I am searching for a video that depicts a person operating their DCC railroad. A simple demonstration of starting a train, navigating it through turnouts and operating some of the simple features through the throttle. I want to start a layout, I have a Digitrax Evolunion starter set, and have programmed 4 locomotives on a small test track, so I do know how make them move and use the program keys to get the sounds. I’ve read about buss and powering the track and even the turnouts, however I’ve not found a video of someone just operating their trains. I understand I can operate several at one time too, but would like to watch someone do it first. I asked Digitrax but said they do not have one so I’m asking you!
Welcome to the forums, Scott.
What're you looking to get out of a video? Some kind of a tutorial or, just wanting to watch trains run?
It sounds like you've got everything working already
Not really much of anything else to do -- a larger layout is just, well, bigger .
Specifics about "controlling turnouts" kind of depend on what you want to do:
Controlling multiple locomotives generally falls into one of three buckets:
Now, if your layout has "continuous running" (such as a simple oval), some people may leave one train going "roundy-roundy" on the oval, while doing some switching with another locomotive in the yard or something. However, it's generally more "work" than "fun" trying to run multiple trains if you've got a point-to-point type layout.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
I'm not sure there is anything to see there. This guy does a lot of layout tours, so you can watch multiple operator sessions.
https://www.youtube.com/user/CNLVN/videos
Dan sums up the issue nicely. Mechanically or electrically, it's easier if there are multiple operators. People can juggle with balls or batons, so I assume some people can switch to trains on opposite sides of the layout at the same time.
The rest of us aren't professional jugglers.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Attend a train show. Not only can you see layout team members running DCC systems, you can also talk to them and get answers.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The full Digitrax throttles can have active control of 2 trains at the same time, they have 2 throttle knobs. Somewhat unique among DCC systems. However, any more than that, and the extras are running free (as in, free to crash into one another, free to run a turnout set against them and derail, etc) and is not recommended. Possible if you have a simple loop where one can just run and there's nothing to worry about.
For basic running of trains - to borrow from those other guys, just do it. Select a loco on the throttle, turn the knob, and have fun. There's no "techniques" to learn, just what buttons to push. You will learn a comfortable way to hodl the throttle that suits you - I hold mine down at my side in one hand with my thumb on the knob so I can both turn it to control speed and click it to change direction, a second hand only comes in to play when I need to activate a function like blowing the horn. But everyone does it a little bit differently. I'm not sure what watchign a video will get you that you won;t get from just picking up the throttle and running a train. It might SEEM like rocket science under the covers, but from the standpoint of just using it, it's really not. To use another analogy, so many people these days don't have a clue how to change a tire or change the oil, or change wiper blades, but that doesn't stop them from driving the car.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If you have a club nearby, you might join it and get involved that way. Not everyone likes a club but in your case, it might be a good way to dive in. Later, if you do not like the club approach, you can drop out.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Scott
Have you downloaded the "Digitrax Tool Box " app yet I find that to be real helpful...
NickyB
Thanks, this answer fits best, so based in your reply, I'm in search of a Video where someone has wired the DCC turnout and operator and runs a train along the route. For what it's worth I learned to run my trains when I was quite small by watching the big kids run theirs. The last time I ran my HO stuff was 30+ years ago using Atlas switches that operated the turnout. I'm suspecting that once I do get the proper switch machines and turnouts I push a button on the throttle marked SWCH and, OPTN or CLOC to set the direction. I just would like to watch someone do this to get a better understanding. Just don't know how to phrase the question I guess.
Ah, looking for a tutorial on setting routes or something...
Lotta guys don't use their DCC system for that, instead opting to use pushbuttons or DPDT switches, etc.
I think what you will need is stationary decoders. There is a MRVP video on wiring/using them on the Canadian Canyon but you need a subscription.
http://mrv.trains.com/how-to/wiring/2017/07/canadian-canyons-series-part-14--wiring-staging-yard-turnouts-to-a-stationary-dcc-decoder
edit I could have explained that better. A switch machine, like the popular tortoise is triggered by a switch (a turnout is not a switch, for purposes of this discussion). A stationary decoder serves the purpose of a switch. Controling one switch machine at a time is probably tedious. However setting a route, where the train passes through multiple turnouts to follow a desired route is more convenient, if you do it with just couple button presses in DCC or by using the older method, a diode matrix.
BigDaddyThis can also be done with diode matrix, but that's above my pay grade.
MR magizine ran an article on diode matices 25 years ago. It was titled someting like "REMOTE CONTROL OF TURNOUTS"
I control staging that way.
Dave
Scott UI'm in search of a Video where someone has wired the DCC turnout and operator and runs a train along the route.
This may not help, as there are multiple ways to skin this cat. At our club, we control mainline turnouts from the dispatcher's computer (we're a single-track with passing sidings); others are thrown with push-buttons on the fascia or yard control panels; and all can be thrown from the throttle (though we prefer to avoid this). Eventually, our yards will most likely have touch-screen computers or tablems from which yard operators will operate their turnouts.
Why so many ways?
On a DCC system, everything is networked together like a computer network. The turnout "listens" for a command to throw or close. It does not know, nor does it care, where that command comes from -- a throttle, a button, whatever. If it hears "turnout 3 close" it closes; if it hears "turnout 3 throw" it throws.
The beauty of DCC is that you can chose which way works best for you, and wire up your layout accordingly.
Hope this helps
Aaron