Hi! And Welcome Back!
I operated with DC since the early '60s, and made the switch to DCC at the same time I began building a new layout in early 2009. It was not an easy decision, but I am very glad I did it.
The Kalmbach books mentioned were (are still) a big help, as was reading this forum and asking lots of questions. Thankfully, the good folks here were pretty patient, and helpful.
The thing that held me up in making the switch was that DCC looked extremely complicated and it appeared a whole lot of electronics expertise was needed. The truth is (to me of course), it is relatively easy to get DCC equipped trains up and running and the basic wiring is pretty straight forward. If you choose to get more involved (i.e. signaling, DCC operation of turnouts & accessories, automatic routing, etc., etc.), it does get more complicated and more expertise is needed.
Installing decoders in locos ranges from pretty easy to fairly difficult, depending on the loco and whether or not it is ready for DCC, and other factors. In my case, I bought a number of locos with DCC installed (and sound!!!), and my remaining fleet was pared down to those that were not very difficult to install decoders.
Depending on the size of your layout (mine is HO, 11x15, two level), and your operational needs, DCC can be pretty costly. I've got about $2k in the system and decoders, but you can start out in steps and not spend a whole lot of money at once. Oh, one other thing....... which system to buy is a frequent question on this forum. I liken it to the question, "which is better, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Pontiac?, of my car nut youth. The big players are Digitrax and NCE, with MRC, Bachmann, and Lenz not far behind.
GOOD LUCK !!!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
These are very good and informative resources for DCC beginners.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn2/DCC.htm
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/intro2dcc.htm
For decoder installation it is best to got to the decoder manufacture websites. A very good site is TCS with its installation pictures. Each site will have recommendations on which decoder will fit in which locomotive.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
As for decoder installations, I believe that a google search will have you at blogs and at youtube links with all sorts of help, maybe even an installation highly similar to the one(s) you are contemplating. You can try a google-syntax search right here in "Search Community" to the right, in the sidebar, too...there may be a thread detailed enough to help you. Probably.
A couple of things to note: DC engines that are essentially poor runners are highly unlikely to improve with decoders in them. It seems to be a generalized finding across the hobby. Secondly, the decoder must only receive power from the pickups, and not be in electrical contact with the frame at all. Some of your locomotives may present a challenge to you in this respect. There are cures described in the various sources.
-Crandell
I second MB's recommendation for Lionel Strang's DCC Made Easy book. Lionel has a real knack for putting things in very understandable terms - without dummying it down.
Another good reference is found on Tony's Train Exchange web site: DCC for Beginners. You can either read it online or download it onto your computer as .pdf file.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I bought the book by Lionel Strang and read it a couple of times when I first came back to the hobby, 7 years ago after a 40 year absence. The book is actually pretty good, although I quickly went beyond what it had to tell me. Still, if you're into the digital waveforms and overall concept of DCC, it's good background material. Since I've always believed in understanding the fundamentals, I would recommend this one.
It's not the book for doing installations of decoders, though.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am getting back into model railroading after a long absence. I still have all my old equipment plus some new (and old) rolling stock kits to build.
When I quit years ago DCC was starting to become popular. I still have the DC equipment and want to switch over to DCC.
Is there a great tutorial out there?
I see Kalmbach has three of four books on the subject. Which would be the best one to start with?
Rob
Robert H. Shilling II