The background: After a 30 year break as an armchair railroader, I am now starting to get back into HO. I am basically abandoning all of my older gear and starting over with the idea of ATSF steam & diesels, from 1946 to 1950. I am designing a shelf (around the room) type layout in a 11x12 ft bedroom. I have picked up some Athern, BLI and Bachmann DCC and DCC+sound engines. (what ever happened to horn hook couplers?)
Now for the questions:
1) Starting from scratch here, What DCC controller would you buy and why? (I was leaning toward an MRC Prodigy wireless because I still have 30 year old working MRC dcc packs).
2) I was planning to go code 83. What brand of track/switches make the most sense with DCC?
3) How hard is it to convert Bachmann DCC to DCC+sound? (I read a lot of threads on this, but frankly am confused).
4) Any issues with the modern Athern Steam and DCC I should be aware of?
One thing you should have a look at is the JMRI software. The package includes Decoder Pro and Panel Pro.
Decoder Pro is the part that will make things easier when it comes to programming your decoders. With this software and a connection between your computer and a section of track, you will be able to configure your decoders and maintain a database of the settings.
The database will be useful in two common situations. The first is when something happens that requires a decoder reset, you can reload all settings from the database. The second is when you add a locomotive to the roster that has the same decoder, you can load the settings from the database as a starting point.
Even without a connection to the track, Decoder Pro can be used to determine the values to use for the various CV settings. To do this, set the layout connection to "Loconet Emulation" during Decoder Pro setup. Choose the decoder from the menu and open the programmer. Select the CV you want to set and Decoder Pro will allow you to set it. Once you have done this in emulation mode,you will be able to see the values for the CV. Once you have the values, you can program the decoder using your command station.
This brings me to my system recommendations. The MRC Prodigy Wireless has one disadvantage; there is no provision that would allow the full use of Decoder Pro. It could be used in emulation mode to obtain the values and maintain a database, but it could not be used to actuall program the decoders. An option that would get around this is the use of the Digitrax PR3. The PR3 is a standalone decoder programmer which can be connected to the track directly (this requires a 12 to 15 VDC power supply) or through the Digitrax Loconet. In standalone mode, all you need is the PR3 (with power supply), a USB cable, a section of track, and your computer to be able to program decoders and to update thesound project on the appropriate Digitrax sound decoders.
MRC does provide for a connection to the computer, but you have to use their software package which is rather limited (according to what Ihave read in thread on this and other fora).
I use Digitrax (the Zephyr) and feel you should at least take a lookat what Digitrax has to offer. NCE also deserves a look. Digitrax and NCE both have starter systems that can be expanded without have to replace anything.
There are several other manufacturers which I'm sure will be mentioned by others in this thread, I have a Digitrax system and am somewhat familiar with NCE.
As far as track is concerned, there are several options. You could use flex track and hand lay your turnouts. If that does not appeal to you, Atlas, Micro Engineering (ME), Peco, and Walthers/Shinohara offer good products. With ME, you are limited to number 6 turnouts. Peco can be rather expensive, but it is good. Atlas is economical and widely available, it also has a good variety. Walthers/Shinohara also has a wide variety.
In most cases, adding sound to a DCC locomotive is best accomplished by replacing the decoder with a sound decoder. There are sound only decoders available. The disadvantage with these is that you not only have to find room for the speaker, you also have to find room for the sound decoder. If you replace the decoder, all you have to find room for is the speaker and perhaps a capacitor.
If you get any Athearn units, try to avoid the ones factory equiped with MRC decoders. Just use the search feature here and look for threads about MRC decoders for the reasons. I have no personal experience with them and would rather you have the straight story from those who have.
I hope this helps.
Vernon
Vernon in Central Indiana
The hardest part about installing sound is finding room to mount the biggest speaker and enclosure you can fit, while still allowign a palce for the sound to get out. A speaker enclosure is a MUST unless you like quiet, tinny sound. Outside of this mechanical issue, the wiring is otherwise identical to a plain motor decoder - red and black to the track pickups, orange and grey to the motor, etc. When space is at a premium, remove the motor decoder and repalce with a single decoder that does both motor drive and sound - not only do they usually have better sounds than the add-in sound only decoders, you'll have less ehadaches programming a single decoder. Plus in the case of Bachmann, the included decoder for their DCC on board locos is not a very good one. Both QSI and Soundtraxx decoders will offer better (read, smoother and quieter) motor drive than the Bachmann decoder, and add the sounds.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
A couple of web sites to check
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ can be confusing, but has a lot of good info.
http://www.tonystrains.com/ has a product comparison chart and several articles as well as good prices.
I have NCE wireless and like it, but check the others out as well.
Enjoy
Paul