DCC Questions

[Anonymous]

I am looking to use DCC for my first layout. How do you hook up the functions of accessories such as 1) a tortoise for the turnouts and 2) a turntable motor to the DCC system. I guess what I am asking is do these items (Tortoise and Turntable motors) come with DCC decoders that can be programmed? Again, just trying to conceptualize things as I learn more about this great hobby before I actuall start construction. Thanks in advance

[mcouvillion]

gbuczynski,

There are stationary decoders available that can be used to operate switch motors, semaphores, and the like. They are addresable and can be controlled either remotely or locally by certain throttles. Turntable motors can be operated just like an engine motor if you want to do it that way. (There was an article a year or so back in, I believe, Model Railroader showing how to do this.) The track power on the turntable can be set up to autoselect the "polarity" with something like the MRC autoreverser.

With DCC you can control most anything on the layout. To prevent information overload, start simple and do things in a orderly progression, so that you don't have too many things going at the same time. Test what you want to do on the bench, then install and debug, then move on to the next project.

Mark C.