New Layout & DCC

[dickiee]

I'm in process of building a 15 by 15 foot layout room in my barn. I probably won't be able to start the new layout until the fall of the year. I've been out of the hobby for 20 years and I'm overwhelmed by the new products. I'm thinking about purchasing a Digitrax DCC system instead of going with regular DC but am TERRIFIED about being able to hook it up. I think I would like the radio controlled set. It looks like I will have to buy all new engines, which is not a serious problem for me. The Broadway Limited engines look especially attractive and seem to be getting good reviews. I'm debating about buying the Zepher to see if I really like it and can hook it up and then getting the Super Chief later on. Would appreciate any advice and all opinions.

[cacole]

Connecting a DCC system to your track is easier than DC block control, because you don't need all of those toggle switches and control panels. You can download the manual for the Digitrax system from their Web site and read through it prior to purchase. This may help dispel some of your fears about DCC. As far as purchasing all new locomotives, that will not be necessary at all because most locomotives can have decoders installed in them to convert to DCC. Decoder prices are down to the $15-$20 range now, and installing them is not that difficult if you know how to solder.

[AntonioFP45]

Dickiee

Relax, and go for it! The Digitrax Zephyr is highly rated and easy to use once you read the booklet carefully without being in a rush. A very good friend of mine purchased the Zephyr and after looking through the booklet slowly, I was able to understand it. He demonstrated it for me and I was impressed with how easy it is.

I'm 40 and "electronically challenged", but I'm taking the DCC route. It allows so much operating flexibility as well as all of the wonderful features. Additionally you don't have to purchase an entire fleet of Broadway Limited locomotives. You can take ordinary Atlas, Kato, and Athearn units and install DCC/Sound from Soundtraxx. There are numerous installers available that will do it for you if you're understandably hesitant about installing sound decoders yourself.

As I've listed many times before, my favorite is www.LitchfieldStation.com

Click in the following sequence, allow each category to open up:
Home, Store, Installation, HO Scale, HO Scale Diesel Sound or HO Scale Steam Sound.

Explore! [;)]
Very good pictures of what quality installations look like. If you're a "Do It Yourselfer" you can e-mail Bruce and he'll happily give you any tips you'd like. He also sells decoders at discount prices. He has a very good relationship with the owners of Soundtraxx.

Hope this helps![:)][:D][8D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Dickiee, call Tony or Ken at Tony's train exchange.
http://tonystrains.com/
Voice: 800-978-3472
Voice: 802-878-5005

They're patient, knowledgable and the dedicated to DCC. great customer service, they'll listen to you and your needs and recommend a ssystem to fit your needs, no rushing, no undo sales pushing, you get what you need. They also will install decoders in loco's for you or you can buy many manufactur's loco's that they've install decoders in already.

Trust me, you'll be glad you called them.

Jay

[Anonymous]

You chose a good choise with Digitrax. It is easy to install, and even easier to expand. As the system is connected together with RJ12 Moduler telephone cords. Whch makes expanding a smiple matter of mounting the componet, and running the phone cord and plug it into the system.

Welcome back.

James

[nfmisso]

***;

You can use the Zephyr, add DT400R and UR91, and you'll have radio.

Any HO locomotive can be equipped with a decoder, with a little work.

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

[dickiee]

Thanks to ALL who responded to my scream for help..the advice seems sound to me. It looks like I'll probably go with the Zephyr unit and then expand later on...I have been searching Tony's Train Exchange and they sound like pretty knowlegable people with very good prices. Thanks again to everyone, it was VERY helpful.

[Anonymous]

The Zephyr is the best entry level system out there. The only other entry level system worth looking at made by Lenz is the Atlas Commander unit. But you will be better off with Digi.

Now for the truth about DCC which you don't often hear. If you are building a larger layout, wiring for DCC can start to get interesting. Both DCC and DC can get complex in all honesty. Most guys have a smaller layout and then DCC is definitely easier. But the future is DCC; this statement is a no brainer. DCC is computer meets the layout. Now we all know that computers are appearing everywhere from cars to refrigerators, so logically they have arrived on the layout. The future is computers, computers and more computers.

So with a larger layout you will have to pay for it in some "sweat" equity as you try to figure either system out - DCC or DC. I'll give you a taste of how complex it can get, but don't freak, its just as bad on the DC side.

So you have your layout but you have added around circuit breakers (PM42) to ensure that when you have a short your entire layout doesn't shut down. But you decide to install signals so you have to add detectors, to feed information to the electronic controllers for the signals, either Chubb's or Digitrax's or some other manufacture. Then you decide it would be great to have the computer run trains in and out of staging only - why tie up a human to do a mundane job that a computer can do, so this means more detectors, and a computer interface and a computer program.

While using the program on your layout room dedicated computer, you decide to install Decoder Pro (a free program) to program you decoders - an easier task with this program. So you see your entering a new and fascinating facet of the hobby.

Do not let fear stop you, fear is the greatest obstacle to over come to attain an excellent layout. With DCC almost all of us started out just like you; and there will be the occasional day when you curse it, just like you occasionally curse your computer, but DCC is already light years ahead of DC.

[Anonymous]

Having just completed a new layout, minus the trees, buildings, people, I went with DCC. I purchased the Digitrax Super Empire Builder which is perfect as a starter set. I would recommend it over the Zepher. The cost differential is well worth it.

One lesson learned I would like to pass along is, run your DCC wiring before you lay the subroad bed! I have been under the table far too long running feeder wires.

[dickiee]

Thanks to both dgoodlander and Rick Nicholson for the input...I guess it all boils down to how much I am willing to spend to get started. Decisions,Decisions!!!!!

Richard