DCC how-to recommendations??

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a good source for information on DCC. I know very little, and want to make sure I wire my layout properly, pick the proper components, etc. I have heard a little about a book, I believe it's called "DCC Made Easy" by Lionel Strang. Is this a good source, or would you recommend something else??
Thanks!!
Tim

[Anonymous]

Strang's book is a good guide to the basics. "The Big Book of DCC" from Digitrax has a lot more advanced stuff that would be a good follow-on to "DCC Made Easy".

And for general, real-world info, there's http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ .

[hminky]

I have a web page on how I did the wiring on my 4x8 On30 layout. I used common phone components found at home improvemet stores.

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/wiring/

That page is the power bus, the control bus wiring is at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/dcc/

Hope that helps someone
Harold
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/

[ClinchValleySD40]

Agree. Before you buy any book, check out the web site Joe posted. And the book by Strang is very very basic.

[jfugate]

MyMemoirs Video has taken my DCC clinic I presented at the National Convention this last July and put it to video. See: http://model-trains-video.com .

The clinic is a compilation of key learnings I've made from 11 years of using DCC in regular operating sessions on my HO Siskiyou Line, and covers some practical things the other sources mentioned do not cover in any depth.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips. I need "very basic" to get started. I looked at the site joe recommends and can't believe the amount of info it contains. I need to understand more about bus wires, sub-bus, etc, to know how to do it right, so the Strang book may be just right for me. I appreciate all of you guys and your help. Again, thanks a bunch!!

[cacole]

There's a wealth of DCC beginner's questions and answers at Tony's Train Exchange, too. Click on the topic, 'DCC for Beginners" or download the document and read through it with Acrobat Reader. It's at http://www.tonystrains.com

[Anonymous]

Hi Tim

I can read, I just don't enjoy it much. So, as a newbie to DCC, I downloaded the instructions of the equipment, such as the starter systems from both NCE and Digitrax, decoder selection and programming info, etc

It is not rocket science. You already know what the bus wires are, you just don't know the term.

Reading info at Tony's and other little web sites that people here mention. If you have decided on a system, or at least a manufacturer, subscribe to thier email list serve and read and ask questions.

Have fun with this stuff. I'm a newbie and I sure am!

Jim Lederer

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input!!
Maybe that's one of my problems. I try to read everything I can get my hands on. I don't want buyers remorse!! I think I end up researching things to death and end up with so much info it's tough to choose. I have almost limited my choices to 2 systems. I like the features and the cost of the Digitrax Zephyr, but I also like the Crest HO Train Engineer, though the decoders can be a little pricey (for me). I have my beginning benchwork up, and I have most of my supplies. I want to start laying track now, but I want to make sure it will be acceptable for whatever DCC I choose. I have ordered a few books and also downloaded from the above mentioned sites, so things are looking up.

[Anonymous]

Actually, Tim, I'm guilty of the same thing. I often go nuts researching my purchases. I have to run to the Consumer Reports web site before I buy a stupid toaster! lol. I just can't buy anything because some salesman says its good and right for me.

It seemed, though, that the more I read about DCC, the more I saw there is nothing to it. How many paragraphs can you read about command stations and boosters, etc? I learned the difference in the technologies that NCE and Digitrax use, but that stuff will never mean anything to a little guy like me.

Anyway, I do reaize that learning all the facts before making a leap is the right thing to do.

I am about to make my purchase. I would really like to get the Zephyr, and expand it as I need to, but right from the start, I would be pushing it, amperage wise. And the console throttle is useless for me. So, I'm probably going to bite the bullet and buy one of the bigger starter systems to start with.

I will be buying my DCC stuff at Tony's in Vermont. I have not bought from him, but I have spoken with him on the phone, and like everyone else here says, he is a really nice guy. If you have something that is nagging you, call Tony's and they will answer your question, and they won't be in a hurry to hang up.

I'm only delaying my purchase because I may be driving up to the old Plattsburgh NY air base next week, which is not that far from Tony's, and I would like to stop in his place and shake hands and say hello.

Jim

[rrinker]

Well, I have a lot of locomotives to convert to DCC (not all mine), and I'm always looking for ways to keep the cost down. Those simple drop in decoders are VERY easy to install, but pricey. It makes sense to me for certain models like Proto2000 where it's only a few dollars more than the cheap decoders AND you don't have to replace the low voltage light bulbs.
However, for the other locos that need decoders, I'm looking at TCS. I think they are the lowest-cost decoders on the market right now, I picked up a few from a dealer at a recent train show for $14.95! These come with a wiring harness that must be soldered in, but have a plug on the decoder side. But then, I'm not afraid of the soldering iron...
My first victim (err, project) is my Stewart DS4-4-1000. Won on eBay for less than half MSRP! This kind of stuff keeps me in the game without raising the ire of the better half. Anyway, this loco already had an NMRA 8-pin socket to plug a decoder in, and so can be done the easy way, except decoders with wiring harnesses to plus in typically go for $24+. Or I could use the $14.95 TCS decoder AND add the $5 harness made specifically for this loco. OR I could just desolder the 8 pin socket and solder the wires for the stock TCS T1 decoder in place. Take a guess on which I am going to do. Don't worry, I will take pictures all along the way. Should there be a need to return to DC operation (not that the TCS decoder won't run on DC - but decodered locomotives typically run slower on DC than non-decodered), there are dummy plugs available for the 9-pin JST connectors, so it's not like I will be 'ruining' the loco in some way.
I have a few others I want to do this with as well, notably a Stewart F7. The bottom line is, you don't have to go broke to go DCC. Think of it as kit building vs RTR - there are a lot of nice RTR cars on the market today that are ALSO available in kit form. The kits are usually half the price. OK, so it takes you a few evenings to put it together - well, this IS a hobby after all, it's not like there is a deadline like at work where you MUST have 20 cars rolling by the end of the day.

--Randy