I'm just getting started in DCC but why would anyone stay with DC once you experience what can be done with DCC. I have a Digitrax Super Chief set and my first two locos were Atlas Master Series - no sound. Today I received a Proto RS27 w/sound from Walther's. Undecorated on sale for about half price. Well, let me tell you. Put the couplers on slapped it on the track and thought I had died and gone to heaven. Just amazing. I haven't even scratched the surface as far as what you can do with DCC but I would encourage everyone who is really into model railroading to go DCC. I know the initial cost is scary but I think it is worth it.
Mainetrains
'there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear' Modeling the Hard Knox Valley Railroad in HO scale http://photos.hardknoxvalley.com/
Hi!
Congratulations! As one who is fixing to jump into DCC with both feet, it is terrific to hear your positive comments. I have narrowed my selection to a Digitrax Super Chief as well, and am currently doing decoder research for the 45 or so locos that I may convert.
Please keep us posted as your new world develops!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Shhh! If you tell people, they might try it and like it!
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Welcome to the 21st century, no matter what era you're modelling.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Congrats, it is good to hear from folks enjoying their new systems. Just last night I had a quiet 15 min or so, just sitting by my yard slowly switching a pair of sound equipped locos in the yard. The DT400 throttle that comes with your Chief is wonderful for this as you can have both locos under independent control simultaneously. I have had my system for about 4 years now (A Zephyr with some extra throttles including the DT400), but still get a kick out of running 2 locos on the same bit of track in opposite directions. I have found DCC to be immense fun. Everything from soldering decoders and playing around with programming using Decoder Pro has been very enjoyable.
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
No kidding...I had been out of the hobby for a number of years and decided to take in a local train show. After I seen what the new engines could do I jumped back in with both feet. I also have a Digitrax Super chief and love it.
Now if I can just get my layout revised I will be even happier.
mainetrains I'm just getting started in DCC but why would anyone stay with DC once you experience what can be done with DCC. I have a Digitrax Super Chief set and my first two locos were Atlas Master Series - no sound. Today I received a Proto RS27 w/sound from Walther's. Undecorated on sale for about half price. Well, let me tell you. Put the couplers on slapped it on the track and thought I had died and gone to heaven. Just amazing. I haven't even scratched the surface as far as what you can do with DCC but I would encourage everyone who is really into model railroading to go DCC. I know the initial cost is scary but I think it is worth it. Mainetrains
It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish, and what you already have.
I am one of the stone-age relics who PREFERS analog DC, partially for cost reasons and partially because of an innate distrust for little black boxes that (are supposed to) do things (but may not.)
As for my reasons, which are personal and non-negotiable, the whole matter was aired in a thread that ran its course two years ago. Even the confirmed DCC addicts mostly agreed that my points were valid - for me.
I am not about to try to convert anyone to analog DC and the MZL system. I will just continue to use it - because I want to control the railroad, not just one train. If this be heresy, so be it.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with 1960s control technology)
Mainetrains,
Very refreshing for me to read your thread. When I lived in my previous home in the early 90s, I had space for a good sized layout featuring a double-track 1960s style mainline. However, I then decided not to go for it as I didn't look forward to hooking up DC Cab blocks. To me, that was a scenario in which the railroad would be running me. I had heard of DCC but assumed it was some gimmicky fad that would eventually fade. I'm glad that I was so wrong!
My first run-in with DCC was at a train show by a TCS rep. He had a decoder equipped BLI GG1 and a decoder equipped Athearn SD40-2 on a circle of track. Both had lighting features & the BLI had sound, of course.. Long story short, the independent control features blew me away, especially after I crashed the GG1 into the SD40-2!
It was a breath of fresh air that I would no longer needed the mass of wiring and operating restrictions presented by cab control. I could actually run the railroad!
I'm currently building an along-the-wall layout that will be powered by NCE. As for initial cost? I'm on a super tight budget but have the view that I don't mind spending the extra money to get the full benefits and satisfaction of this hobby. I'm not wasting it on getting drunk or going to topless bars. I spent a lot of time around prototype railroads in my youth. DCC provides the opportunity for me to relive that experience prototypically, with all the lights, bells, whistles included, and independent control of every locomotive without the wiring spaghetti clusters.
My wife's cousin was also worried about cost.......until he finally realized that he spent hundreds of dollars in the past 5 years purchasing Kato, Athearn Genesis, and P2K locomotives. He finally purchased a system last year...then a month later resumed purchasing freight cars and locomotives as before. So what's the issue with cost?
High Greens
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
tomikawaTT It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish, and what you already have. I am one of the stone-age relics who PREFERS analog DC, partially for cost reasons and partially because of an innate distrust for little black boxes that (are supposed to) do things (but may not.) As for my reasons, which are personal and non-negotiable, the whole matter was aired in a thread that ran its course two years ago. Even the confirmed DCC addicts mostly agreed that my points were valid - for me. I am not about to try to convert anyone to analog DC and the MZL system. I will just continue to use it - because I want to control the railroad, not just one train. If this be heresy, so be it. Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with 1960s control technology)
I agree, and find it more than a little annoying when people try to "convince" me I'm wrong.
Look, I know what DCC is and what it can do for my and understand how the technology works (probably better than many of those using it), and I choose not to use it on my layout.
And the layout runs just fine.
I was 'sold' on the idea long before DCC, from reading about how you could run trains with the GE ASTRAC system. Long before ever havinghands on with such a system, it seemd like a far superior way to actually operate a train. It was a long, long time before I had the opportunity to put hands on a syste, by then DCC. Naturally I managed to run the two locos running on an 18" radius loop of track into one another, still, after an actuall hands on I knew there was no way I was EVER going to build a standard DC layout again.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
davidmbedard That is absolutely fine that you are a DC fan and use it exclusively. But, what advice would you give someone who is starting out in this hobby with a clean slate? Would you show him DCC or would you present to him the anti-DCC doctrine?
That is absolutely fine that you are a DC fan and use it exclusively. But, what advice would you give someone who is starting out in this hobby with a clean slate? Would you show him DCC or would you present to him the anti-DCC doctrine?
Sure, newbies should hear about all the technology that exists. Maybe they'll want to use it.
But you create a rift where there needn't be one by suggesting that because I don't use DCC I have an agenda to stop it from being used or sold or whatever...my "anti-DCC doctrine," as you called it.
I'm not anti-DCC. I'm against being told it is the one and only right way to control a layout (and why don't I get with it and use DCC), yes. But I'm not against you, or anyone else, using it.
As the OP of this subject I never thought I would open up such a can of worms. As a long time DC modeler, and one who took a long time to decide to go DCC with my new layout, I just wanted to express how impressed and excited I was about DCC. Back in my DC days I had all the bells and whistles (horns too) you could get with DC and enjoyed it very much. I was quite leary (sp) of what kind of difference DCC would make. In fact, if I hadn't sold off my entire train collection 5 years ago and very likely would have stayed with DC. Now, however, seeing and hearing what DCC can do I would never go back to DC. My opinion only and not meant to influence anyone else.
Running trains the old school way.... or.....
DCC!
Im going to have to get used to the Club's old school ways. Gonna have to take a few generations before DCC arrives. LOL.
LastChance,
Yipes! That's exactly what I didn't want to deal with. Thanks for posting that photo.
Maine,
You're expressing yourself in a very positive, uplifting manner. With the hard times we're in, it's nice to hear good news.
Don't worry! We're all modelers here and some of us (o.k, most of us) have our strong biases when it comes to various aspects of this hobby.
IMHO, it's no different then when a group of football fans are at a "get together" sharing info, and then issues come up that will flare up some minor disagreements here and there (coaches styles, instant replay camera angles, etc.,). But in the end, everyone is still friends.
Actually, I don't know that going to DCC cost me any more money. Like many of us I'm a "locohaulic" who has bought more engines than they really need. After going DCC I decided to concentrate on getting decoders in my existing engines, and only buying an engine if it was one that really fit with my railroad's purpose and time frame. After all, you can buy 3-4 good decoders for the cost of one good HO diesel...if you don't buy the diesel with the money meant for the decoders!!
Gentlemen!
I've been sitting here on the sidelines reading your posts, taking a special interest in them. I was an avid "I will never go to DCC" guy for years. Recently, when I decided to rebuild my HO layout, I came to the realization that it would likely be my last. I decided that I would go at it with an open mind, and consider all the options I had available before I jumped in and built a clone of what I already had.
I looked at scale (came very close to going On3), methods of laying track and roadbed, and of course going to DCC. This was easily the hardest decision, and I read all I could and asked a whole lot of questions to at least be able to make an educated decision. Well, I decided that I would jump into it whole hog. However, I am well aware that its going to cost me about $2k, that I will need a lot more education on the subject, and my patience will probably be tested to one degree or another. So, with all that in mind, I could easily argue both sides of the DC/DCC decision, and do a darned good job of it!
That being said, one of the major draws of model railroading is that one can "do it" anyway they darn well please. Said another way, "It is my layout, and I will run it as I see fit". Obviously we all have opinions about what is right, wrong, or ok, but the opinions should only apply to our own railroad.
The thing that brings us all together here is that we all love trains, and love model railroading - and while it can sure be hard sometimes, we need to be tolerant of each others preferences.
Hey, ENJOY !!!!
Many of us have fragile egos that find comfort in believing that our actions based on decisions we make are not only the best ones but are correct because we made them. Examples are infinate, Microsoft v. Apple, Chevy v. Ford, meat v. veggies, ad. nauseum. Discussions like this are persuasive in rare instances, most often a venting based on some perceived harm or injury. The only time they make much sense is when the participants offer reasonable examples to support their argument.
Therefore, please explain what in the world an 'Anti-Rivit-Counter Doctrine' is and more to the point why it is self explainatory.
Good Morning to all!
I'm not sure about the thing called "anti rivit counter" whatever, but suspect it has to do with folks that don't enjoy the "nit-picking" of some who criticize models (or whatever) for not being totally prototypical. Funny thing, I suspect all of us have a little "rivit counter" in us to some degree or another. I know I do when it comes to models of refineries or fuel terminals or the like. So be it.
All that being said, I guess that's why it was nice that most all the folks that have seen my layout over the years are not "train nuts" like me, and therefore have had only positive comments about it!
Ooops, one exception..... In between wives I dated a very well to do lady (?) who's first sentence upon seeing the layout was - "My God, how much did all this cost"? Ha, she lasted about 3 months.
Hey folks, we all love trains and modeling - isn't that what's really important?
ENJOY,
mobilman44Gentlemen! I've been sitting here on the sidelines reading your posts, taking a special interest in them. I was an avid "I will never go to DCC" guy for years. Recently, when I decided to rebuild my HO layout, I came to the realization that it would likely be my last. I decided that I would go at it with an open mind, and consider all the options I had available before I jumped in and built a clone of what I already had. I looked at scale (came very close to going On3), methods of laying track and roadbed, and of course going to DCC. This was easily the hardest decision, and I read all I could and asked a whole lot of questions to at least be able to make an educated decision. Well, I decided that I would jump into it whole hog. However, I am well aware that its going to cost me about $2k, that I will need a lot more education on the subject, and my patience will probably be tested to one degree or another. So, with all that in mind, I could easily argue both sides of the DC/DCC decision, and do a darned good job of it! That being said, one of the major draws of model railroading is that one can "do it" anyway they darn well please. Said another way, "It is my layout, and I will run it as I see fit". Obviously we all have opinions about what is right, wrong, or ok, but the opinions should only apply to our own railroad. The thing that brings us all together here is that we all love trains, and love model railroading - and while it can sure be hard sometimes, we need to be tolerant of each others preferences. Hey, ENJOY !!!! Mobilman44
Wow! $2,000! You must have thousands of engines to convert and a ginormous layout!
I spent $200 bucks including several decoders. NCE quality decoders are what....$13 a piece in bulk?
DrilineWow! $2,000! You must have thousands of engines to convert and a ginormous layout!I spent $200 bucks including several decoders. NCE quality decoders are what....$13 a piece in bulk?
Actually, I think he was including the cost of the DCC system (Digitrax Super Chief, radio equipped, IIRC) in that...that's about $500 of it right there. There are also items like PM42's (power management units) to consider. The $2000 figure might be a little high, but if he's got a lot of locomotives he might hit it.
As to the OP's post, I've operated on both types of layouts. Both have their place. For a small home layout that will probably only have one locomotive running on it, both systems would make sense. For a large home or club layout, I'd definitely go DCC. That's just my own opinion, though. I can understand why some would not want to take the plunge into DCC on an existing layout. I can also from personal experience say that DCC is a good thing.
It all boils down to one simple phrase...to each his own.
Robert Beaty
The Laughing Hippie
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The CF-7...a waste of a perfectly good F-unit!
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the
end of your tunnel, Was just a freight train coming
your way. -Metallica, No Leaf Clover
Midnight,Has anyone recently said that DCC was the "one and only right way"? Or is that just a strawman argument? I do think that DCC is the best way to control a layout, but it's certainly not the only way.David,Quickly (without going off too far on a tangent), you said that the X2F outperforms a Kadee "in some cases". What are those cases? I can't think of any.
mainetrains,Don't worry about it. Really, this isn't bad at all. A small blip on the radar screen compared to the massed hordes that would show up for a real flame-fest.
Last Chance,Ha! I got you beat:
This is Cab 7 from my old club. We saved it for posterity to show why we went DCC in 1999. The above cab was built in the late 1970's.
And just for giggles, here's our "CTC" board that hung overhead for one of our major terminals:
Can you spot the block breaks? This yard was built in 1955, BTW. I have the upper left corner of this terminal as a freight yard on my home layout, now (we sold pieces off to members when we moved). We still have the turntable, and the coach yard in the bottom center is from the old, old layout from the 1940's (or so I was told).
Antonio,You mean we debate things like a certain failed railroad and yet still get along? How odd...
Stix,If a "good" HO loco costs $100, then one could get 6 decent decoders for that. DH123D's are $15.75 at Tony's.
mobilman44,I, too, was anti-DCC when I first heard about it. I thought it would be too expensive, I didn't like that I would have to install a computer chip in every engine I had, I thought that if our DCC supplier went out of business that we'd be out of luck and have to replace all these computer chips, I thought that DCC wouldn't last and would be replaced by something else. I thought that my trains and my club ran trains just fine the way they were and didn't need super-complicated DCC to get the same results.
I was wrong.
What convinced me that I was wrong was when it was explained to me that DCC was an NMRA Standard, and we all know how often they change. That meant that DCC was going to be around for a long time, possibly forever. It was also explained to me that DCC decoders work on any system, so if Digitrax went out of business, we wouldn't have to replace all the decoders (just the throttles and "brain"). I learned that I didn't have to install a decoder in every loco, just the ones I want to use. And when manufacturer's started putting in DCC plugs, well, that just made life easier by far (this was long before there were DCC factory installs). And the expense, well... What convinced me at my club was the large number of toggles we'd have to buy vs. buying DCC boosters. The members can buy their own throttles and decoders, but the club need only buy the infrastructure like boosters, and accesories.
Of course, the real kicker was when Debbie Ames showed up at our club with the Lenz demo layout with the operating DCC crane. That's when I knew that DCC was the way to go.
mreagant,There are many anti-rivet counters in the hobby, many of whom are on the MR Forums. I remember one guy called rivet counters "evil" (and yes, he was being serious). RC's (rivet counters) are seen by many to be all that is wrong and bad in this hobby because they drive up the price of model railroading items. The feeling is that RC's are snooty, arrogant, and think they are better than everyone else. My guess is that anti-RC's don't like being made to feel that they are inferior in any way, and seeing the work RC's tend to do (and the effort that it takes) seems to drive them crazy. The fact is that RC's are generally better modelers because they produce better, more accurate models than those that are anti-RC's (who tend to be those that only buy 'em and run 'em). Naturally, there are exceptions to all of the above, but anti-RC's are out there (watch for their catch phrase, "I'll do what I want!"). Hang around on these forums for a few years, and you'll see.
Arjay1969,I figure the DCC controls on my 25' x 50' layout cost $900+ (Zephyr, UR91, 3 DT400R's, 5 UP-5's). I have around 30 locos, so at $16 ea., that would be another $500 or so. So if he said $2000, it's not that far off if he adds a few circuit breakers, detection, stationary decoders, etc. or a lot more locos.
mainetains, this is a very personal hobby, as you know. People get defensive when they sense a challenge to their "worldview" of the hobby...as they know and like it. Imagine if this were an automobile forum and you had said you had just purchased your first ever Corvette, and .....WOW! Someone driving a restored Aston Martin would sniff and post, "What could have possessed you?"
I have used DC twice, once when a child and most recently between 2000 and the present with an On30 Christmas train set. It works well, and I enjoy it. My "real" layout (the eyes roll) is strictly DCC because I prefer (that word, preference, is important...it indicates fulfillment of a need and comfort with familiarity) the behaviours I can get between engines, as well as when I run them alone.
There is no doctrine. It's not a religion, even though the accompanying zealotry rivals that of religious fanaticism. As in religion, it is best to live and let live. Make friends, enjoy one anothers' company, and keep certain topics out of reach, both for the sake of courtesy and of peace.
BTW, welcome to the fold. I would guess that, for both of us, there is no going back. It may surprise you, though, that there are posters reading this today who have done just that...tried DCC and reverted in short order. They couldn't enjoy the hobby that way, and the hobby was that important to them that they felt the need to find their preference(s) once again. More power to them I say.
-Crandell
Arjay1969 Driline Wow! $2,000! You must have thousands of engines to convert and a ginormous layout! I spent $200 bucks including several decoders. NCE quality decoders are what....$13 a piece in bulk? Actually, I think he was including the cost of the DCC system (Digitrax Super Chief, radio equipped, IIRC) in that...that's about $500 of it right there. There are also items like PM42's (power management units) to consider. The $2000 figure might be a little high, but if he's got a lot of locomotives he might hit it. As to the OP's post, I've operated on both types of layouts. Both have their place. For a small home layout that will probably only have one locomotive running on it, both systems would make sense. For a large home or club layout, I'd definitely go DCC. That's just my own opinion, though. I can understand why some would not want to take the plunge into DCC on an existing layout. I can also from personal experience say that DCC is a good thing. It all boils down to one simple phrase...to each his own.
Driline Wow! $2,000! You must have thousands of engines to convert and a ginormous layout! I spent $200 bucks including several decoders. NCE quality decoders are what....$13 a piece in bulk?
If he's upgrading to DCC and sound then the $2K figure is low. I am and I estimate around $75 per locomotive to upgrade. That's why I try to buy all new locomotives with sound and DCC already (Kato, do you hear me ) I'e got over $2K in my upgrade, which includes a Super Chief radio system, 2 extra boosters, block protection devices, sound programmers etc etc... Having said this, I still consider it a great investment at twice the price...
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
In my oh so humble opinion and experience with DCC the past 3 years, I can honestly say that for me......I repeat...for me.....it made better sense to just purchase a loco with sound than to have to install a sound decoder and try and find a spot for a speaker to fit. Plus it was cheaper in the long run.
I purchased several soundtraxx LC decoders and while pleased at first, because I never heard sound before...after I purchased QSI Sound locomotives with the decoders already installed...well there was just no comparison. So until QSI can offer a COMPLETE sound package that INCLUDES the speakers/baffle capacitor and a DCC decoder as good as NCE for UNDER $50 well then I will continue to buy loco's that already have sound installed. Its also nice because they have done the hard work for you, trying to make those speakers fit, and in some instances including several speakers for you.
I've already removed 2 soundtraxx decoders and replaced the loco's with an NCE decoder with No sound. I like having some engines without sound. When you get more than 2 engines with sound running on a small home layout...well its just too much "din". So for me I'll probably stick with half sound and half no sound. I've got 14 engines for my little 11X8 room layout and so far that has worked quite well.
To the original poster ; You can see everyone has a different perspective on what They like. After using the dcc systems I've had , I would never wire another dc layout .This is not something I enjoy. Others enjoy wiring, that's what the hobby is all about. The manufacturers have, in My humble opinion, gotten a lot of us spoiled. This is a great time to get into the hobby (other than the economy) as it's easy to get great sound equipped locos in most anything You like. My question would be to the posters on here that buy decoders for 12.00 in bulk is this: are they a quality decoder ? How many = bulk ? Where in the world are You getting them so cheap ? God bless & luck to all.
Much like the term "hacker", I think the term "rivet counter" has been corrupted voer time. Itused to be that the rivet coutners were the ones who would be quick to condem your scratchbuilt model because the paint was off a shade, or the stirrup steps have a jog at a 40 degree angle, not 45 degrees, or other equally inane bits that ins ome cases wouldn;t even be visible to the naked eye, let alone a micrometer, even in O scale. And the rivet counters of yore rarely built any models of their own, they just liked to complain about other people's work.
Now it seems anyoen who tries to build something accurately is a 'rivet counter' I say, not so. I am borderline picky - I won;t run a Mantua GP-20 just because it's painted for Reading, but I won't discard a box car because there's supposed to be an XYZ brand brake wheel instead of the ABC one that came in the kit or the brake reservoir is 2 feet too far to the left.
MaineTrains, sorry to say, but everyone has an opinion.
More to the point, on the Internet, everyone (including me!) is absolutely certain that you want to hear THEIR opinion. Otherwise, why would you be partaking in a forum conversation? The following is all my opinion, and you (and everyone else out there) is welcome to disagree/agree/look sideways at it to their hearts' content.
Just this past weekend, during a show at the Washington State Historical Society, I had an opportunity to have exactly this conversation with an attendee. I didn't try to convince him one way or another, but simply laid out some (nowhere near all) of the advantages to BOTH DC & DCC. I then emphasized that, should he decide to build a layout, it's up to him to decide what's important to him.
I had much the same conversation with my father over the holidays (wait, what holiday, I worked straight thru...) about how he's going to help a friend get the friend's model railroad going. The first thing I did was send him my copy of Mr. Sperandeo's "Easy Model Railroad Wiring", which discusses both block and DCC wiring.
I feel it's much like John Armstrong's Givens and Druthers. I encourage all the people I talk to about trains (shows or outside) to get involved and TRY THINGS! You've just tried DCC, and sound (so to speak...) overjoyed. Frankly, so am I, having wired a DC layout in my youth which, although perfectly functional, never encouraged me to RUN trains. However, for other people, perhaps simplicity (for instance, not having to wire tiny locomotives when their eyes are aging) will be more important. Be open that perhaps there is a downside to one or the other, as several have done in this conversation.
Anyway, glad you're happy with your purchase. I'm trying to finish putting sound into an old Athearn GP50 for my son before the next show in two weeks. (He's another True Believer in DCC, but at not-quite-8 years old, I'll admit he's a little impressionable. )
armchair To the original poster ; You can see everyone has a different perspective on what They like. After using the dcc systems I've had , I would never wire another dc layout .This is not something I enjoy. Others enjoy wiring, that's what the hobby is all about. The manufacturers have, in My humble opinion, gotten a lot of us spoiled. This is a great time to get into the hobby (other than the economy) as it's easy to get great sound equipped locos in most anything You like. My question would be to the posters on here that buy decoders for 12.00 in bulk is this: are they a quality decoder ? How many = bulk ? Where in the world are You getting them so cheap ? God bless & luck to all.
Tony's train exchange http://www.tonystrains.com/products/nce_dec_medium.htm
$13.65 per decoder in a package of 10. NCE...best decoder made. I'm sure they're cheaper elsewhere.
Spoiled...I dunno....I kind of like my cell phone and HDTV. I'm sure in 1960 people thought those who had color TV were spoiled. 20 years from now we may laugh at DCC.
Hi Folks,
Someone questioned my $2k number for converting to DCC and I sure have to answer that charge. First of all, I am a 64 year old retired financial analyst who also did a lot of cost accounting for major oil companies. In short, I can add, count, and work up some pretty thorough estimates.
My new layout will have 4 power districts of 5 amps each, and two controllers. As I am going to Digitrax, a less expensive way to go is to get the Super Chief starter set, AND the Empire builder starter set. At discounted prices, the two will run about $675. In addition, I'll need two more 5 amp boosters, which run about $140 each, $280 total. Ok, now we are at $955.
Ooops, gotta have some power supplies - and its a toss up whether I get 4 - five amp supplies or the big Digitrax 20 amp supply. Either case is about $150. Ok, now we are at 1,105.
But wait, I've got 56 locos, but only 6 have decoders & sound. Most of the remaining 50 units are Stewart ABBA consists, with all units powered. As I have 6 of those, thats 24 decoders. And then there are the GP 7/9s, the P2K PA and E units, and the various Atlas and Spectrum units. Now I have no intent of going out and buying 50 decoders the first week, but intend on having most all the units with decoders by year end. So given an average discounted price of $15 each, that comes to $750.
Well, my math says we are now at $1, 855.
But I sure do want some sound, and plan on getting sound for several of the "B" units and maybe a couple of the other steamers. I have not priced these out yet, but expect that $60 each is not out of line. So I will probably end up with 10 or 20 of them, but lets just say 20. Therefore, 20 x $60 is another $1,200 bucks!
Oh my, now I'm at $3,055 - which is significantly over my quoted "$2k" amount - and I haven't even paid shipping and/or sales tax!!!
For the record, when I first talked on this forum about going to DCC and my requirements, several of the knowledgeable posters agreed that the $2k number was a good "starting" ballpark, and a couple indicated if I was really serious about it, then $2k was a low number. I guess they are right.