dont have a lot of money to spend , and have a 4x8 table, want to know what to buy to start my dcc, have one engine with dcc equip, track is snap track, engine is gp9 buy athern. hope some one will help
thank you
charles,
Charles,
If you don't have a lot of money and you're interested in DCC - I'm probably going to be in the minority here - I would shop for a new or used Bachmann E-Z Command in the $40 or < range. It's a limited DCC system but it's simple and does what it does very well. I ran my 4 x 8 with it with no problems.
What do I mean by limited?
Again, I would not pay more than $40 for one. If you pay more than that, it's better to save up your pennies and purchase a more sophisticated DCC system like a NCE Power Cab or Digitrax Zephyr Xtra.
What's your price limit?
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage gives sound advice. For very little money you can get the E-Z command and see how you like dcc. Should you decide to expand then a NCE or Digitrax Zephyer may be in order. But for starters the E-Z would get you going.
tstage and floridaflyer give sound advice, I give better advice - - LOL
Seriously, though, ny advice is to set aside, for the moment, the urge to go DCC.
Given your current situation, limited funds, a 4 x 8 table, a single loco, and some snap track, concentrate on maximizing the available space and buying some additional rolling stock and structures. Try your hand at landscaping and ballasting your layout.
Once you have some additional funds, you can always expand the size of your layout and easily convert to DCC. Meanwhile, enjoy what you have and make the most of it. Don't strap yourself by spending limited funds on a starter DCC system that you will eventually outgrow.
Easy for me to say, I know, but that is how I started out, and I thoroughly enjoyed the DC experience before eventually converting to DCC as my space and available funds improved.
Rich
Alton Junction
I have to agree, I ran DC for several years before upgrading to DCC. I had wanted to upgrade for quite some time, I eventually bought CVP's Easy DCC. I wrote a review of it in this forum not long ago. Admittedly, it's a bit pricier than some of the starter systems suggested in this thread, but it has the capacity for lots of expansion.
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts
I would argue for going to DCC as soon as possible. I planned to build a DC layout and then transition some time later, but I had a small financial windfall and used it to buy a good Lenz DCC system. Even pre-sound, it transformed my enjoyment of the hobby.
If you wait, you may end up with a roundhouse full of DC-only engines. While most can be converted, the cost of adding decoders later will likely delay moving to DCC in the future.
I just did a quick check and noticed a used, older-model Digitrax Zephyr went for $102. The Zephyr is probably the optimum "starter" system, based on its price, functionality and expandability.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I currently own several systems. They are CVP EasyDCC, Lenz, NCE Procab-R, a Digitrax Zephyr (the original not the Xtra), and a couple really old MRC-2000s. I can recommend them all but the old MRCs. However given the not a lot of money clause, I might recommend the Zephyr or an NCE PowerCab. I believe they are both in the $150 range.
I really like the Zephyrs square block power-pack type sit on the table presentation. It is most like a regular DC train controller. I don't feel like I am playing a video game when I use it. The children have no trouble using it. It has a cool feature called a jumper cab. This is where you can hook up to normal DC controllers and use them to run DCC trains.
The PowerCab on the other hand has a throttle that one holds in their hand. More like using a TV remote to control the train. It has a nice display right there so one doesn't have to go around to a fixed location to "see" what the throttle is doing. Don't know that this is an issue with a small 4x8 layout or not.
The best thing to do is to go to a store that has several systems and give them a trial run.
richhotrain tstage and floridaflyer give sound advice, I give better advice - - LOL Seriously, though, ny advice is to set aside, for the moment, the urge to go DCC. Given your current situation, limited funds, a 4 x 8 table, a single loco, and some snap track, concentrate on maximizing the available space and buying some additional rolling stock and structures. Try your hand at landscaping and ballasting your layout. Once you have some additional funds, you can always expand the size of your layout and easily convert to DCC. Meanwhile, enjoy what you have and make the most of it. Don't strap yourself by spending limited funds on a starter DCC system that you will eventually outgrow. Easy for me to say, I know, but that is how I started out, and I thoroughly enjoyed the DC experience before eventually converting to DCC as my space and available funds improved. Rich dont have a lot of money to spend , and have a 4x8 table, want to know what to buy to start my dcc, have one engine with dcc equip, track is snap track, engine is gp9 buy athern. hope some one will help
The OP states that he want to go DCC from the start, advice should address his statement
don7 richhotrain tstage and floridaflyer give sound advice, I give better advice - - LOL Seriously, though, ny advice is to set aside, for the moment, the urge to go DCC. Given your current situation, limited funds, a 4 x 8 table, a single loco, and some snap track, concentrate on maximizing the available space and buying some additional rolling stock and structures. Try your hand at landscaping and ballasting your layout. Once you have some additional funds, you can always expand the size of your layout and easily convert to DCC. Meanwhile, enjoy what you have and make the most of it. Don't strap yourself by spending limited funds on a starter DCC system that you will eventually outgrow. Easy for me to say, I know, but that is how I started out, and I thoroughly enjoyed the DC experience before eventually converting to DCC as my space and available funds improved. Rich dont have a lot of money to spend , and have a 4x8 table, want to know what to buy to start my dcc, have one engine with dcc equip, track is snap track, engine is gp9 buy athern. hope some one will help The OP states that he want to go DCC from the start, advice should address his statement
Don, you should follow your own advice and answer the OP's question yourself instead of lecturing me. He wants to know what to buy to start a DCC system. What do you suggest?
Based upon my own experience, I answered the OP's question as sincerely and helpfully as I could.
He stated that he has limited funds, a very small layout, one locomotive and some snap track. My advice is to go slow and hold off on buying a starter DCC system. What's your advice?
Just because someone asks, how deep can a pool be before I drown, doesn't mean that you cannot advise him to learn to swim first.
Hi!
As a long time DC guy who went into DCC three years ago, may I suggest that the OP give serious consideration in his thought about going into DCC.
I say this because the OP has "funding issues". Now that may mean he only has $100 to spend, or $10k to spend as funding is a very subjective question. But if he is on the low end of that spectrum, then I would opt for DC and "enjoy and learn" the hobby - rather than "wishing for this and wanting for that".
However, if he does have $300-$400 for operation, I would go for the low end Digitrax or NCE starter sets.
You know, one of the reasons we are here (on the Forum) is to help out newcomers. And sometimes newcomers need help in deciding or reviewing their decision as to what would work best for them.
By the way, I love DCC operation. But if I was running a 4x8 or similar size layout, I just could not support the decision to go that way.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman44 By the way, I love DCC operation. But if I was running a 4x8 or similar size layout, I just could not support the decision to go that way.
Well, here I go being contrary again. Sorry. I respect everyone's opinion, something the OP will discover is pretty common on this board, but I've got my own.
If you're only going to run one train at a time, DC works pretty well on small layouts. But, as soon as you get into multiple-train operations, either with multiple operators or just by yourself, letting one train run in a continuous loop while switching another, then DCC really shines. Multiple trains in DC requires block wiring, and control with toggles. On a larger layout, it's not so bad, when you get down to a 4x8 the blocks become so small that you need to spend all of your time flipping toggles and remembering where the blocks are.
Mr. Beasley,
Point well taken!
DCC would certainly be nice on any layout, but the cost difference between a really good MRC powerpack and a beginner DCC setup is significant. And to the OP, with limited funds, it could surely be a deal breaker.
mobilman44 However, if he does have $300-$400 for operation, I would go for the low end Digitrax or NCE starter sets.
Bill,
Although I understand what you mean, I probably wouldn't use the term "low end" and "starter sets" in the same sentence. To me - "low end" would better describe the Bachmann E-Z Command rather than the Zephyr or Power Cab because of it's limited functionality. Perhaps "less expensive" would be more apt, which is the point I believe you were intending to make.
mobilman44 Mr. Beasley, Point well taken! DCC would certainly be nice on any layout, but the cost difference between a really good MRC powerpack and a beginner DCC setup is significant. And to the OP, with limited funds, it could surely be a deal breaker.
Mr. B, your point is well taken.
When I started out in HO scale nearly 10 years ago now, I did just what the OP is doing. I built a 4 x 8 table, an oval layout with sectional track, a single DC loco, and a power pack. I quickly grew bored and restless. So I added some turnouts to form crossovers and connected them to inner ovals, gapped the rails, bought another power pack and ran two trains, all without block controls. After repeating this process twice over, I had four ovals and four power packs all operating on an expanded 8 x 12 layout space. At that point, I went over to DCC. I was able to use all four power packs to power signals,. Meanwhile, I learned a ton of stuff about track laying, ballasting, landscaping, building structures.
The big difference here is the OP's statement about limited funds. DCC is not cheap. You need to buy the (starter) system. You need to buy and install decoders or spend even more and buy DCC equipped locos. I agree with you that if the OP waits too long to convert to DCC, and in the meantime buys a lot of DC locos, then he will have a lot of work to convert to DCC. But, again, if it is a question of tight funds, then what is wrong with sharing advice to go slow, enjoy what you have, and learn as you go along?
mobilman44 DCC would certainly be nice on any layout, but the cost difference between a really good MRC powerpack and a beginner DCC setup is significant.
DCC would certainly be nice on any layout, but the cost difference between a really good MRC powerpack and a beginner DCC setup is significant.
Just taking a sample of prices off eBay, here's what I found for the following MRC power packs:
Given the price on the Tech 3 9500, that's ~$30-$40 less than a discounted Power Cab or Zephyr Xtra. If that were the case, I'd go ahead and splurge for DCC. If sticking with DC, the 1370 Railpower is very nice unit.
tstage If sticking with DC, the 1370 Railpower is very nice unit. Tom
If sticking with DC, the 1370 Railpower is very nice unit.
Tom, while I suppose that selecting a DC power pack is probably the subject of an entirely separate thread, I do agree with you regarding the MRC 1370 Railpower unit.
When I mentioned earlier that I have acquired four power packs over time, they are, in fact, all MRC 1370 Railpower units. They are highly dependable, reliable and accurate. I currently use them to support my signaling system on my layout.
mobilman44 DCC would certainly be nice on any layout, but the cost difference between a really good MRC powerpack and a beginner DCC setup is significant. And to the OP, with limited funds, it could surely be a deal breaker.
And here we are in complete agreement.
I have both DC and DCC and I can run them on the same part of the layout. My layout consist of a lower level 4x6 with 4 turnouts and an upper deck 2x8. On the 4x6 when I want DCC I unhook the 1370 and hook up the EZ Command. The upper deck most of the time is DCC because it is a switching layout but still can be run DC. It is 2 layouts one on top of the other but they can be wired together for DCC. DCC is the way to go because of the ability to run multiple trains on the same track and in different directions. I still have a lot of DC locos that I need to convert. I change the lower deck to DC to keep them running and in working condition. The biggest problem is the cost of conversion. I have 3 Proto 1000 F3's I want to convert and the cost is more for each one than I paid for them. As for my DCC I use the Bachmann EZ Command. I like it and the only reason I am considering upgrading is to have a better numbering scheme and more functions. On my small layout the EZ Command does just fine.
RMax
richhotrain They are highly dependable, reliable and accurate. I currently use them to support my signaling system on my layout.
They are highly dependable, reliable and accurate. I currently use them to support my signaling system on my layout.
Rich,
And I use the DC side of mine for lighting my layout.