Hi everyone, I am just getting ready to start laying my track and want to go with a DCC system. I have been looking at Digitrax. I have two MRC DC power packs that I was using on my old layout that I could start with or do you think that I should get the DCC system and start right off with that.
I have a small U shaped layout that is basically 9 x 6 and I am hoping to get a wireless controller because my son will be helping me operate.
Dave
Hi Dave,
You might consider the Digitrax Zephyr starter set. You would be able to connect your 2 DC power packs to the "jump port" inputs of the Zephyr and assign DCC locomotives to these packs and start right off with 3 throttles. Digitrax has announced and will soon release a new wireless option that you would be able to add to your Zephyr later. They have wireless now, but I would wait for the new one to come out early next year.
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
What DCC system is best or "which one should I get" comes up here often. Everyone has their own favorite system. You should probably do a search in the box at the bottom. Use words like "best DCC" or "DCC system" or other search terms.
As for me, I like the NCE system because I feel that it is easier to operate right out of the box, and has good instructions. If you want to add signals and block detection, Digitrax has very good offerings in that regard, but in my opinion it is harder to learn overall.
Select a couple of systems that you think you might like, visit a hobby shop and see if you can set up a vist with modelers in the area that have the systems you are considering. See if you can get a "tour" of their layouts and DCC systems. See if you can get a "hands on" experience with the controllers of each system. Most modelers are willing to show off their DCC systems and tell you why they chose them and if they would choose the same system again if they had the chance to start again.
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.