Going with dcc

[ARTHILL]

When I added the Utility throttle with radio, I had the best toy in the train room. I wish I would have started with radio. it would have saved some money and I would have had more fun sooner.

[jwils1]

The Z plus a DT400 throttle is a great combination.  Plenty of power and walk-around operation.  Can be upgraded to radio if ever desired.

A Power Cab with SB3 smart booster would also work well and cost just a little less than the Z/DT400, but if you ever want to upgrade to radio it would cost you more.

If wireless operation is desireable for you, the DT400 comes with IR (infrared) operation at no extra cost.  For some layouts this works well if you can always have line-of-site connection between throttle and receiver/s.  The reciever and power supply for it costs a little extra but not nearly as much as radio.

MRC Prodigy Advance Squared or Wireless would also work very well but in the long run the Zephyr or Power Cab might be a better investment because of proven quality and performance, especially if you would want a computer interface, which is very important for many of us. 

[corsair7]

 I am building a layout 40 feet plus in length but only 2 feet wide, single track main with some long sidings and a small yard.  Was thinking of starting with digitrax zephyr, I operate alone so can anyone tell me if this is enough power?

I've got a similar setup and after talking to alot of people and reading lots of articles and references, I decide that the Zephyr is the way to go. At some point in time I'll probably get a Digitrax DTR-400 and the necessary stuff to go radio control so that I can walk around with my train since my layout uses the Woodland Scenics Mod-U-Rail system.

I can also use the DTR-400 on the N-Trak layout of the club I belong to.

But if you're going to be the only one running trains or even if you have another two people who are going to run them with you, the Zephyr should have enough power to meet your needs. Besides, if you ever need more power, all of the Digitrax products are compatible so there is a upgrade path that will allow you keep using the system.

Irv 

 

 

 

 

[wjstix]

Zephyr is great, especially for a beginner in DCC. But maybe take a look at MRC's new wireless system too?? Right now I'm starting a layout similar to what you describe, and am using a Zephyr with standard walkaround (from my old layout), but eventually I plan on adding Digitrax wireless capability to it.

[riz170]

Thanks to all who replied to my question, I forgot to mention that with the layout 40' in length I was going to want the plug ins with the walkaround throttle.  Thanks for the input, as I progress I'm sure I will be back with more questions.

 

 

  Modeling Conrail, 1990's

  Riz170

[MisterBeasley]

   40 foot long? Maybe a walk around system would be a better fit.

That's a very good point.  I've got a 5x12 foot table layout, and I've got a wired (or tethered) walkaround throttle, with no less than 6 jacks to plug it into.

The Zephyr will allow you to buy an additional throttle from Digitrax and add that to your system, but that means extra expense.  It's a good system, but if you're going to want a walkaround throttle, then you should at least consider a system that comes with one.

[locoi1sa]

  40 foot long? Maybe a walk around system would be a better fit. I do not have a Zepher but isnt it a console? Maybe the Z and an extra throttle and some plug ins? Or a Power cab and smart booster will let you walk around. Or even a radio Power cab conversion?

  Just a thought. You may have some switching just out of reach of the console.

      Pete
 

[Randall_Roberts]

The Zephyr will do nicely for that application.  As the previous post mentioned, it will run up to 10 locomotives simultaneously.  It also supports up to 999 stationary decoders for operating your turnouts.  The Digitrax DS64 unit will control up to four turnouts, and they can be ganged together.  Here are a couple of my DCC links:

DCC Overview

Zephyr Review

I'm planning on doing an article about setting up the DS64 in the next week or so.

Best!

[simon1966]

The Z has plenty of power for a single operator.  The power needs of your layout have more to do with the number of locos you want to run simultaneously than the physical size of the layout.  As a lone operator it is unlikely you would exceed the power of the Z.  I have had 10 locos running at once on mine.

[riz170]

 I am building a layout 40 feet plus in length but only 2 feet wide, single track main with some long sidings and a small yard.  Was thinking of starting with digitrax zephyr, I operate alone so can anyone tell me if this is enough power?