Hello all,
I am new to these forums. I have not done model railroading in a long time (when I was a kid my dad built it for me) but playing with my girlfriend's father's train set (Marklin) got my interest going again. Before i started out, I wanted to ask a question.
I intend to buy mostly Hornbys for my train set, because I prefer the British style of locomotives (watching Thomas the tank engine). The problem is that I'm Canadian and that England and North America have two different voltages for operating (although the model trains would work on regardless because 12V). Since I intend to buy Hornbys (and a some North American makes), should I get the DCC Hornby Select/Elite Controller and then buy a converter for the electricity socket, or buy Bachmann/other North American DCC System and just all the British locomotives to Bachmann/other North American DCC?
I look forward to the advice.
The DCC power and control is the same on the rails regardless. I'd suggest buying a system from some North American vendor that will plug right in, no fussing with converters. However, if the LCD screen with pictures on the handhelp appeals to you, ESU at least and probably others make versions of their systems for US/Canada. Personally I'd pick one where you can get some local support, not just an outpost of the factory somewhere. They'll all drive Hornby/Bachmann DCC locos just fine. If you buy Euro locos with no DCC decoder, many have a 6 pin conenctor. TCS makes decoders to lug in to this interface, so you have even more options.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Usually the adds tell you what the power pack will operate on. My NCE Power Cab very clearly says, 100 VAC to 240 VAC. Many DCC systems today use a switching power supply which can operate in this voltage range.
Some will say, 120 VAC to 240 VAC. If all else fails, follow instructions. Hopefully, you will read the manual first.
Rich
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.
I run several Hornby locos with my Digitrax system. There is absolutely no reason to choose the Hornby DCC simply because you are planning to run Hornby trains.
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
I got into the British loco kick for a while and all I can say is it is not worth converting to DCC. Hornby, Bachmann and Heljan have really bad copper pickups that rub against the instide of two the wheels on each truck and the electrical pickup is horrible. This is generally not a problem with DC but DCC does not like interupted current which results in constant startup/shutdown problems.
Perhaps other modeers in this forum have other ideas and better experience with the British models so don't take my word in this.
cadman1
Simplicity is not a reason?
Simplicity would be to buy a system that is represented locally, such as Digitrax, NCE, MRC, etc. Any NMRA compliant DCC system will run any NMRA DCC compliant locos. They're not going to run any better or worse just because everything has the same brand name and in addition by buying one of the brands mentioned above, you won't have to be bothered about the voltage and service, if needed is a lot closer. There are a lot of users here and near you of Digitrax, NCE and MRC that can help you should you need it, Hornby not so much. Most loco manufacturers do not make their own decoders (Bachmann being the one exception), the decoders are mostly supplied by QSI, Digitrax, Soundtraxx, NCE, ESU and a few others.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums