I have been out of the hobby for over 20 years and now I am getting back into it due to the arrival of a grandson. All I know is DC, I have built my framework and have the foamboard in place, I am now getting to ready to lay my roadbed and track, but still have not decided to go with DC or DCC. All of my engines are at least 20 years old, I have a few Bachmann Spectrum and some Proto 2000 engines, they were purchased about 18 years ago. I don't know if these engines can be converted to DCC , nor do I have a clue . What I would like to know is if there are some publications out there for people like me who don't have a clue about DCC, something on the order of a 'DCC for Dummies" book. Any help would be appreciated.
I just realised that I put this on the wrong forum. Sorry
Hmmmmmmm..................from what I get on here it's so simple you won't need a book, just hook up 2 wires and bring lots of ca$h!!!
Mark
It's not quite that easy. I recommend getting this book to get your feet wet. DCC
First you need to decide which DCC system is right for you. I have the NCE Powerhouse Pro 5amp, it's a great system even for beginners. It's easy to learn and use.
Now you have to decide, if you want to try to install DCC decoders for all your locomotives, which is hard for a beginner, trust me I fried 2 decoders. Now I have someone that does professional DCC installs for me. You also need to decide if you want sound with your locos.
Of course it all costs money. There's a heck of alot to it than just hooking up 2 wires. But I was a complete newbie, and I just started off with DCC, and was able to install it myself.
Just read as much as you can, and then ask educated questions.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
There's a "DCC For Beginners" booklet available free on Tony's Train Exachange's web site. You can either read it on-line or download it and read it with Acrobat Reader.
http://www.tonystrains.com
Forty Niner Hmmmmmmm..................from what I get on here it's so simple you won't need a book, just hook up 2 wires and bring lots of ca$h!!! Mark
That's pretty much true. You'll need the "base station"(DCC controller) that typically costs $150 bucks and on up-- can be over $500-600 if you get something fully-tricked out with all the bells and whistles. Then you'll need a DCC decoder in each engine you plan to run. If you do all the work to install them yourself, the decoders can be as little as $10-15 bucks each, in quantity and if you shop around. Usually decoders in this price range are pretty basic and with minimal lights controls, but are otherwise okay for use. You can of course get more expensive decoders or including decoders that have built-in sound. It's up to you of course which of your locos you choose to upgrade to DCC. And nowadays you can buy locos with the decoders already built-in for just a little more than the DC loco alone.
John
Kalmbach has had a couple out and I think they have another one on the way. Like most electronics these days, you really want a recent book so it has all the latest information.
A good web site is http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ it has a beginners page.
Any engine can be converted to DCC, but some of the old cheaper ones may not be worth the trouble or expense.
DCC is more expensive and whether or not to go with DCC depends on what kind of layout you're building and what kind of operations you envision. A table top, with multiple loops of track, where you mainly just watch the trains run from a central control panel may be best with DC, especially if cost is an issue.. A large walkaround with multiple operators and switching may be better with DCC. If you want sound in each locomotive, DCC is the way to go.
Personally, I switched to DCC when wireless throttles became available and really like having sound in the locomotive.
Enjoy
Paul
Oh boy, here we go again. DC or DCC for a veteran modeler returning to the hobby after a long hiatus.
I am a DCC guy, but I am always in the minority on this topic. Most say go with DCC, but I say stick with DC, at least for the time being.
DCC itself is no big deal. But the decoder side of DCC is a big deal, especially for someone with a lot of older DC equipment. Not only is decoder installation challenging in DC locos that are not "DCC ready", but on older DC equipment, you also have issues with isolating the motor from the metal frame.
Do yourself a favor and get back into the hobby by building a layout that can be operated in DC. Once you are up and running, you can eventually convert toDCC, and without a great deal of effort I might add. Meanwhile, get a beginner's book on DCC just to get acquainted with the subject.
Just my thoughts.
Rich
Alton Junction
woodman I have been out of the hobby for over 20 years and now I am getting back into it due to the arrival of a grandson.
I have been out of the hobby for over 20 years and now I am getting back into it due to the arrival of a grandson.
That sounds like your are doing it for your grandson, which is great that you can spend time with him doing something that you both will like but if you are not going to be "playing with trains" when he is not around other than building up some scenery or buildings, then sticking with DC maybe the better way to go on the wallet. DCC is great and overall cost, after you buy the system, is not going to break the bank if you are upgrading an engine or two at a time. And if you are doing a smaller layout there is not much extra wiring you would need to do over DC for some basic running, maybe add an extra feeder or two on a 4x8 layout. But if you are going to playing trains when he is not around, DCC is great if you want to operate several trains at the same time but I would visit a few clubs in your area and try out their systems if they run DCC. I have the Digitrax Super Empire Builder and love it and the NCE system is well respected as well.
My opinion on the subject is something like this:
Compare it with this; you return to writing books after a 20 year hiatus, would you reach for the old typewriter? I guess that you wouldn´t, as a computer is what you use today.
I sure as heck wouldn´t dare leave a book to a publisher without a CD/DVD copy.....
You sell the old stuff and jump into the new technology, as there is so many now that uses it and can help with your questions, that would be the sensible choice.
I even know some people that can´t even imagine how to wire up a DC layout with all switches, but they can make a remapping on almost any DCC decoder...
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
My Railroad
My Youtube:
Graff´s channel
DCC links to look though. Save the ones you like to Favorites for future reference. You will need them.
Click on DCC for Novices.
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/index.htm
Some more to probably confuse you. Sound decoders are nice but not necessary. Buying sound equipped locos is generally less cost and heartburn. I have done both.
There are Gotchas in DCC so be sure to ask until you gain more experience. I belong to about 20 forums and have seen different issues mostly because people did not ask first. Have you ever hard someone look at an issue and say, “Oh, that does not look too hard”.
Same with non-sound DCC equipped locos but depends on you experience with model locos.
http://www.nmra.org/standards/DCC/
http://www.soundtraxx.com/
http://www.ncedcc.com/
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/dcc/presentations.html
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm
It may help to ask here first before buying.
Bottom line, when someone says, it is easy, they have experience.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
woodman,
Two resources I've found helpful; one has already been mentioned:
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Forty NinerHmmmmmmm..................from what I get on here it's so simple you won't need a book, just hook up 2 wires and bring lots of ca$h!!! Mark
Mark,
Like DC, DCC can be as simple or as complicated; as inexpensive or as costly as you want it to be.
When I first got my "feet wet" with DCC back in 2005, I had only two locomotives. One conversion was a simple plug 'n play; the other required me to isolate the motor. Thanks to Randy (rrinker)'s handy online tutorial, I was able to do that myself and learn something about decoder installations in the process.
I also chose a very basic DCC system (Bachmann's E-Z Command) to start out with because I didn't have a lot of money to spend. Between the two decoders and the E-Z Command, I got into DCC for just under $100. Even though the E-Z Command was "limited" (and I knew that going into it), I had a blast operating two locomotives simultaneously but independently on my 4 x 8 layout. And I did it...using only 2 wires.
Could I have done that with dual cab control for under $100? Maybe. In this particular instance, DCC might have been both the cheaper and simplest option for me.
Mark, I won't argue with you that DCC can be expensive or complicated. It doesn't, however, necessarily have to be that way. Whether DC or DCC, start up cost is primarily contingent on two things:
Depending on how you answer the first point, either system can be cheaper or more expensive. The difference really comes into play in the second point, as converting a large roster of locomotives over from DC to DCC can put a dent in the hobby budget. Like any project, the good thing is that you can do it a little at a time.