DCC in N-Scale

[Anonymous]

Good afternoon, I feel it's time to go to DCC, I'm hoping for any tips, advice or pointers to lead me in the right direction. I model the Lehigh Valley, a ton of Alco equipment. My first concern, is if I'm going to be able to fit decoders under the hoods of RS-2,RS-3 and other narrow hood engines. [8D]

[Kent]

Yes, it's a pain to put a decoder in an Atlas RS-3,. I did it last year, lots of hand filing but it's do-able. You need the SMALLEST decoder you can get, like a Lenz LE0511 or one of DIgutrax's DZ serises (z-scale) decoders.

[Anonymous]

Some older engines might be a pain. I forget the name of the company, but you can take out your old frame, send it to them with something like $10 and they send you a milled one back.

I'm in N and have used DCC for about 4 years now. Overall you will be very happy with it. If you can afford it, when buying your system, buy a second throttle (cab) at the same time. As soon as you get home, and have the dcc unit up and running, you'll want some one else to run with you - hence the second throttle.

Digitrax is the largest player in North American and Lenz is the largest player in Europe. In my area, Digitrax has been around for 8 or 9 years, and Lenz is just beginning to make an entry beyound the occassional unit sold.

You don't say how large your layout is or how many operators run it (mine will only handle a maximum of three operators, hence my interest in computer running of trains, while we operators do our thing). The Digitrax Zephyr is the best entry level system out there, period. The Super Chief is their top end model. I bought the Chief (but not Super) about 4 years ago.

I personally like using the same system that others around me are using in Vancouver, BC. If and when I run into a problem, I have some one I can talk to directly and do a show and tell. I do not recommend you be the only guy in your town with a different system to all the rest or you'll hear something like this: "Well on my system if I had the problem, I'd do this and that, but I don't know what to tell you on your system."

[Anonymous]

Rick;
I'm going to set up my N-scale layout for DCC also, and have a question about switch machines -- Are you using DCC stationary decoders and electric machines, or do you manually move the points? Have you (or anyone out there) used the newer under table Atlas code 55 machines or their older under table machines? Any recomendations?

[Anonymous]

I plan on using decoders for my switch machines eventually, but right now my priority is to get everything up and running. Apparently, if your looking for cheap and are running tortoise machines on your switch's, you can use cheap engine decoders- for some reason, and I don't recall why, they only work well on "slow motion" units and not the "snap" machines like Tenshodo, Peco and Atlas.

So for now I am using hand throws (caboose hobbies).

If you are building your "life time" layout, then you might want to use quality electrical switch machines. There are two types (I've blanked out on their technical definition); snap machines and slow motions machines. Interestingly though many long term hobbyist's are moving to slow motion machines, still others prefer the "snap" machines; but to be honest this group is in the minority now.

As I get older and older, I get lazier and lazier. As a friend pointed out to me - "Rick, when I hear the snap of that machine working, I don't have to check the track visually to make sure it worked. There's something reassuring in that "snap" sound." So he likes them because he doesn't have to check them. The long standing quality snap units were put out by Tenshodo, now I believe they are called NJ International. The reason I can recommend these is that I can take you to layouts in the Greater Vancouver (BC) area that have the same ones installed after 30 years of heavy layout use. They just hang in there, better than the EverReady Bunny.

The two slow motion electric machines are Tortoise and Switch Machines. Of the two, Tortoise is the better know, however I have actually met two gentleman who are very knowledgeable electrically and have built many layouts who actuall prefer Switch Machines - they feel they are more robust. Either type will serve you well.

[aluesch]

A Zimo N-scale decoder MX62 measures .55x.35x.12 inches. It's pretty tiny and yet still has all the features the HO decoders have, such as BEMF and high frequency drive (silent drive).
My advice, don't go for the cheapest entry level system without looking at what else is out there. You might be sorry later on if some interesting features might not be available with the system you chose. Also look for a knowledgeable dealer that is known for great after sale service. That might help you more than a friend that may not know the system better than yourself.

Hafe fun,
Art
http://www.mrsonline.net/