What do you use, plan to use, want to use??
There are obvious benefits to DCC and DC too.
What system do you use?
There are obvious benefits to DCC and DC too.
What system do you use?
DC or DCC??
- Thread starter iis612
- Start date
N
nachoman
I am using a standard MRC dc power pack until I get all my track layed. It is basically just to test my trackwork.
Once the track gets layed, I am 99% sure I will get an inexpensive bachmann DCC unit to play around with.
Once I get decoders in all my locos and get to some stage where I am attempting to operate more, I may get another DCC system and leave the bachmann for temporary setups and holiday displays.
Kevin
Once the track gets layed, I am 99% sure I will get an inexpensive bachmann DCC unit to play around with.
Once I get decoders in all my locos and get to some stage where I am attempting to operate more, I may get another DCC system and leave the bachmann for temporary setups and holiday displays.
Kevin
if you had the option i would have used both,cause my 4 by 8 is going to be DC as only 1 trai will run at a time. and my larger more complicated layout will be simplified with a DCC system.--josh
When I got back in the hobby after 25 years out, I started with dc, learned about dcc, switched to Ez Command, then NCE. No regrets at all.
Loren
Loren
I'm currently using DC with a wireless walk-around throttle and power-routing turnouts which works great for a medium-sized, one-operator layout like mine.
I am beginning to build a series of "dominoes" that will also serve as a test platform for DCC.
The main obstacles to conversion to DCC on the main layout are (a) co$t, and (b) non-convertible locomotives that I'm not willing to get rid of just to have DCC.
I am beginning to build a series of "dominoes" that will also serve as a test platform for DCC.
The main obstacles to conversion to DCC on the main layout are (a) co$t, and (b) non-convertible locomotives that I'm not willing to get rid of just to have DCC.
I voted DC , because people would laugh at me if I use DCC for such a tiny N scale layout .
Jacques
Jacques
I'm going to start with DC just in order to get things up and running as inexpensively as possible. Since none of my motive power which is weight restricted prototypically to the 4-4-0 wheel arrangement is available with RP-25 wheelsets I will have to kitbash-scratchbuild my motive power. With this in mind I am reasonably certain that I can mount a Digitrax decoder and 1" speaker in the tenders of both the Pennsy modern D-16, and a CNJ 4-4-0 Camelback. The two Baldwin generic modern 4-4-0's are somewhat problematic and may have to have some sort of mod. Would an N gauge decoder/spkr work? I don't know. The "Yellow Jacket" was a single vehicle verticle boiler steam powered inspection unit that was used to carry the mail, packages, and passengers to Barnegat City, known as Barnegat Light today.
At some point I want to be able to run the Pennsy "Seashore Express" from Camden to Beach Haven, stopping at Barnegat village to pick up CNJ passengers also bound for Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, NJ. This was the route that my grandparents took from NYC. In addition, the Tuckerton Rail Road will be running its regular mixed and freight service to Beach Haven and Barnegat City. In all, I expect that we could have something like 5 consists running similtaneousy.
Yeah, I have golden dreams on a copper budget! Oh Well! I can dream can't I?
At some point I want to be able to run the Pennsy "Seashore Express" from Camden to Beach Haven, stopping at Barnegat village to pick up CNJ passengers also bound for Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, NJ. This was the route that my grandparents took from NYC. In addition, the Tuckerton Rail Road will be running its regular mixed and freight service to Beach Haven and Barnegat City. In all, I expect that we could have something like 5 consists running similtaneousy.
Yeah, I have golden dreams on a copper budget! Oh Well! I can dream can't I?
I'm actually getting ready to remove DCC from all my locos, since I am unable to continue my membership at the club and I have no desire to fork over the necessary coin to install a system on my small layouts. I'm currently working on a shorting plug to fit all my DigiTrax 9 pin connectors so that they can remain wired for any future financial windfall.
I run dcc at the club, but the plan right now is to run dc at home. My home layout will be a switching layout based on the Los Angeles Junction Railway, and will only run one locomotive. The only "kicker" in the equation is that it must be a cordless walk around throttle. I have the basic "Train Engineer" from Crest which used to be Aristo Craft. The only possible problem is that the throttle has a built in momentum and braking. My experience is that momentum and braking done electronically is about as unprototypical as having directional lighting that cannot be bypassed. Having realistic acceleration and braking is fine, but the "dead time" between when you turn on the throttle and the locomotive moves, or when you shut off the throttle and the train stops is not prototypical. If I can learn to use the throttle so that I don't have to wait forever to get a train moving from stop or have difficulty getting it to stop where I want it, I'll stay with dcc. If I find the throttle delays unacceptable, I'll go with dcc. I just don't know of any other wireless alternative.
As of now one of the HO club's has gone DCC..The other HO club has shelved the idea till we get the cash.The N Scale club has decided DC for now since that is what the majority uses on their small home layouts.
Now here I sit at a decision point.Currently I don't have room for a HO ISL(Industrial Switching Layout) However,I do have room for a 2x4 foot N Scale layout.At this time I am debating if I want to use BASIC DCC with Bachmann's EZ DCC system or use my trusty MRC CM-20 should I decide to build a small N Scale layout..In case you are wondering it is possible to have 2 train operation on a 2x4 footer .
I agree Brakie, my 25" X 36" layout ( see picture above ) is divided in 4 blocks and I can run 2 trains .
Jacques
L
lester perry
I was a die hard DCer. then I bought a BLI C&O T1. It would run on DC with the sound. but it had momentum that I couldn"t get rid of the momentum with DC,so I started shopping. I decided I liked MRC Prodogy Advanced. Watched ads and ran across a sale in Model Rairoader. It had a typo and prodogy advance was $180. I called they they were not very happy but sold it to me for that price. I got 2 more decoders with sound for GP7 or 9. Installed them and never looked back. The typo was Tonys trains.
Les
Les
I also have the Digitrax Zephyr along with a UR91 and a DT400R. Also my latest addition was the DS64 for turnout control
My layout is DC because it's small and I have a lot of stock (much of it is 30- to 45-years-old) that is already DC. It would cost a lot to convert at this point.
I recently considered DCC when I learned that it's actually quite easy to convert my older locos but the cost (and time?) is putting me off. I have about 24 locos and the change over would cost a lot, even if I just converted half of them.
If I ever build a large layout one day, I might consider DCC, but right now DC is just fine for me.
Rob
I recently considered DCC when I learned that it's actually quite easy to convert my older locos but the cost (and time?) is putting me off. I have about 24 locos and the change over would cost a lot, even if I just converted half of them.
If I ever build a large layout one day, I might consider DCC, but right now DC is just fine for me.
Rob