Which DCC for beginner?

[Anonymous]

First, thanks to everyone on this super site! Anything you want to know is here, thanks to all you experts. You're great! My question: I have a small N scale RR, 3 by 6 feet, basically two reverse loops with a passing track between them, for two trains. It's DC now, with Atlas electrical stuff (I know that's really bad and old fashioned), with common rail wiring...well...you probably know all about that stuff used since the 1950's. It's hard to learn how to 'play the piano' with all those switches, flipping them as the trains move in a small area!
If I go DCC with such a small layout, which beginner DCC system would be easiest for a guy who hates wiring? Will it be hard to rewire the DC layout? Are DCC equipped locos easy to find in N scale? Is it hard to wire reverse loops? I'm hearing words like Atlas, Digitrax, Lenz. I don't know which is best, and I'm not good at technical stuff. Any help from users? I'm also low budget, like so many of us. If you can't answer all this, an answer to any of it would be great!

[tstage]

geoeisele,

Off the top of my head. With your small N-scale layout, technical limitatons, and budget, probably the ideal introductory system for you would be the Bachmann EZ Commander. Although it's not the ideal, you can basically run your trains with two wires. Since you already have your layout wired for DC, and you don't have any electriclal issues with it, you should be able to tie in DCC with no problems.

The Bachmann EZ Commander is a very basic and simple system with 10 function buttons, 2 direction buttons, one emergency stop button and one trottle - all in about the size of 4 x 6 index card about 1" thick.

Some guys have said that the Bachmann is so "EZ" to install that they've been able to get their locomotives programmed, and up and going in a matter of minutes. TurboOne just got one and really likes it. He would be a good source for you to talk and ask questions to.

Granted, compared to the other more sophisticated DCC systems out there, the EZ Commander is limited, but it would probably suit you and your small layout just fine. And the price is very friendly for DCC. If you decide that there's no turning back, and/or you want to expand your layout to a larger one, you can always upgrade to something better.

Since the EZ Commander only has an output of 1 amp, with HO you can usually only run one DCC equipped locomovitve at a time. With N, two should not be a problem. At discount, you should be able to pick it up for about $70-80.

You'll need to either purchase a DCC-equipped locomotive or purchase a DCC-ready locomotive and install the decoder yourself. (A "small" and not-so-small task in N-scale.)

A reversing loop is greatly simplified and automated using DCC. You don't have to be preoccupied throwing switches, like you do under DC. You can actually enjoying running your trains, rather than running your layout.

Tony's Train Exchange would be a great resource for you. They have a link on the main page of their web site entitled, DCC For Beginners!. It's definitely worth downloading and read to get a better understanding of things. Tony's also sells their own reversing loop module and can guide you in installing decoders or you can purchase the locomotive from them and have them install it for you. Here's their link:

http://www.tonystrains.com

Here's the PDF file link for DCC For Beginners!

http://www.tonystrains.com/download/DCC-for-Beginners.pdf

Hope that's a help...

Tom

[Anonymous]

I agree with the Bachman idea, however you should be able to run two HO engines with the system - at least - unless really old lousy motored engines. I have a saying and it goes: "the worst DCC is better than the best DC." The Bachman system is just about the worst, but it will allow you simplified wiring and the running of more than one engine.

Look on Eb ay and I bet you can purchase an older MRC 2000 which was one of the first "easy" DCC systems to come on the market in NOrth America. Its power source can go higher than one amp. Its station has three throttles on it, and I think it is as good, if not better than the new Bachman deal. And... I bet you will be able to find a deal on it cheaper than the Bachman unit.

[TurboOne]

[#welcome] George, I sent you an email, but my sytem seems to be having email issues, it probably will work sometime in the morning. Anyway, I got mine about 1 month ago. I watched the DVD that came with it, looked at the book and hooked up two wires to a terminal track and made a loop. Mine came with a DCC engine. In less than 1 minute, I had train. I turned the headlights on, and then off. If you had sound in your engine, it also works off of function buttons. I made the engine go foward and backwards. Wooo Hooo it worked with no fuss, no muss. You do need to change the engine from default #3 as all engines start there. That means if you have more than one, they all will run under the one number. I changed it in about 1 minute, had to look at the book, and made it #4. I have seen two HO engines run, so 2 or 3 in N shouldn't be a problem. They are coming out with more add on, ie more power, more control, and such, but as it isn't available this second, I will believe it when I see it. I got mine with a DCC loco for $85. I've seen the locos for $43, so I figure I got the controller for $42.[8D][8D] If it expands great, if not that is fine, I got to learn, the wiring compared to DC is nothing. Main line and add some feeders. As I only have a 4 x 8 loop, I just have the one pair of wires, 18 gauge wire. I will be adding a second loco this weekend, I will let you know how both engine do. Also the all stop button is great. If you panic, and don't want a headon with the trains, hit the stop button, all the trains stop instanly.

I highly recommend it as a good starter unit. The big ones can do more, but i will not be running more than 10 trains on my little layout. It will do most anything, just not as expandable for now, and not for a club layout.

Take it at your speed, don't rush, make sure it does what you want. Once I had it demonstrated, I had to have a DCC, and it had to meet Tim criteria (cheap)

If you want to know more, just ask. [:D]

Take care George,[:)]

Tim

[Anonymous]

I've emailed all three who've replied, but thanks again, and I hope this thread will also help other people who are considering DCC for the first time. On a very small layout and budget, the Bachmann system sounds outstanding. Some of us still exist in the hobby who are not interested in big layouts with lotsa trains. Two is enough, and this system sounds like it'll be great. Thanks again. George :-)

[TurboOne]

Check online for the sale prices, I will check at the store where I got mine this weekend just to see if they have more. Most want $140 which is list, so good luck George.

Tim

[Anonymous]

Ok, I'm probably biased here, but I'd say the Lenz Compact is the best entry-level DCC system. It can do far more programming than the Bachmann system and can handle 99 loco addresses against the 9 of the Bachmann unit. I bought mine 2 weeks ago now and it's great - I've fitted five locos out so far, three with the Bachmann decoders (these are very cheap but not too shabby, they're not silent but the noise isn't that obtrusive to me) and the other two have the Lenz decoders that came with the starter kit. The only problem I've heard of is that the Compact has a slightly high track voltage (19v rather than 16v) though this would only appear to be a problem with sound-equipped locos - I've not had any trouble with mine so far and there is a fix that can be applied. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Matt, off subject here, but are you anywhere near the Megafobia roller coaster? It's awesome, as you know! I have never ridden it, but have read about it with envy! Anyway, thanks for your Lenz suggestion. I'll be shopping around for a long time, since saving will not be easy on my low income. Your profile shows you are obviously an extremely intelligent and talented person. Best of luck to you in your career, and thanks again for writing. George

[Anonymous]

For N scale and sheer simplicity the MRC Command 2000 works good. My wife uses this on her layout and I use the same on my HO layout (though, since I want to get into sound, I will be upgrading). I am using the Command 2000 with a digitrax 3amp power supply which allows me to run 6-8 powered locos at one time.

My wife uses the MRC power supply which has a 12/16v switch which is set to 12v for her N layout. Very easy to use, though limited to 28 speed steps and not fully NMRA compliant. Only has one accessory function. She runs 6 or 7 powered locos at one time regularly.

[chateauricher]

What about Atlas Commander ? [%-)] What are people's thoughts about that one? [?]

turbo-one : you don't say what dcc system you bought. [?]

[Anonymous]

turbo-one says he has the Bachmann EZ system. I am still wondering about the availability of DCC equipped engines in n scale. Any ideas?

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by geoeisele

turbo-one says he has the Bachmann EZ system. I am still wondering about the availability of DCC equipped engines in n scale. Any ideas?

Atlas has produced some locomotives in recent years that come with a decoder already in them. ANd most newer N scale locos, there are replacement board avaialble from one DCC manufacturer or another, Digitrax in particular has a large line of board replacement decoders built for specific locos.
Heck, I've seen a DCC AND sound equipped diesel in N scale - and it sounded pretty good considerign the size of the speaker.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

You'll also need a couple of reversing modules for your reverse loops. Since you should already have these broken into blocks for your DC operation, it should be no problem to hook each reverse loop to it's own reversing module. The rest of the layout can all run off one pair of wires. If you used color coded wire for you DC wiring, just match up the same color and tie them all together using a contact block or two.

[Anonymous]

I have the Bachmann EZ system and in my opinion its not only cheap but its basically DCC for dummies. I've ran my 2 Broadway Limited Imports Quantum Sound Equiped locomotives and the Bachmann DCC loco that came with it with no problems. I highly recommend it for the begginer. Only flaw I can point out is for those with sound equiped locos using the F9 function button to shut down loco doesnt function on this system. I simply just press F8 function key to mute the sound if I'm parking the loco for a few while driving others.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Kleimeyer and Trainsaint. (I thanked Randy, too, in emal!) Excellent info. I am really leaning toward the Bachmann stuff, since I am far from an advanced modeler. I just like to build a small layout, put up some mountains, valleys, and trees, and watch 'em roll. Bachmann sounds like my kind of system. Right now, I'm only actually starting the DC wiring of my new layout, and that's why I'm thinking DCC. So much easier to operate and wire.

[TurboOne]

Trainsaint, you don't have an email or I would do this offline. The only thing I didn't like is their manual, and no support listed on website. I tried to use ask mr bachmann, but they don't have registered users, so it takes forever to find your post, if at all.

Haven't been back for a while to their site, maybe they updated it.

Tim

[TurboOne]

Hey guys, here is a EZ DCC update for those interested. These are retail prices, street should be about 30% or so less.

The following are some of the E-Z Command accessories items with their item number and current MSRP as listed by Walthers.
Item
44907 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- Walk-Around Companion w/Connector Wires 87.95

44908 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- Walk-Around Companion Panel Connector w/Connector Wire 32.95

44909 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- Turn-Out & Accessory Controller w/Readout 139.95

44910 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- System Power Booster - 5 Amp 149.95

44911 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- Turn Out & Accessory Decoder 69.95

44912 E-Z Command System DCC Accessories -- Automatic Reversing Loop Module 64.95

44913 E-Z Command 1 Amp Decoder w/Wiring Harness (28/128 Speed Step) -- Single 22.95

44914 E-Z Command 1 Amp Decoder w/Wiring Harness (28/128 Speed Step) -- Set of 3 66.95

44915 E-Z Command 1 Amp Decoder w/NMRA Plug (28/128 Speed Step) -- Single 24.95

44916 E-Z Command 1 Amp Decoder w/NMRA Plug (28/128 Speed Step) -- Set of 3 71.95


Hope it helps

Tim

[Anonymous]

Yea bachmann support is not at all good.. emailed them with question about an engine months ago and no response. But the EZ DCC is a good starter system and you can pick one up without an engine for about $60 on Ebay. I really like mine although I'm considering jumping to a higher end system once I can afford one just for the added functionality. My 3 1/2 year old son is able to work the EZ system by him self after I programmed locos though and will be getting mine when I do move to a higher system[:)]

[TurboOne]

By the wy TrainSaint, I got my DCC with loco for $85. don't know if they screwed up, but what a buy. Had to at that price.

Tim [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

ANYTHING is better than a Botchmann!!!!!
But on a small layout like you have, why would you even think about DCC?
Just how many trains can you run at one time?
I would save your money and buy some quality rolling stock.
It's like anything else, "You get what you pay for."
If I was interested in getting started in DCC, I would first check out the one from Atlas because of their track record in the hobby.
gtr

[Anonymous]

gtr, you ask a good question, and I am wiring it up now for DC only, with DCC a future thing. Two trains will run, with two reversing loops, so throwing the block switches and turnout switches could become kinda frantic, or may get easier with time. We'll see. You make a good point, though. GE

[rrinker]

I propose that a small layout is an even BETTER candidate for DCC than a large one - a 'small layout' being something more than just a loop with a siding or two. Why? Because with a small layout and DC block wiring, there either aren't enough blocks, or the blocks are too short, simply because there isn't enough track. With DCC, it all goes away, and you can effectively run two trains with no frantic toggle flipping, just sit back and enjoy. And when that small layout has a reverse loop or two - you either better be good with the toggle flipping, or stop the train in the reversing section while you flip the toggle, because again, there isn't a lot of time because of the short track length. DCC completely eliminates this (if you use an auto-reverse module).

--Randy

[Anonymous]

You're right, Randy. I have two reverse loops, so DCC would make my 3 by 6 foot n scale pike a lot more fun. What a great world we live in when we can seriously ponder such things in our recreational time!

[Anonymous]

You might also want to consider the Prodigy Advance by MRC. Lots of features for the money.