Dcc for large layout

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm racking my brain right now. I'm trying to figure out the best dcc system for my needs. My plans are to run four trains at one time on double loop to loop mainlines using dcc.
I'm going to run consist on all four trains. The layout I'm building is in a 40by30 ft room with long main line runs. I was looking for a system that was fairly simple, yet could have the wireless control that I could walk around, and switch from train to train.
The Prodigy {MRC} has the wireless feature but I think it can only run 4 locos at a time. Does that mean single locos, or consists. Would I need more than one throttle, to do what I'm trying to do? Any advice would be very helpful!
Thanks, Willjr

[jfugate]

I don't recommend MRC for larger layouts. They tend to design and market their products for the next stage beyond train set, and you will probably be disappointed if you go with MRC. Their systems tend to have lots of annoying little limitations that will drive you nuts and eventually you'll hit the wall and have to replace the system to grow any larger.

Take a look at Digitrax, Lenz, NCE and EasyDCC. Those systems will support larger layouts like you describe with no problem. If you want total wireless, NCE and EasyDCC have the greatest flexibility and wireless throttle options. The EasyDCC folks also sell wireless throttles for Lenz which is a nice option.

Digitrax currently requires you to plug in to acquire the loco with their wireless option, which forces you to run a throttle bus around the layout where otherwise you might be able to avoid having to do that with the other vendors' wireless option.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Joe,
I really appreciate your input. There are so many systems out there, that it becomes overwhelming, if you"re a novice. I"ll check into the one's you suggested. Also I'll check out your website.
Best wishes,
Willjr

[rrinker]

One question Joe, do you have all your boosters clustered in one central spot, or distributed to reduce the length of your track busses? Unlike NCE and CVP, Digitrax doesn't have two different cabling systems, one for boosters and one for throttles. So if you run multiple boosters you will have the cabling there ANYWAY for the throttle jacks - plus you have to plug in the radio receiver SOMEWHERE.
Frona n operator standpoint, I don't see the Digitrax plug-in concept being very restrictive. The running crew should NOT be selecting locos anyway, allt hey need is a basic throttle anyway. I read where you don't do any consisting during operations because of the location of the control center for the Easy-DCC. Freed of that limitation with NCE or Digitrax, a hostler could pull together whatever power was avalailable to make up the required tonnage rating for the train he was about to send out, and then hand that off to the called crew. As they traverse the main, the crew has control of their consist and has no need to plug in. At least, it seems to work on Ted York's layout from his op reports.

--Randy

[jfugate]

Randy:

I have everything clustered at one end of the layout ... the way it works on my layout all the major yards are at one end of the room, including staging, so centrally locating everything works really well and I didn't need to do excess runs of any power bus to get to where it needed to go from the booster to the track.

I know when we operate on my friend Charlie Comstock's layout, which uses Digitrax, we have to plug in to acquire the locos with his wireless throttles. Maybe Charlie needs to think through his operating procedures better -- Ted York's method sounds better.

I don't really have a need to make or break consists duing an op session ... didn't with my Lenz system ... and don't now with EasyDCC. It's never been because of a limitation of the system, it's because we haven't needed to during an op session. If I needed to do this a lot during a session, then NCE would do it nicely and I'd probably be using that system today instead of EasyDCC.

LocoNet is pretty cool, but I've been less than impressed with Digitrax's handheld throttles and the key sequences you needed to do much of anything. The new UT4 throttle looks like it addresses most of my complaints in this area, so bully for Digitrax! I use mostly Digitrax decoders in all my equipment, however.

[cmrproducts]

willjr

Are there any layouts or Clubs in your area that run DCC?

This is the best way to get a feel for the system and see what kinds of problems they run into.

I just hosted an OPTUD6 (OP Till U Drop) and had 50 operators in to run the trains. We were running from 9:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday (Apr 30). There were at least 20 trains in motion at one time and all my system was using was one 8 amp command station/booster. We run 98% radio system and we have very little trouble. I had people in from 80 miles away and a number were first timers.

This gave them a chance to see what a Digitrax system could do and with the number of trains running at one time it will tax any system. I have never found the magic number of trains that would make the 8 amp system shut down as the layout could not handle any more trains. (We were not running any sound units but plan on doing at the next major session)(and yes I will have to add more boosters as the sound units are AMP hogs!)

The layout is in a 25 x 75 basement and has over 2600 feet of track. It is only 5 years old so everyone is still very new to this layout and its operations. But we are having fun learning as we go!

We have a number of other layouts (in our area) coming on-line and they have begun to host Ops. None so far have tried to do the OP Till U Drop (I must be the only crazy one). But after having run the layout (I also have twice monthly Thursday evening Ops) many have purchased the Digitrax system. Why? Was it the best system?

NO!

It was because they could get hands on operation. Learn it from someone that was an actual user. They had someone that could help them when they had problems and they did not have to purchase the complete system only a Keypad/throttle and they could go play trains (Operate). When they felt comfortable with the system then they purchased one. They could see any problems the owner had and see if they could be fixed. And seeing it on a very large layout assured them that it would work on a small one!

So try and find anyone running DCC in your area and get to know them. They will probably be glad to have another operator and you can learn their system. If you don’t like it then try another. It will have saved you many hours of frustration and maybe money!

BOB H – Clarion, PA

[jfugate]

Bob H makes a good point.

One of the things I recommend to people who have asked me what system is best is to find out what other modelers in your area are using and give that system serious consideration, because you'll get lots of hands on help -- and the operators will know what to do naturally since they also own that system.

In my case, the local systems are Digitrax and EasyDCC. It's great to have an operator come, and if we needed to check something with the command station, they can do it 'cause they know the system well.

And the reverse is true when I'm at their layout. Very handy.

[Fergmiester]

I'm a Digitrax kind of guy. I run with a "Super Empire Builder" on a layout that's 10 x 22 and hope to expand. The present system suits my needs perfectly and will allow me to upgrade. To me that is the most important thing to consider.

Tony's Train Exchange and Loy's Toys have excellent websites with a Q&A section that will answer a lot of your questions.

Fergie

[ClinchValleySD40]

On my 60'x30' layout I use NCE. You can run multiple trains on one throttle using a recall feature they have. Very very simple system to use.