I have a DCC engine and a DC engine. And would like to know if i can run both on the same track? Is there a way that i can block the power to one engine while im running the other? Maybe a switch on one part of the track?
This is something that new modelers to DCC want to do. It is also NOT advisable because sooner or later you will forget to switch the track for the proper locomotive and fry your DCC system.
Therefore, I am not going to help you destroy your equipment by telling you how it could be done.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Never, ever forget about Murphy. Our club did and smoked the NCE 5 amp Power Pro. A few others have also. Disconnect the DC and THEN connect the DCC. Reverse the procedure.
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.
There are a couple of options here.
A double throw, double pole toggle switch with a center off position could be used to switch the entire layout from DCC to DC and back. As noted, there is some inherent danger of having both systems running in adjacent blocks, because of the danger of crossing the gap and causing some damage.
Perhaps a better idea would be a DCC system like a Digitrax that has the ability to run a DC locomotive on the DCC tracks. I do this fairly regularly, but it has its downside, notably the modulating buzzing sound that comes from the DC motor as it is sped up and slowed down. There are some that say that the DC motor can burn out with this, but I have not seen this happen in almost a decade of using this feature.
The best solution would be to convert the DC loco to DCC with a decoder and just make the switch.
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 guess you can read this thread a couple of different ways. The OP either wants:
If the latter:
If the former: Personally, I would commit to operating in one or the other mode rather than switching back and forth. If you already have a DCC system, operating it in DCC. If your layout is DC, operate it DC.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
My system started as DC Then i bought a engine with sound and i got the Mrc TECH 6 SOUND CONTROLLER 2.0 It can run DCC or DC.
The simplest solution is to install a decoder in the DC engine and run both with DCC.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
wilson44512 My system started as DC Then i bought a engine with sound and i got the Mrc TECH 6 SOUND CONTROLLER 2.0 It can run DCC or DC.
Well, this is what happens when we don't get ALL of the correct information. We were assuming that you had a DCC system AND a DC system (You don't), and you want to run them together.
The MRC TECH 6 SOUND CONTROLLER 2.0 is NOT a DCC control system. It is a DC power pack that allows you to control the sound functions on decoder equipped locomotives.
Most NMRA compliant DCC decoders can run on a DCC system and a DC system if the decoder settings are set to allow for DC operation. That is what you have.
Yup the only way to run both on the same track / same block is to convert the one to DCC and then buy a DCC controller. Otherwise, you have to do what DC modelers have done for generation, divide you layout into numerous power blocks, each connected to a DPDT switch to allow you to decide which of two DC power packs controls that block. Or buy a DCC system, and put in decoder in your DC engine.