth sharing. I still get many orders from customers requesting Version 4 Sound Files. I have to assume this is intentional and desired by the customer for their own reasons. I have checked a few times and in every case it was simply a matter of the customer not knowing their are newer and better LokSound 5 Sound Files available.

CLICK HERE to see the entire ESU Sound File Library.

As a reminder, the SBS4DCC website features Real-Time Stock Status. Please remember that orders for out-of-stock products will be delayed and restock information will be limited. The shipping status notice applies to in-stock product only.

Be sure to check out the Tutorials, Tips and Tricks section of the website. I continue to add volumes of information about different subjects I think you might find valuable.

I am frequently asked for help and information about the manufacturers warranty when a project doesn't work out the way we expected. CLICK HERE to access the Consolidated DCC Manufacturers Warranty Information page. Of course this information is subject to change and the manufacturers information is always the primary resource.

And finally... Model Railroad Operations are a blast and are a great way to get engaged in this great hobby. Operating sessions are surely limited these days so you can use this time to enjoy the OpSIG Publications - A Compendium Of Model Railroad Operations - From Design To Implementation and get to work developing your own operating sessions. You can find out more by visiting the OpSIG webite or by contacting your local NMRA chapter as well.

Bryan Vianco

Owner, SBS4DCC

Introducing the ESU 58921 LokSound 5 Direct NMRA DCC Sound Decoder - AT-Style Adapter Board w/ Integrated PowerPack

With its unique design LokSound 5 DCC Direct, with integrated PowerPack can easily replace boards that provide poor motor control, low volume, or generally inferior sound. Not only will the decoder work fine with most factory installed speakers, but it will sound even better with our new 11x15mm “sugar cube” speaker and sound enclosure kits. Worried about dead spots or pesky yard ladder switches? There’s no need as we’ve built in ESU PowerPack direct into the decoder!

The applications for this product are endless. The AT-Style Adapter Board has been used in hundreds, if not thousands, of HO scale models over the years and is still a popular Electrical Interface today.

I want to take a minute to highlight a simple improvement I have made to the website in 2021 that has been incredibly useful to me. I think will be incredibly useful to you as well.

One of the hardest questions to answer when starting an installation project is "What are my options for the electrical interface in this model?".

CLICK HERE to see my Tutorial on DCC Electrical Interface Connectors.

There are so many great choices for DCC products these days it can be difficult to identify your options.

SBS4DCC has always worked hard to standardize the product description to help identify the Electrical Interface. Now you can navigate quickly and easily to categories that group all of the available products by the Electrical Interface.

Keep in mind these categories are not intended to identify a specific decoder for a specific model. There are simply too many scales, too many models of decoders and too many variations of every locomotive model ever produced to maintain such a definitive list.

They are intended to help you narrow your focus quickly and see all of the available options easily.

You can navigate to the By Decoder Interface category quickly by CLICKING the option in the main menu on the left side of the page...

You can drill down to a specific Decoder Interface easily by CLICKING one of the sub-categories at the top of the page.

Perfect for clubs, modulars, or workbenches, the Good Deals DCC "The Programmer" is a portable, durable, convenient testing and programming track. It is available in nearly every scale from N to O as well as combination scales for those who love trains of all sizes.

Custom designed units are also available.

And don't forget we carry a fantastic selection of DCC products from all of the

best manufacturers including:

Digitrax, DCC Specialties, Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU), NCE, SoundTraxx, Tam Valley Depot, TCS, and ZIMO.

Visit SBS4DCC today!