BTW if you shop around it should be more like $15-20 per decoder, not $30. Keep in mind you'll probably spread it out over several years. When you do convert, start with the engines you use the most, or good running engines that are easy to convert (that have "plug and play" receptacles, or are set up for "drop-in" lightboard replacements. I went DCC in 2004, I set up my existing layout to be able to run DC or DCC. I still have a few old engines that I haven't converted, but eventually I will get them all done. Right now my new layout is smaller than the old one, so I'm only using DCC/Sound equipped engines.
Second, keep in mind you don't have to spend $700 to buy a DCC system all at once. Most manufacturers allow you to add on over time - you could start out with something like a Digitrax Zephyr for $100-150 and be running trains in DCC, then buy a UT-4R or other walkaround controller for about the same $$ that will allow you to run trains with a walkaround. The UT-4R is radio equipped, so later you can add a radio receiver for maybe $150-200 and be running under radio control. You don't have to buy everything up front.
Indeed,50 locos are an important investment to retrofit so I do understand your point fully.I too have over a dozen steamers that aren't even DCC ready and probably will never be retrofitted simply because their value isn't that great to start with,and prices being what they are,I'd rather spend my hobby budget on more important issues.Only my most precious ones will be,likely with sound.BTW,I didn't mean to create any upsetting,my apologies if such was the case.
I too am planning a layout with the difference that this is my first serious one,so I've been purchasing DCC items gradually for the last four years and don't own that much hardware other than two DC throttles.However,I'm planning a double main line with one being set as an occasional DC powered main so that I can run my older locos.The other main line will be DCC all the time.To achieve this,I'll use a DPDT switch to select either DC or DCC to the track and this part is easy.But what will be more complex is that I'll need relays to kill the power to the crossover controls so that no loco can ever cross the gap between DC and DCC.The hybrid track will have no other link to the layout electrical system and all the sidings that are linked to it will be powered by the same DPDT switch.I might also link a short yard to this track but I'll need to install individual shut-off switches to each tracks so that I can leave a few DC locos parked on them.Since this track will be a simple loop around the layout,there will be no real block control to speak of.
This way,I'll be able to run my DC Bershire alongside one of my DCC Challengers and both will run fine with their own power.I won't be able to have them meet,but that's the price to pay.
I've read somewhere that DCC locos can run on DC power when a proper CV is set to allow this operation.My sound equipped steamers do this automatically (Athearn,MRC decoders) but then I need a special handheld control (supplied) for the sound options in that mode.
I like your idea about being able to mix DC and DCC engines on your layout with block control providing isolation. I know we have some equipment that won't (or can't) make the tranistion to DCC if and when we jump in.
What happens when you run a DCC engine on DC track?
I was more asking if DCC engines will run on a DC layout? it's good to know that dc engines will run on a dcc layout.
We have all the power supplies, etc from our current layout. I understand on the new layout, it will be more work to wire for DC\Block control, but a conversion to DCC is alot of $ for us..... we have around 50 engines today. At $30+ a pop that's $1,500, providing nothing gets sent to Aztek for milling. A wireless DCC system (as far as I can tell) with two throttles is looking like about $700.
We don't need to be sold on the value of DCC- we're believers, it's just alot of money (particularly in today's economy).
thanks
I've had DC since Moby Dick was a minnow, but 3 or 4 years ago I took the plunge to DCC. I still run DC, by using a simple switch box. I instaled a DPDTCO (double pole, double throw, center off) switch in an elect box from a big box home center. I fed the DC power to one side of the switch, and the DCC to the other side - that's it!!! There were no changes made to the DC block set up, and having seperate blocks allows me to turn off the DCC sound locos that are not running. I have a double loop setup, and I could add another switch to allow one loop to run DCC while the other runs DC, giving some of my many older DC locos some run time!! (the loops are seperated to different blocks, so running the 2 sources won't cause a short or other elect problems!) My
I do not know your personal situation but I admit I don't understand your thinking.If you are planning on going DCC and haven't purchased anything yet,I don't see any purpose in buying all the stuff you'll need to go "block control" DC.Block control will require that you buy quite a few switches,controls,extra wiring,etc and that is without considering the much more complicated wiring schematic(with the eventual troubleshooting) to have all this functioning properly.Add to this the DC power supplies (one for each trains) and you are probably over the cost of a good basic DCC system like the Zephyr,for instance,with possibly the cost of a few decoders.DC may seem cheaper than DCC but all the extra hardware adds up pretty quickly and since DCC prices are more and more affordable,I believe there isn't much saving going DC other than for very simple layouts that don't require much block controls.
On the other hand,if you already have a lot of your controls and materials on hand and own an important DC powered roster,then I understand that you don't want to invest on DCC as of now.However,you'll still have to deal with the more complex wiring and substantially increased building time.
Yes,DC locos will run on DCC powered tracks using adress 00,but you can't leave them on the tracks when not running.And also yes,most if not all DCC locos will run on DC providing the proper CV has been set to do so.
Not that we're any closer to even having a design, but we do have a couple of questions for when we get over the design phase quagmire we're in.
We're going to build it for DC with block control. We just can't bite off a DCC conversion for a while (and I'll bet for some of the n-scale things we have from Japan or Europe, it may be tough to convert).
Anyway, I'm assuming that if I do NOT do common rail wiring for the layout, we'll be "DCC ready"? Does this mean that all we may have to do is simnply plug the DCC power into one of the DC popwer inputs in our control panel, flip all the block control to that input, and we'd be set? Am I missing something? What other considerations would we want to have, or things we need to do?
I realize that our DC engines won't run on the DCC track, but what about the other way around? What are any issues for when we run the few that we'd start converting over to DCC with the (bulk) of our equipment that's stil DC?
I was also browsing the member's section, and while I've seen reviews of some DCC equipment, I haven't seen any side-by-side comparisons.
For other info, our new layout, (if and when it gets built) will be 8.5' x 7', around the walls, mostly 2' deep. we're n-scale, and would go the wireless dcc route ('cuz if you're gonna do dcc, wireless is pretty cool) ;-) it will be just two operators (throttles). It's a semi-modular layout, meaning, it's in sections so we can actually get it into the house when it's built.
TIA