dcc

[jacob t. b.]

 I am planning an 8x8 foot n scale layout. I had a small dc one before with a few turnouts. I hope to have 8 to 12 engines running. Does anyone have any suggestions. 

    P.S.- I am only twelve and have a limited budget.

[tstage]

First off: to the forum!  Good to have you aboard!

Jacob, you mention that you are interested in N-scale and that you "hope to have 8 to 12 engines running".  Do you mean either running or sitting on your layout at any given moment?  Or, do you mean running simultaneously?  Even on an 8 x 8 layout, keeping track of more than 2 running locomotives or consists at any given moment is flirting with disaster.

Jacob, here's some questions you may want to ask yourself first because your answers will determine the type of recommendation offered by others:

• What do you want to accomplish with your layout?
• What are you interested in modeling? - Specific industries, RR line(s), geography or region
• Will your locomotives have sound or special lighting effects?
• Are you interested in adding signaling?
• How many operators will be running the layout?  Just you?  More than two?
• Are you into tweaking locomotives to make them run better?
• What's the maximum $$$ amount that you can spend on a DCC system with your present budget?
• If it's not enough, what "legal" options do you have at your disposal to meet that goal?

Again, Jacob, these questions are important for YOU to answer before determining what DCC system will best fit your wants and needs.  Hope that helps...

Tom

[jacob t. b.]

i am going to have approximately 2-4 operators running trains consisting of 1-3 engines. I have already planned my industries and track layout. I want to add signals later and hope to have lights and sounds.

[jacob t. b.]

oh yea.

THANKS!

[Hamltnblue]

Welcome Jacob

Lets start with budget. What do you currently have and what is your budget?

 

[Texas Zepher]

jacob t. b.

i am going to have approximately 2-4 operators running trains consisting of 1-3 engines. I have already planned my industries and track layout. I want to add signals later and hope to have lights and sounds.

I think just about any of the full featured starter systems with the addition of 3 throttles can handle that.

[jacob t. b.]

would digitrax be a good choice

 

[tstage]

Yes...and so would NCE, EasyDCC, Lenz, and - for the most part - MRC.  A couple more questions for you, Jacob:

• Will you be providing the throttles for others to use?  Or, will they have their own?
• Do you want to option of being able to operate a DC locomotive on your layout?

Tom

[jacob t. b.]

yes and no

please give me your e-mail and i will send you my track plan

 

 

[Bapou]

Hey Jacob,

I would strongly recommend the NCE Powercab, it's one of the easiest systems to use that's out there, especially programing simple CVs such as momentum, yet it has all the features of a full NCE system. If you don't think you'll be doing much programming Digitrax would be an ok choice for you, their throttles are also cheaper.

One thing to keep in mind, the Powercab only supports 2 throttles. You can upgrade that to 4 by getting the SB3 SmartBooster. Additional NCE cabs run from $71-140 for non radio cabs. The Powercab is even radio compatible if you add the right components!