To DCC or not

[shawn-118]

To DCC or not that is the question.....
I've just started to get back in the hobby after 15 years and so much has changed, I feel like I'm being swamped with all the new items and places to buy them. I'm planing on buying my first house this summer/fall and have talked the girlfriend into giving me a room big enough for a layout in it( she gets a sewing room, fair trade). But from now until we buy the house I still get my paycheques to spend how I want....Seeing as this is my first attempt after so many years I was wondering "To DCC or not" Is it easier to plan the layout and then to switch to DCC or should I plan on DCC from the start? What are the advantages to DCC, and is it easy for the tech. impaired? What componets should I be buying before I lose the reasources to fund the more costly peices? I plan on doing a N-scale, so is DCC a realistic way of doing a room sized lay out? Help I'm so confused.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I'm working on my first serious layout and DCC is now a choice I am facing. I am using control blocks right now, and I think if I would have went DCC from the start, my layout would have been designed alot better. As far as being new to designing, control blocks made me think of my layout as certain things happening in certain parts, which restricted my designing to encompass single train operation. I have three ovals on the main table and a out and back on an L. I limited access to the yard, which is on the inner oval, due to my mindset of single train in the yard, run the others on the ovals.

Even though I wish I had designed with DCC in mind, it will work out for me in the end, as I have young children who can run the trains in their endless circles, but I limited myself when I thought in blocks instead of the overall layout.

I can't help you with the cost questions, but if you are planning on going DCC at any later time, make sure the engines you buy have DCC jacks. I didn't think ahead, and now I'll have to buy harnesses to solder in, but at least I don't have a bunch of useless engines.

Good luck!

[cacole]

Personally, I would not start off with DCC in N scale for a small home layout. The advantages of DCC over DC block control might not be worth the cost. Your biggest problem in N scale is going to be finding locomotives that can have decoders installed, and without that DCC would do you no good. For a small layout where you probably won't be operating more than 2 trains at the same time, plain DC control will suffice quite well. You can always switch to DCC later if you so desire, but it would be best to start off simple and then progress as you gain experience.

[Anonymous]

DCC.

It works best on small layouts where 2 trains running would mean constant toggle-flipping with DC block control. Don't know where people got the idea that DCC is for "big" layouts.

Start now while you're small and you won't face the "I have 50 locomotives and can't afford to convert them" issue later on.

[Anonymous]

Go DCC. I know there is an "up front" cost that looks daunting, but as an N Scale modeler, there has been a lot of "hidden" costs in going DC, then switching.

First, The amount of time and money you spend wiring blocks to switch controls will surprise you.

Second, DCC takes care of moving head to head on small layouts without having to perform complicated block control as you move as little as two trains. It gives you immediate control of the CAB, not the block.

Third, low speed operation means EXTREMELY low voltage in DC. This means that the trains sputter and fight with the smallest track corrosion or dirt. with DCC the track power is at "FULL" the entire time, and the decoder realistically drives the motors. This benefit alone will save you hours of headache later.

Finally, the cost of switching all of your locos to DCC later will be agravating. That bill will be huge, and yes, you will have purchased locos that will be next to impossible to convert because you were not looking for DCC friendly manufacturers, etc... Not to mention the redundant work you will have done to create blocks will not realistically match what you want if you start using the DCC signaling and block control.

DCC decoders are availble as snap in board, or plug and play, for almost all popular new locomotives. If not, there are plenty of sources for pre-built locos, as well as components and frames.

I agree, I don't know where people get the idea that DCC is only for "Big" layouts. My first little layout in N was beautiful with DCC. (Mind you, I started it in DC and cite the pain I incurred switching to DCC, here as this post.) You can literally build any small layout, avoid reverse loops, and just add power to the tracks from your DCC unit and run trains in any direction, at any speed, without issues.

Afordability is subjective... but let's be honest here. If you plan on getting into the hobby, you are going to invest a lot of time and money to run miniatures like the real thing. DC is dead, DCC allows the best prototypical operation. The changes to DCC are staggering, soon it will be more economical to handle some of the most realistic operations imaginable with little to no effort or complicated wiring.

Summary, GO DCC... DON'T LOOK BACK. Plan it into your new layout. Try to find somewhere in your area that is running DCC currently and ask them to let you see the difference!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

DCC is where the hobby is going, DC is where the hobby has been with power packs, before that trains were run with battery power. I had a small N scale layout 2 1/2 by 8 and ran it with blocks first, then DCC. On a small layout your "electrical blocks" (necessary for DC running) are usually quite short, so to move multiple engines around the layout will mean you are hitting toggles about every 10 to 20 seconds.

But DCC is not just about blocks. About every 6 months something new is added to what decoders can do (where all the research is happening). In just the past 5 years decoders have become smaller, cheaper and more functional; from whistles and bells and lights to auto-uncoupling, less reliance on track power, "cruise control" (back EMF), consisting, and I'm sure I've left something out of the list.

We are becoming computerized people with chips in the refrigerator, the camera, the car, cell phones, etc. So there is no reason to think that model railroading is going to be left in the dark without computers.

My recommendation is to buy your system now. You will have more income now (disposable) than when you buy the house, have to put up a substantial down, pay the lawyer, get the insurance, do the repairs, change the this and that.

My recommendation is that you buy Digitrax or Lenz as both will allow you to expand as your needs electronically grow.

[Anonymous]

I have heard a lot of good things about DCC and some day may convert. However, due to the initial cost and a fixed income I have chosen to go DC with CTC (Centeralize Train Control) - the toggle switch panel. I am still building my layout and haven't run any trains on it yet so couldn't answer to whether I will be "constantly switching" toggles. On my 5'x12' HO layout I plan to run both a freight and passenger consist. The passenger train will for the most part run on the outside track. The freight train will stay mostly on the inside track. I have a double cross-over so the trains can switch inter to outer and outer to inter. Here is my track plan, http://members.cox.net/dbhuff/dsrr/

[nfmisso]

DCC

No question. Go with an Atlas Commander or Digitrax Zephyr.

Read: http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm

Install the cabling and sockets for multiple throttles around the layout, use 12 or 14 guage wire for a bus. Use manually controlled turnouts, and mechanical linkages for ones you can't reach, I like Peco for thier built in toggle spring, and reliable operation.

DCC equipped or ready locomotives are widely available in N scale, take a look at:
http://www.dcctrains.com/specials/specials.htm
on some manufacturers, N is at the top, and others the bottom.

[RhB_HJ]

Main advantage of DCC: Less wiring complexity, more reliable operation due to full max voltage on the track.

Disadvantage: lots of choice (you need to do your homework), each engine needs a decoder, trouble shooting is trickier than standard DC.

Price is about the same depending on how large the layout is.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ACL Fan

DCC.

It works best on small layouts where 2 trains running would mean constant toggle-flipping with DC block control. Don't know where people got the idea that DCC is for "big" layouts.

Start now while you're small and you won't face the "I have 50 locomotives and can't afford to convert them" issue later on.

AMEN brother! (can I get a hallelujah from the choir) [:D]
On both counts. My home layout is small, but I can imagine doing all the switching and intermixing of engines with DCC. Just trying to remember block limits is a total hassle! Also starting with a small fleet is easier. When I got my DCC I had about 60 engines, and it took me a few years before I got to the "everything is DCC" stage. But all new engines are purchased with the right decoder and get practical immediate use!

karlb
visit the fcsme at www.fcsme.org
NCE_DCC since 1998
DC free since 2002[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

DCC is outstanding. I use the Digitrax Super Empire Builder. One of the best reasons I like it because I can control the turnouts on my cab. I am using DS44 Stationery decoders to operate the turnouts. Each decoder will operate 4 turnouts and work great with Tortoises.

The other obvious benefit is running several locos on the layout. So many new locos are available (Atlas Master Series) with decoders already installed. They work fine with most systems. Other locos that are DCC Ready will require you to pop of the shell and simply plug in a decoder of your choice. I started out with a two function decoder (power and lights). Now I am into more functions like sound - and this is where the real fun begins!

Go DCC - it's the latest method and I think it's the best. I also think the Digitrax Zephyer is a good system to start and grow with.

DOG