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DCC Options

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  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 3 posts
DCC Options
Posted by OTRR on Monday, February 11, 2019 12:22 PM

Having dabbled for years, I'm getting more serious about the trains.  This includes DCC. (Please don't tell my bank account.  It doesn't know yet.)  My club uses Digitrax Evolution Duplex, & I need the radio capability to run there; but I don't need anywhere near that level for my home layouts,  I can save ~ $100 by buying the DT500D cab and an NCE Powercab set for my home use.  Could those of you who know more about these things (that's everyone) tell me what's wrong with my $ saving scheme?

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Posted by mfm37 on Monday, February 11, 2019 5:05 PM
You could also buy a Zephyr starter set and use the DT500D at home by plugging it into the Zephyr's loconet jack.
  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, February 11, 2019 5:16 PM

The club makes you buy your own throttle?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Monday, February 11, 2019 5:21 PM

I have had the Power Cab for some years at home. Nice for three sound locos when I use to run it. Easy to use. No issues.

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.

  • Member since
    January 2015
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Posted by RR Baron on Monday, February 11, 2019 6:26 PM

 

Digitrax just discontinued the Zephyr Xtra DCS 51 and introduced the Zephyr Express DCS 52 so you should save money on a discontinued Zephyr Xtra DCS 51

 

Expect NCE Power Cab to be upgraded during 2019.

The NCE Power Cab is preferred over the Zephyr by some but since you use Digitrax at the club realize using a Power Cab would require learning to do things differently.  There are folks whose club has Digitrax but they prefer and use Power Cab at home.

Best decision is made by you if you get some hands-on experience with the Power Cab.  

 

RR Baron 

 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, February 11, 2019 7:00 PM

RR Baron
Expect NCE Power Cab to be upgraded during 2019.

What is the upgrade going to do for us?

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Monday, February 11, 2019 7:47 PM

 NCE isn't talking. Have to wait and see. Dunno if there will be much change int he PowerCab, seems like the bigger news is a new command station for the PowerPro. Lots of rumors, no details yet.

                                            --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • 257 posts
Posted by RR Baron on Monday, February 11, 2019 9:04 PM

BigDaddy

 

 
RR Baron
Expect NCE Power Cab to be upgraded during 2019.

 

What is the upgrade going to do for us?

 

 

You will have to wait as what is intended does not always make it into the final product.  

 

RR Baron

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Philadelphia
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Posted by Silverliner266 on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 11:40 AM

Not OP but I'm also looking to get into DCC. On the other end, any systems you would avoid and why? 

Just an N scale guy in an HO scale world.

Reading Railroad in a small space. 

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  • From: Staten Island NY
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Posted by joe323 on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 1:49 PM

BigDaddy

 

 
RR Baron
Expect NCE Power Cab to be upgraded during 2019.

 

What is the upgrade going to do for us?

 

Well a direct bluetooth or wifi interface would be nice.  At least thats my thinking.

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 2:34 PM

RR Baron
You will have to wait

I'm an only child, that doesn't work for me Devil

Silverliner266 Avoid the DCS system by MTH.  I don't see a lot written positive about the Bachmann entry system. 

We have a thread on what system to buy every 2 weeks or less.  Comments that "I bought Brand A and wish I bought Brand B are pretty rare with the major starter systems."  They all have a different look and feel to them.  If you don't have a decent trains store close to you check out the youtube videos.

 OTTR Welcome to the forum.  Your first few posts are monitored and take a while to appear.  

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by BATMAN on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 3:03 PM

All decisions like this should be based on science and nothing else. If puppies like the one you choose then it is the one for you. Smile, Wink & Grin

  

 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 4:09 PM

BATMAN
If puppies like the one you choose then it is the one for you.

My wife is in total agreement, and concurs with your scientific evaluation. 

Mike.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 6:01 PM

 One of my dogs ate one of the hoppers I was modifying into covered hoppers. Does this mean she approves of my modeling work?

                               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by SouthPenn on Friday, February 15, 2019 10:39 PM

I had problems with my Digitrax system. Trashed it and bought NCE Power Pro.

Now I am using RailPro with the NCE system. To me, RailPro is the way to go. I wish I had found RailPro before I bought the NCE system. Most of my DCC locomotives are collecting dust.

South Penn
  • Member since
    February 2019
  • 3 posts
Posted by OTRR on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 9:46 AM

Thanks to all for your help/advice.  For Big Daddy: my club is small - 13 members (I pointed out that I brought that number to 13 & so will likely be responsible for the demise of the club) - & has a small budget.  While they don't really make me buy my own throttle, everyone has their own.

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