Question for FORMER Dynatrol users

[tpatrick]

If you have moved on to DCC, what are your impressions? Do you have better train control? Is it more reliable or simpler? Did you have any problems with the transition? I have been thinking about going to DCC, but the only real plus I see is access to sound. I am not sure sound alone is worth the cost, but it may be. So your comments and experience would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

[wp8thsub]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpatrick

If you have moved on to DCC, what are your impressions? Do you have better train control?

Yes. Command signal loss was a problem with Dynatrol if your bus wires were too close together or the runs were too long, and the signal line booster didn't always guarantee you wouldn't have run-aways. Digital command signals are less susceptible to such loss.

QUOTE: Is it more reliable or simpler?

Installation and maintenance are about the same. However...DCC systems are far easier to use with throttle memory, typically standard for all tethered throttles. The old Dynastrol memory cabs were a often a pain to get operating reliably, and were limited as to how many units could be MU'ed; DCC lets you MU at will, even changing relative loco direction when you assign the units to run together (Dynatrol forced you to wire a loco backwards if you wanted it to run long hood first MU'ed to another running short hood forward). DCC also allows you to adjust throttle response electronically, allowing locos with different performance characteristics to operate well together - something Dynatrol couldn't do. Unless you have a huge roster, you won't have to worry about having more locos than available decoder (receiver) channels.

QUOTE: Did you have any problems with the transition?

None. If you can work with Dynatrol you can handle DCC easily.

QUOTE: I have been thinking about going to DCC, but the only real plus I see is access to sound. I am not sure sound alone is worth the cost, but it may be.

See above. Even without sound, there's much to recommend the current technology over the old analog Dynatrol.

[tpatrick]

Thanks, Rob, for your response. It is very enlightening. I had not considered signal loss due to long lines, and the electronic throttle adjustment is a real plus. I'm a little surprised there were not more responses, but maybe the population of former Dynatrollers is too small. At any rate I'll probably make the switch sometime soon. MRC's Prodigy Advanced looks like a good choice for the money. Thanks again.

Tim

[MichaelWD]

I like the Dynatrol for my small layout. It is a 13 X13 around the wall. Dan Bucci has bought the Dynatrol line from PSI. He is in Erie Pa. and has a website at http://www.classicdynatrol dynu.com/
If this doesnot work try a web search. I have not switched yet as the money outlay would be too great for my small RR budget. Most of the model Railroaders in this area are using Dynatrol that I know of
Mike Dickinson

[Anonymous]

our group is in the process of converting our third layout to DCC from Dynatrol.
Several good reasons for switching came to mind to cause us to switch. First, many of us have more than eighteen engines, and we had doubled up and tripled up on the same channel. secondly, we have been able to get rid of all reversing toggle switches and replace them with the reversers available with DCC that is a big one. Third, we have put in power blocks, meaning that if an engine or car derails it doesn't bring the whole railroad down. fourthly, we have gotten rid of the tranition blocks whereby you entered a section of track that was supporting multiple systems to go from one to the other. you had to stop and unplug your cab, throw the toggle switch to move into the next section, and pray there wasn't a duplicate channel running in the new seciton.

Finally, we just look at the cab number to determine what is running. Select that number and your off. Many of the these things may or may not effect you, but were really the major reasons to switch. Other than a few minor wiring changes the conversions were fairly rapid, as you needed a heavy wire for Dynatrol as well.

by the way we all love it.

Bob a.