Please Help The Dummy II

[Anonymous]

First off Thank You for all the responses to my first PHTD post. The information was VERY helpful!

I have followed the advice I received here and completely cleaned all of the track (went through 3 "Brite Boys). I have found one switch that needs to be replaced, and will replace it very shortly. My questions are as follows:

I laid all the track (N gauge) about 8 years ago and then put the layout away. My son (10) has expressed an interest so here we go...

I think I would like to make some changes to the layout including adding a turntable. The system is currently wired for the old fashioned "block control" as opposed to DCC. Should I make the changes before or after I go to DCC?

I have just about decided on the "Digitrax" DCC, but I am really up in the air as to which system to go with. How easy is it to upgrade to the next level?
Should I just bit the bullet and go for the Super Chief?

Thanks to everyone on the forum for all of thier assistance!

Len [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Get the NCE Powerhouse pro :)

Jay

[Anonymous]

im going to change to DCC this year my self it makes running train alot funner. but taake you time and research and study it before you switch to it the hardest part is decoder installation and i model HO and its a little hard and i see you model N so it will be even harder, if you do switch get locos that have a DCC quick plug or are DCC ready.

[AltonFan]

If you have only a few locos, you're still at a fairly early stage, and you can afford it, get DCC now.

[Anonymous]

I converted to a Digitrax Zypher and am very happy with it! I added a DT 300 hand held throttle that will do everthing but wipe my nose. The Zypher is the most reasonably priced DCC unit on the market, I believe all Digitrax units are compatable with each other, so you can add to the system, when it comes time to add on or discover you need more power. I have a reasonably sized layout and am presently running the DCC through my old block system. I may change this at some point down the line. DCC is great, anybody whom tells you differant, can't have given it much of a chance. It's like Digitrax's motto, start running trains, instead of track!

[swknox]

All of the Post were excellent in the content so not much to add. The one question though is if you have a small or large layout? If you have a small layout or even a large layout but just a few loco's to control then why not just stick with a simple and easy DCC controler such a Atlas Master DCC. This worked great for me for at least a year in a half until the recent upgrade to a NCE Powerhouse Pro and this also works great but I also have a lot more Loco's than what I started out with. When I started I had about 10 loco's now I have about 25.