I have seen the light!

[MisterBeasley]

Yes, the light at the end of the tunnel IS an oncoming train! What a beautiful sight! But the real thing is DCC. Having a bunch of old DC equipment, I had planned on operating some kind of dual-mode layout for a while. Then, I bought my Lenz 100 system and a couple of decoders.

Tonight, I ran my first 1-man, 2-train "op session." A loop of track, a single passing siding, a couple of short climbs to nowhere-yet. Passenger Ops - a Bowser PCC car (still unpainted) and my Lifelike P1K subway train.

After 10 minutes, I pulled out a screwdriver and took the wires off the old DC power pack. It will live on, powering LEDs, but from now on ALL the trains are going to be DCC. There's no comparison. The old boys will have to run as Engine Zero until I can convert them, but even that process starts this weekend. I am NEVER going back.

[bogp40]

'Tis a wonderful thing, DCC. Couldn't even think of wiring a large cab controlled layout. Spaggetti of wiring everywhere. And the days of 1 block ahead, one your in, and one behind are no more than old history. But you can have some incredeble accidents if not following a train.
Bob K.

[selector]

Hee, hee, heeeeeeee! We knew we'd getcha.

[howmus]

Ah, yes, MisterBeasley! DCC is way cool and quite addictive. I have had it for just a few months and actually ENJOY running trains now. [:D]

[MisterBeasley]

Stay focused on the track laying. Those trains are running on un-ballasted tracks. Stay focused on the scenery. Those subway tunnels have no tops Stay focused on the wiring. Everything under the table is held together with alligator clips. Stay focused on the coupler conversions. 3/4 of the fleet is still horn-hooks. Don't be draw over to the seductive allure of operating trains with DCC. Oh, why am I sitting at this silly computer when I could be running trains? Gotta go. Spock out.

[SpaceMouse]

I get my Zephyr tomorrow. Yea brethren, I shall cast the evil DC to the N scale switchers and bathe in the light (and sound) of the Digitrax. Hallelujah brothers.

[claycts]

[:D][:D][:D] YES DCC, if it was only less expensive to convert 23 engines!! It costs me 1 piece of Waterford Crystal PLUS the decoder per engine!

[Anonymous]

LOL if you guys think buying dcc is great, just wait til you buy a 10 pack of decoders and get to put them all in. Thats GREAT!!! I had figured it would be 2 or 3 years before i got to go DCC. Now i'm all dcc and haven't laid the first piece of track, but man they look good on the club layout.(especiall since all the headlights are now LED's...

[rrinker]

Truly it is a wonderful thing! Right now I can independently control 4 trains - 2 on my DT400 throttle,one on the Zephyr console, and one on the computer via JMRI, although the most I attempt myself is 3, one on each loop and one switcjing back and forth on the portion of the yard I hae complete.
Of course the more trains I run, the less work gets done on the layout...

10-packs are the way to buy decoders, I've converted about 10 locos so far and am halfway through a 10-pack. For those that don't have a direct plug-in for a decoder, I can heartily recommend the NCE D13SRJ. 4 functions, and a 10 pack will cost just under $12 each. Hard to beat that kind of deal. The extra versatility in control is easily worth $12 per loco.

--Randy

[jacon12]

Congradulations Mr. Beasley. Coming to the hobby as late in life as I have, I did not have the pleasure of running DC, I only know DCC.
I too have hit a slow spot. Once I thought I'd have this model railroad done in a year, now I think it will be more like 3 to 5. It depends very much on my ability to go in the train room and actually do some constructive work and not crank up a train and watch it run. Ahhhh.... but the fun in doing that!
Jarrell

[pathvet9]

And my Zephyr should be in the driveway when I get home tomorrow. Cannot wait to hook up!

[:D]

[John Richards]

After many decades of D.C., I must admit this DCC is a bit like "Voodoo" to
me, but nevertheless a lot of fun.
Just wait until you buy a DCC for Dummies book and have a read, it will
boggle your mind.;-}
good luck,
John.