I've had both of my layouts wired for "duel power" for about 3 years now. I wanted to run my older DC equipment as well as my newer locos so I put 2 DPDT (2 separate loops separated by gaps) switches in and I can run both but I prefer not to....one or the other to be on the safe side.
Eventually the DC equipment will become muesum pieces and I'll rewire both layouts for DCC only but for now, all my equipment gets equal time on the layouts.
Bob Berger, C.O.O. N-ovation & Northwestern R.R. My patio layout....SEE IT HERE
There's no place like ~/ ;)
If you are going to go the DCC route, you really should consider either NCE or Digitrax. But while you are saving up for a DCC system, you can run DCC locos on a DC layout. Just not the other way around. Even though Digitrax has the capability to run a DC loco, many folks that have done it found that it was nowhere like running a DC loco on a DC layout as there were some hiccups with it.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Pappys trains,
To The Forums.
If your DC Cab Control has common rail wiring, you will have to add more feeders to the common rail side, especially if it is a large layout, for your DCC System to work effectively. Don't rely on a couple feeders and rail joiners to carry power, DCC is less forgiving in that respect than DC.
Good Luck, on your choice.
3 Cab DC user, but not common rail.
Frank
cmrproductsSome still just had to have the ability to run DC and DCC!
An important note: Several mfg's DCC systems support operation of a DC loco. NCE does not, it only runs DCC decoder-equipped locos. Like several of the other comments indicate, NCE figures once you go with DCC, you'll not want to bother with DC.
Some people go this route, a DCC system that also operates a DC loco, as they feel it helps get them through the conversion. If the ability to use the DCC system to drive a DC loco is a factor for you, then consider something other than NCE.
I never missed DC once I took the plunge. I converted a bunch of locos to start, then worked on the others a little at a time. I always had plenty of DCC motive power, so DC was not a factor in my DCC choice.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Pappy,
Listen to the above posts - Do not just put your DCC command station on one of the cab control positions. An engine or metal wheel crossing the 'gap' between blocks can at worst destroy your DCC Comand Station, or at least mess up the programming in a decoder. Your need to have a DPDT switch that selects one or the other.
You will find that running DCC/Sound so enjoyable that the other engines will just 'sit'. As 'special' as some of your older engines are, they may not be good candidates for conversion to DCC. I have several in that catagory - I either sold them off or they are displayed in a wall mounted display case.
I looked at the MRC Prodigy Explorer. It is very limited - it will only control 4 engines with simple 2 digit addresses. You need to add the teathered walk around throttles to address 4 digit engine numbers. The Prodigy Express may be a better 'starter' system. One of the big issues with MRC systems is the cost of expansion - The upgrade path is limited and can be costly.
The good news is that MRC finally is allowing JMRI computer interface to be attached to their systems. While it may not seem like a big thing, you will find it invaluable for programming your DCC decoders. IIRC, MRC is making this announcement at the NMRA Cleveland Convention in July.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Way back in my early DCC days I was convinced that DCC was the way to go!
I had DC walk around throttles and then I went with the Analoge Command Control (Keller) and knew that this was the way to operate trains!
When my other Operstors wanted to finally go DCC they too wanted to use DC & DCC engines and not have to convert their complete fleet at one time!
I finally convinced them to begin the process of changing engines over a few at a time and then when they had a number working on DCC then purchase a system!
It doesn't really matter the MFG of the DCC system as they ALL work - some just have more features!
All of the Decoders will interchange and this is what helped a lot of my Local Operators begin the change over!
But Some still just had to have the ability to run DC and DCC!
But once they began using the DCC the DC stuff was removed never to see the light of day again!
As for the owners fleet of engines
Most have only 3 to 5 engines they really run a lot.
Another 5 or so that get run occassionally
and the rest of the engines Not So Much - and the REASON - they NEVER ran good on DC !
And be honest - they really didn't run well - or they would have been in the top 10 engines you ran!
So they are not worth the time or money to convert anyway!
Time to let them go and move them to the Flea Markets and let Others find out how poor they run!
You now have some additional Money to purchase Good Engines!
Been There!
BOB H - Clarion, PA
Welcome aboard!
How many of these engines do you have?
My experience with DCC was so immediately positive that I put my DC system under the layout and never connected it to the track again. If you've only got a handful of DC engines, I would say that you're better off putting your efforts into installing decoders than into rewiring to support DC/DCC operations on the same layout.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I agree with Mike. How many locos are you planning on running at once? How expandable is the MRC unit? I use Digitrax myself, but NCE or Digitrax are both good systems. Both are expandable and offer wireless throttles. Joe
cacole's tip about being capable of selecting only one power source, DC or DCC, at a time is very important.
Some peopletry to operate both at once. But all it takes is one wheel bridging a gap between adjacent blocks that are DC and DCC on each side of the gap to blow your DCC system up. OK, there won't be anything explosive, but the smoke will defeinitely come out and you will be sad
If you don't anticipate significant expansion, the MRC may be all you ever need. But if you're thinking about a bigger, more complex layout down the line, you may want to consider the NCE PowerCab. It can be used just like a regular cab on the full-scale NCE Power Pro systems o9r it has a boposter to supply more power if that's all that's needed. I'm onviously pushing NCE, because I use it, but in general, try out several systems to see how comfortable you are with each one's basic features if at all possible.
The simplest way to accomplish that is a toggle switch between the DC controller and DCC controller so only one or the other can be used at any one time.
If you want to run a locomotive with no decoder, use your standard DC power pack by flipping the switch to the "DC" position -- to run a decoder equipped locomotive, flip to the "DCC" position.
Never leave a locomotive with no decoder sitting on a DCC powered track for an extended period of time or the motor could overheat and be burned up.
Remove those locomotives with no decoder before running on a DCC powered track.
I have no experience with the MRC Prodigy, but the above advice applies to all DCC systems.
For a couple of years now I have been thinking of converting to DCC, but I have this fear that once I begin the process, I will not be able to continue using some of my engines that have yet to have decoders installed. Is it possible to do switch back and forth until all of the decoders are installed? I just saw some info on the MRC Prodigy Explorer, which seems like a good way for me to start - does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on this system?