No the MRC can not.
The Digitrax can, but this feature has limited appeal IMO. Now I am a Diigtrax user and a strong advocate of the system due to the quality and ease of use of the system. I thought that I would use the DC capability often, but find that it has some draw backs that you really need to be aware of, especially if this is your one and only deciding factor.
First you can only control one DC loco at a time.
Second, there is in most cases a high pitched buzzing harmonic sound that attenuates and warbles as you adjust the throttle setting. There is frequently a buzzing sound when the loco is stationary. I find this noise annoying.
It is said that if you leave a DC loco on the track too long that the motor will burn up. I have never experienced this, and have deliberately left a DC loco on the track buzzing for hours with no adverse affects. So not sure if this is a myth worthy of myth-buster attention, or is a real problem.
Fourth, the performance, in terms of top speed, is significantly reduced between the DC loco on a DC layout and running on the DCC layout.
Having said all that, there are time when I do run a DC loco on the Digitrax layout. First when I get a new DC loco, I like to test run it before installing a decoder. I also have some old locos from my childhood that are simply not worth, or too hard to convert, and I like to give them a nostalgic run from time to time.
I used the DC feature much more early on, but rarely use it now as the sound really is annoying.
I am not trying to put you off, but think it is important to understand the pros and cons of a feature.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I will agree with Simon. I started in DCC with an MRC Command 2000 system and soon tired of it's limitations. I purchased a Digitrax Zephyr system with the idea of running my old favorites without decoders for a while until I could add decoders to them. I soon tired of the humming, whining poor performance and added decoders. I've been very happy with my choice since then. I point that you may want to consider in your choice is the easy upgrading path with Digitrax and others. At present the MRC systems - which are very good systems - are limited in this respect. I think we all start out with the "I won't need that feature" mentality and then find out later as we become familiar with the technology that we really do want it.
Joe
I use the MRC Prodigy Advance and very happy with it. I do have some engines without decoders in them at this time. My layout originally was set up for DC with toggle switches to switch between two different power packs. Now what I do if running DCC, I throw the switches to the Prodigy. If I want DC, I just throw the switch for the standard power supply. I do remove the DCC engines from the layout while using the DC system. I don't run the DC very often but I can also test new engines this way prior to installing decoders in them.
Not to go off on a tangent and with all due respect to MRC, it seems the lack of the computer interface JMRI? seems to be a turnoff for DCC users who want that added feature in the future. I have seen MRC in action at shows and an area club and its seems to work fine as well as Digitrax which works well at a large N scale layout.
Do any of the DCC systems support DC locomotives without all the interference as mentioned above?
seacoast Do any of the DCC systems support DC locomotives without all the interference as mentioned above?
Above this message someone said Digitrax will run DC locos. The Bachmann EZ Command will run DC locos. No control over the sounds by either system, plus the motors buzz even when the DC loco is stopped. If you understand the technology, you will realize this is normal. Can be annoying. Most people switch to full DCC.
Don't know what you mean by interference.
More DCC info.
http://www.loystoys.com/info/how-dcc-works.html
Running DC locos.
http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/dcc/DCC-waveforms/DCC_waveforms.html
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
seacoastNot to go off on a tangent and with all due respect to MRC, it seems the lack of the computer interface JMRI? seems to be a turnoff for DCCÂ users who want that added feature in the future...
seacoastDo any of the DCC systems support DC locomotives without all the interference as mentioned above?
By "without all the interference" do you mean without the noise some DC motors make when you run them on address 00?
The answer to that is generally no, because it's a characteristic of running s DC motor on what amounts to a type of AC current.
But how objectionable that noise might be is a function of the particular motor and the tolerance of the person who has to listen to it. Some motors are worse than others, and some folks are less tolerant of it than others. That's why some folks say it's a good feature to have, and others don't.
Steve
The Prodigy Advance Squared works ok but I have found it's weakness in how many accessories it can run IE: stationary decoders. It's the reason why I switched to NCE and gave the Prodigy to my son for the N-scale layout.
tnhllblly06Thanks for the responses. I don't have any DCC locos at the moment, and wanted to test my wiring as I went with an analog loco. From the sound of things, I think I'll convert a couple of engines before I do or decide on anything else.
Go ahead and do all of your testing with DC. Just be sure to use plenty of feeders and a decent sized bus.
We test every NTRAK layout with DC before we switch the power out to DCC. One time we used a 12 volt auto jump box to test because the house electric was temporarily turned off.
CSX Robert thanks for the information, that clarifies many issues, your very well versed in the world of DCC.