The "DCC WAVE" has it influenced your model railroading?

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpaulsen

I do not have DCC, I built the CTC16e system from a series of artcles in MR many years ago. I still use this system and it works flawlessly. .... My imagination will have to make the brakes squeal, make the compressor pump, ring the bell and blow the whistle. Looks like planned obsolescence has made a quantum leap into model railroad control systems.

Don't give up on sound so easily. CVP produced a newsletter about two years ago that showed how to tap the power off a Railcommand system for an independent sound system like Phonix's. Railcommand is the same as your CTC16 except for the value of ummm resistor 12 or 13. The sound part should work the same. I used the output of second decoder to control the sound.
http://www.cvpusa.com
http://www.phoenixsound.com/bs2k2/bs2k2.html

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mmartian22

hi is there any other companies besides soundtraxx that makes sound decoders

Much better sound is available from Pheonix.
http://www.phoenixsound.com/bs2k2/bs2k2.html

[cmurray]

I started off with analog Command Control with PSI's Dynatrol back in its infancy. When they developed DCC that was compatible as an add-on, I went that route too. Since I liked the DCC aspect so much, I totally converted. I haven't looked back!

DCC... it's the only way to go!

[Anonymous]

Dcc control is what really brought me back into the hobby.I got really tired of keeping up with block switches and wiring.Realistic operation and now sound.Maybe the Train God must of fried a couple transformers switching polarity,thought up dcc and sent it down for the multitudes to enjoy.How ever it came about it has been a well recievied boost to the hobby.Wireless control and the ability to go where your trains go while keeping them in control,watching that favorite engine transverse a set of switches head on .Instead of from the back or side while one hand is glued to the transformer and the other on the block switch.Long live DCC atleast till something better comes out.

[Anonymous]

I keep hearing about how expensive decoders are in this thread. Is it a matter of more features, or just outright quality. I've seen decoders advertised for under $20. Add a Bachmann EZ-DCC or a used MRC and I could have 2 engines rolling for about $125.00 Is this feasible or would I be buying a bag of cheap trouble ? Thanks for your experienced input. Dave

[Anonymous]

I didn't see it as one of the choices, but for me it would be using DC now, if money was no object sure I'd be DCC. But for now I'm trying to build my "N" scale empire out of quality components at a great price. That means buying up excellent MRC power packs that people are dumping on Ebay or locally because they went DCC. Buying Atlas controllers and switches for 25 cents on the dollar at shows, again because it's old school. I have 7 engines and only two are DCC capable. 2 are probably out of the question, and 3 could probably be converted. But right now I don't even have the time or money to convert all of them to Kadee type couplers. I'm wiring with many drops and quality wire, terminal blocks etc so one day I can just throw on all the blocks and hook up my DCC. Thanks, Dave

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johncolley
The biggest thing I have found is that DCC and sound make me want to operate realistically instead of just throttle-jockeying.

Have you found any sound units that have the engine sounds related to the load of the locomotive rather than the track voltage? I've been able to simulate this by programming the sounds to run one or two throttle steps above the motor speed control but that only works for stopping and starting. It doesn't crank them up to pull a grade. While creeping up a steep grade my diesel engine is just idling instead of blasing guts out like it should. The other solution is to use two throttels simultaniously, but then I am back to running the layout rather than the train.

[camarokid]

It sure has. I can't wait to run 3 trains at once and not really have to worry about anything but watching them run. Since I hate to wire, DCC is great. I have pulled some wire out and replaced it with 1 wire instead of all that block wiring. Ain't it great!! The best part is controlling the engine. Set the speed and watch it run. Archie

[Anonymous]

I do not have DCC, I built the CTC16e system from a series of artcles in MR many years ago. I still use this system and it works flawlessly. I do have individual locomotive control, but had to add Modeltronics sound to the locomotives to get the desired exhaust chuff. My system is the forerunner of todays DCC, but is in no way compatible with the newer systems. To answer a thread in this post, I do believe that todays high zoot electronic controls (i.e., DCC) will be tomorrows CTC16e. Even though my system is from another century, it has me completely sold on individual locomotive control. I could purchase and install one of the current DCC offerings, but elect to wait and observe just how quickly model railroad electronics evolve over the next year or so. My imagination will have to make the brakes squeal, make the compressor pump, ring the bell and blow the whistle. Looks like planned obsolescence has made a quantum leap into model railroad control systems.

Tom

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mmartian22

hi is there any other companies besides soundtraxx that makes sound decoders

Hello Martin,

Basically it's Soundtraxx and MRC. Hopefully after the QSI lawsuit is settled and sound continues to increase in popularity, more competitors will step into the ring.

Last I checked , TCS was developing sound decoders for steam locomotives. Hope they're continuing as competition is needed. For now, Soundtraxx is on "Top of the Food Chain".

I have to admit though that their DSX decoders sound nice! Expensive, but for most of us it's just a manner of saving and budgeting.

[mmartian22]

hi is there any other companies besides soundtraxx that makes sound decoders

[NZRMac]

I've just finished laying my main line track, and for the first time last night, I was able to stand back and watch as two trains rolled by.
I had to slow one down as it nearly caught up to the lead train. Yip DCC all the way, it's fantastic, easy to wire a new layout and I'm already having fun (can't wait for some sidings)

I've spent $130US on my Lenz compact and so far $100US each for two
soundtraxx decoders. I can't get them any cheaper over here so I've ordered from Tony's Train Ex

It's expensive but so are alot of hobbies.
A mate of mine has just blowen up a $65000 race car engine!!

Ken

[rrinker]

The Zephyr actually ahs all the features of the DCS100 command station that comes in the Super Chief, except absolute capacity, the Zephyr can only address 10 locos and 10 throttles (rumor mill says there's actually 12 slots, but I don;t have 12 decodered engines yet to try it, and I can see 12 throttles, 9 Loconet handhelds, the internal throttle, plus 2 jump port throttles), and the DCS100 can handle 120. The whole reason I went with a Zephyr is BECAUSE I can expand it. It has plenty of power for my currently building 8x12, but when I get to phase 2 and start building the rest of the way around my basement I'm going to need more power. For stage 2 I will get a Super Empire set both for the extra booster AND the extra throttle - cheaper to buy the set than buy the seperate items.
And you can do better than $169, at least in the US. I got mine for $145, brand new sealed in the box, from a reputable dealer. Ebay is your friend. [:D]

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by robengland

Why do several responses here say the Zephyr won't scale? That's what boosters are for. I'm not aware of any constraint on scaling up the Zephyr

I think they are refering to some of the additional features available with the Empire Builder or Super Chief sets. While these can be added to a Zephyr some of the functionality that the Zepher provides is duplicated. I have a Zephyr, I've added the computer interface module, and extra power stations, some feedback modules, and have yet to hit any limitation. But my primary system is still Lenz.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Snake

There just ain't enough room on a 5x13 for more than 1 freight and 1 passenger train.

Huh? My son's 4x8 easily handles 3.

QUOTE: The Digitrax Zephyr at $169 was cheaper than the cost of the toggle switches and electronic parts which would have cost me about $200.

Interesting. That might be a FAQ fact sheet in the making. Ever think about posting it so others could benefit from your research.

QUOTE:
[I have come to realize that the switch machines will need to be either DCC controlled or toggle switch controlled. DCC static decoders cost more than toggles but toggles put me back to a CTC panel. Whether I use DCC or toggles to switch turnouts I still need to take action and do the switching.

I have yet to figure out the attraction of the DCC controlled turnouts. Doing all that on what is supposed to be my locomotive throttle seems more like playing a video game than running a train or railroad. Perhaps someday I'll run across someone who has actually done it and see what the deal is. Our layout has hand thrown turnouts. That is the trainmen follow the train around and switch them manually.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpaulsen

I built the CTC-16e .... I still use this system .... I am trying to find a way to get the high zoot sound systems available today to work with my system. Big problem is I am not into electronics sufficiently to be able to determine if what I seek is even feasible.

Yes, it is. The trick is to filter the signal off the constant DC current and use it to power the sound unit. Then you can control the interactive sounds with a second decoder. I was just building one of these for Railcommand when the club decided to switch.
I was going to use Phoenix Sound modules. Right after that CVP published a news letter that had a schematic for this exact thing. You can probably still get it from them or off their web site. www.cvpusa.com

[CFournier]

Chuck,
I plan to buy some cheap decoders for my Athearn locos, I will need like 15 or more that I hope to buy in bulk at a rebate price. I live in Canada so buying by mail is too expensive as most US retailers charge high shipping and mailling fees to ship this side of the border. Hope my LHS will give me a good deal...
Chris

[CFournier]

AntonioFP45
It is an MRC AD370 that I paid $ 65 cdn, at my LHS. I am in the process of instaling it. I read some mixed reviews about it...When I hear it I will tell you...
Chris

[cwclark]

I feel intimidated because i don't use DCC (I've always tried to keep up with the technology of the MR world) but have discovered that I have over 25 locomotives and trying to get them all converted over will be way too costly...Let's say I wish I could, but my pocketbook says no....There are situations where DCC has a bonus...like two passing trains on the same track...with DCC only four switching moves are required to put a train on a siding while the other one passes and the train proceeds again..with DC there are 8 moves required not to mention that one train will have to be timed perfectly to get past the previous block and the other train must stop so that the polarity can be reversed in order for the train to proceed...I'm satisfied with DC for now, but maybe in the far distant future, i'll be able to go to DCC...Chuck

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier

AntonioFP45
Yes i did put sound in one Genesis Mikado and one Stewart-Kato F3. More to come...
Chris

Great! What type of decoder do you put into the F-3?

[CFournier]

AntonioFP45
Yes i did put sound in one Genesis Mikado and one Stewart-Kato F3. More to come...
Chris

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CFournier

I switched to DCC not long ago and i'm building a new layout. I own 30 locos. I have to decide wich ones will get Decoders and wich will go to the scrap line track ! I have 3 powered A-B sets of F3's and F-7's and I wi***he B units were dummys to save on decoders!!!Chris

Chris if this helps, quite a few Dummy B units show up on E-bay if you're in the market for them.

BTW: Have you put "Sound" in any of your units?

[ksax73]

Sure has.

A majority of my active locos are DCC operated. It has also allowed me to prototypically lash my locomotives together in consists so that I can pull long(er) trains with more pulling power. Prior to incorporating DCC into my layout, my locos were always getting strained somehow by the weight of the consist as well as the dummy locomotive right behind it.

[CFournier]

I switched to DCC not long ago and i'm building a new layout. I own 30 locos. I have to decide wich ones will get Decoders and wich will go to the scrap line track ! I have 3 powered A-B sets of F3's and F-7's and I wi***he B units were dummys to save on decoders!!!
Chris

[JerryZeman]

Nothing has increased the enjoyment of this hobby for me more than DCC. I've been running System 1 / NCE DCC since 1997, and I upgraded from Dynatrol, which I had since 1987. I wouldn't even consider a conventionally powered layout, even on a 4x8.

regards,
Jerry Zeman

[Texas Zepher]

I'm not twittered with DCC like some people are because I've been using various forms of command control since 1979? or so. The benefit of controlling the trains not the layout is by far the best feature.

There are two great advantages that DCC has over the older systems, the first is the software programming of the channel number. Nothing was more frustrating than showing up at a layout with a hard wired loco and finding there was already a locomotive with that channel number. Groan. Then try to rewire it for another channel.. ouch! not fun.

The other thing is the compatiblity of the vendors, and hence the price reductions. As another poster pointed out adding $50.00 to the cost of all locomotives was prohibitive, and this was back when the locomotive didn't cost that much. Obviously, I thought the command was worth it. Now that I can get decoders in bulk for $10 each, or even better pre-installed, there is no contest.

I would not start a layout today without using DCC. Its much easier if one starts that way. Pretty soon one will be buying a DCC decoder in the locomotive anyway whether or not they use it.

[Anonymous]

I'll stay with DC cab control. Funds are to hard to come by to lay out 15-40 bucks per locomotive, plus the control system costs.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by D_Davis

AntonioFP45----you belong to the Largo club??? I've been there during one of the shows.
I live here in Dunedin. Doing a free lance layout w/dcc.[8D]

Hello D_Davis,

I'm not a member but I have visited the club before. NIce bunch of guys and impressive layout. These guys can run 60 car coal trains with 5 unit lashups!

JIm Langston is especially a very courteous host ( he's also a CSX manager). From what I last heard they're completely re-doing the layout and are converting into DCC. Though some wanted Digitrax, they've adopted NCE. If my time were not so occupied, I would join as I would love to run some of my stuff on their layout. I plan on having a 14 car long version of the SCL Champion. I hope to run it on that layout someday.

Take care!

[Fergmiester]

Though I was not convinced as to the value of DCC, it took some one to show me the possibilities. DC Cab control was limited and restricted what I wanted to accomplish with my MR.

So I finally took the plunge. Though it hasn't been integrated into my layout yet. I have rerouted some of my wiring so all I have to do is plug in the DCC system. The change over from DC Cab to DCC was in theory simple. In practice it meant cleaning up my wire runs, which was overdue to begin with.

Now I will sit down and read the instructions before going any further.

I believe it will keep me interested in the hobby for a long time to come.

Seasons Greetings
Fergie