Getting restarted in HO

[john lea]

Sorry folks, I'm new to this. I posted in the Toy train classics, if you can help me please read my "Getting Restarted" there!![:p]

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

Here is your original question:

QUOTE:

Ive been out of HO's for so long I need to research, thanks to the forum.
Question? What have you all found to be the best and least inexpensive way to start with dcc. Since my loco's are mostly 70's brass I don't know anything about retro-fitting them with the horns, bells & whistles, let alone just getting the to run.
I like to lay my own ties, ballast & etc. Not switches, to tough to guage. I'm o.k. with the lay out wireing.
--------------------
John, 4449 West Coast, S.J. Div.

The best stuff in my opinion (and it is just that) is Digitrax. This is what we use at the local modular club. No complaints. Digitrax also makes a "starter set" called the Zephyr that comes highly recommended. It looks more like the old power packs (i.e. a big throttle knob on a box) but it has almost all the features of the big guys. If you are running a monster layout with dozens of locos at once, you will need something bigger. If you are running something small-ish, it should be fine. http://www.ttx-dcc.com is Tony's Train Exchange. They also come highly recommended as a source of info about, and supplier of all things DCC. The Zephyr should be well under US$200 by now. You will have to buy a decoder for each engine - they start at about $20. If you want (literally) the bells and whistles (i.e. sound decoders), they are somewhat more expensive - up to a few hundred $$$ each, depending on what you need.

As for converting brass locos - if I had any, I'd let the club expert have a go at it. From what I understand about brass, especially older stuff, is that the frame is used for routing power to the (usually open frame) motor. This is a DCC-no-no. The motor must be insulated, as it has to be under the direct control of the decoder. That means the power must be delivered to the decoder, not the motor. It may not be worth your while to try to do this due to 1) the amount of work involved, 2) the cost, and 3) the value of the "original" brass may be compromised if you modify it (if you're into the "collector" part of the hobby too). It may be simpler to get some of the nice new well-detailed plastic engines that come with a decoder (or are decoder-ready), a quiet, powerful "can" motor, and so on.

I hope this is useful info for you. Good luck! Don't be afraid to ask more questions...

Andrew

[AntonioFP45]

Hello John,

MasonJar gave you some excellent tips! [swg][tup]

A very good friend of mine owns a WestSide Models Southern Pacific GS-4
"Daylight" steamer. He purchased it in 1978, and it's a beauty! [8)][:D][8D]

Just 3 weeks ago after sitting for nearly 2 decades he gave her a minor maintenance tune-up and equipped it with DCC (Digitrax decoder) and a "Mars LIght" lighting kit. The performance is great! I'm trying now to "persuade" him to install a Sound decoder since Soundtraxx makes one for the GS4!

If you intend on keeping your brass models, by all means go for DCC! Even better if you wi***o equip your brass models with DCC/Sound decoders from Soundtraxx. According to the research I've been reading, sound from brass locomotives resonates more dynamically than plastic. [:D][8D][;)][:)]

Go to: www.LitchfieldStation.com

It's a very good DCC dealer that sells DCC equipment at discount prices, including Soundtraxx decoders. When you get to the site, click on DCC University which explains DCC in easy to understand detail. There are also sample pictures of his work if one decides that they want DCC professionaly installed.

If you should have further questions, e-mail Bruce at :
[e-mail] Bruce is very good about responding to e-mail questions and gladly gives installation tips for those that want to do it themselves.
[4:-)][C):-)]

Peace out!

[dano99a]

I vote for Digitrax. I use an empire builder. It's expandable, unlike the Zepher, but all of the digitrax DCC power supplies are good from what I have been told.

They make some nice decoders as well that vary in pricing from $18 and up, as stated above when you start getting into sound and other FX the price goes up quickly.

MRC makes an good DCC power supply for a really good price but it's not expandable.
So if expanding is not an issue then it might be worth looking at.

All of this does seem like a lot of money, but I can't think of a good reason for myself to go back to DC cab control. The ability to run my layout like a real rail-line without all the DPDT switches and all the trains going in one direction is a nice feature.

I converted little by little. Bought the power supply and 2 decoders, then one by one bought decoders for the rest of my fleet. It took time but, if you can be patient, it'll be worth it and it won't kill the wallet.

Don't know anything about Brass... sorry

Have fun

[Anonymous]

[2c]
I bought a Lenz Set-90 for less than $200 on sale. That doesn't include power supply or decoders but you do get a coupon 2 for 1decoder. As with all NMRA approved DCC systems, you can use any other manufacturers decoders. However, I'm hedging my bet that the NMRA will adopt RAILCOM tecnology.
I like the knob throttle, compact design (booster and comand station is about the size of a car radio)and ten year warranty. The Atlas Commander can be used with Lenz Xpressnet.
I recommend you read "DCC Made Easy"

[Anonymous]

Dear John,

Always love to say that! Reminds me of the ARMY! Anyway I have a Digitrax Zephyr and love it! I disagree with dano99a, that it is not expandable. I might be missing something, but have never come across any statements in the manuals stating that I could not add any item I wished. I even think I could splice my unit in with another Zephyr or other Digitrax system if I had the need to do so. I have added a DT300 throttle, so realistically I could run three trains at a time. I could use my DT300 tethered or with infrared. I am sold on DCC and would never go back. Also, you will love wiring DCC as it is much simpler, without all the block switches.

As far as converting locos, all that is needed is insulating the motor. The power has to go to the decoder first, and then from the decoder to the motor.

You can reach me direct through my email button below, if you think I can be of help!

Mark DeSchane

[Anonymous]

I admit that I am a stubborn Analog person. However I was introduced to DCC and find the Zepheyr and other Digitrak systems very nice.

The costs of retrofitting my engines has me kind of "stumped" but as one on a budget, I think one or two a year would eventually get them all converted.

Dont forget N scale decoders for really tight spaces. And keep in mind that two DCC engines in a single section of reverse loop track probably will cause the computer to choose which engine to kick out.

I am NOT an expert on DCC, I have seen a few instances of it working at my LHS and a friends layout and of course some engines in my fleet have it. I do know that I would like to retrofit all my engines with at least sound. What I dont yet know is the cost? Is it better to buy a Sound unit then DCC unit later? or a all-in -one?

Good Luck in your rejoining the hobby!

Lee

[dano99a]

QUOTE: Originally posted by deschane


I have a Digitrax Zephyr and love it! I disagree with dano99a, that it is not expandable. I might be missing something, but have never come across any statements in the manuals stating that I could not add any item I wished. I even think I could splice my unit in with another Zephyr or other Digitrax system if I had the need to do so. I have added a DT300 throttle, so realistically I could run three trains at a time. I could use my DT300 tethered or with infrared.

John-

Just so I don't lead anyone down the wrong path.

Mark, in the above quote, is correct in saying that the Zepher is expandable.
I misworded what I was trying to say. Expanding, meaning your layout. Not the Zepher.

Really the only BIG difference between the Zepher and the other 2 that Digitrax offers (besides price [:)] ) is the amount of locos you can run at once and what functions it can access.
Zepher can run 10 locos at once, Empire Builder runs 22 and Super Chief runs 120

So, what I was trying to say is, if your layout will never grow beyond running 10 locos at once then I think the Zepher is for you. This is the way it was explained to me once, because I was asking the same questions about Digitrax DCC.

Bottom line is they are all great power supplies

Sorry for the confusion[^]