To DCC or not that is the question...

[FulhamFC]

I'm going to be starting a new pike and after planning it and getting to a point where I'm generally happy with it my thoughts turned to a question of power. On previous attemps DC has been the order of the day, mainly because i still had a couple of controllers lying around from the train sets I had recieved years ago!. I intend to model in N gauge as as yet have no American motive power so if i switch now would be the time. Living over here in rainy old england not many model shops stock american equipment so most would have to get it all online from shops who have a limited range. now I've waffled on a bit I will get to the point. Half of the locos avalible are not DCC ready the rest are, don't want to buy an expensive piece of rolling stock then mess it up trying to put a decoder in. I intend to use Kato unitrack so not sure which system is easier to wire up with it DC or DCC. all the kato points come ready fitted with a motor and can work with either power system. HELP!

[swervyn]

Something to ponder when you are deciding between DC or DCC.

Up to three years ago I was dead set against DCC, I had a perfectly good sectional layout with two PWM hand built controllers with walk around controls with momentum, brake, inertia etc….why would I need to change?

I then started operating a mates DCC layout at a number of operating sessions when one night, the light came on that on my layout I was busy running the track, switching sections etc, and could really only successfully operate two trains at any one time. On my mates layout I was running trains, not the track and we were operating more than six trains at any one time…

I converted to DCC three years ago and would never go back to DC. There is so much scope for operating trains correctly, switching, signalling, multi-unit operation, pushers etc, and it all adds up to increased fun with the hobby.

Don’t be concerned with lack of supply of choice in England. I am from a regional part of Australia and don't get to the cities often and have purchased all my DCC parts except the transformer by on-line from the states. Takes one week to get here and have never had a bad order yet. Don't worry about fitting decoders, once you have fitted two you can almost consider yourself an expert!

It is a personnel thing, if you enjoy rains trains around in circles and not into switching or multi-uniting, etc, then stick with DC, but if you want more then consider DCC.….

Hope the above helps you decide.

[tricky_trev]

Swervyn said it all in one sentence: With DCC you are running TRAINS, not the track....

[MisterBeasley]

I agree.

To answer your question about wiring, it is far easier to wire for DCC.  You don't need to worry about blocks.  For a modest-sized layout, you can wire everything as one big block.  You still have to be concerned with reverse loops and reversing wyes, but this can easily be handled automatically in DCC.  I would still advise using "kill switches" for tracks you will use for engine storage, or for sidings where you might keep illuminated passenger cars.

Larger layouts are best divided into isolated sections so that you can protect parts of the layout with individual circuit breakers, and you can use separate power modules, or "boosters," to spread the load.  Once these are wired, though, the transition from one section to another is seamless and requires no special attention from the operators.

DCC has a great impact on small layouts, by the way.  You don't have to worry about where blocks begin and end, so you can run any locomotive anywhere on the layout.

[FulhamFC]

Thanks for the messages and I think you have helped to sway me.

swervyn

It is a personnel thing, if you enjoy rains trains around in circles and not into switching or multi-uniting, etc, then stick with DC, but if you want more then consider DCC.….

I am into switching and muti-uniting everything I find anoying in DC. have done some research and some of the locomotives i could get are DCC ready and the shop will even fit the decoder of your choice before sending it to you! Just have to decide now which is the best DCC system for me!

[fwright]

Whether to recommend DCC or not, like so many hobby choices between alternatives, depends on the priorities of the end user.

I would probably recommend DCC over DC if you:

• want to run more than one train at a time simultaneously.  Many model railroaders like to run more than one train for each operator at a time.  I don't understand this desire, but there are plenty who have it.
• are not happy with or don't have any existing DC equipment
• are OK with spending a little more for more advanced technology
• want to use sound-equipped locomotives
• want (and are willing to pay for) wireless walk-around control
• don't mind learning how to program decoders

I would probably recommend staying with DC if you:

• have a single operator layout with only one locomotive/train operating at a time
• have existing DC equipment that satisfies you
• don't want to spend any extra money on your control system
• don't care about sound in your locomotives - can be for a variety of reasons such as locomotives too small, quality of model sound overall, don't want the complexity, and just prefer quiet.
• don't care if others think you are a dinosaur/stupid/don't get it/ because you haven't switched to DCC
• you don't mind learning how to wire a layout for DC so that it is optimized for your operating preferences

 As you can see, it's a personal decision that depends on your priorities and preferences. 

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W