How many sticking with cab control?

[Anonymous]

I am an N scale model railroader and I have decided to not make the switch to DCC. Most of my engines are pre-DCC and not DCC ready. There isn't much room in an N-Scale engine to put anything without cutting out some of the innards. Also model railroading is nostalgic. I grew up in the seventies and I remember the power pack to have was the MRC Golden 501. I found one (501N) a few years ago in new condition and bought it instantly. Also if I have a problem, I can track it down and figure it out. When my friend bought a locomotive with a decoder and asked me to fix it, I told him to return it. I have rebuilt trucks with new gears, changed brushes etc. but DCC I don't know about. Now, heaven forbid, if my house burned down and I lost all of my stuff, I'd start over with DCC. Also, I like the KISS principle. Anyone else decide to stay with the old technology?

[twhite]

Yah, me too--I've got quite a few DCC-ready locos, but I've got an awful lot of older brass (which I run) and by the time I could get (or afford, for that matter) everything converted, my grandson would have grandkids! So this old fart is sticking with cab-control and enjoying it.
Tom[}:)][}:)]

[Don Gibson]

DCC offers simplified block wiring, unlimited cabs, and optional sound..

I know how to wire, understand electricity
Am 99.9% single person operation (or one guest)
Have Wireless Cabs (2)
- Variable momrnentum - and decay,
- Adjustable starting voltages
- Soundtraxx Steam & DIesel Onboard sound
Under table dual voice coil Sub woofer system

DCC anybody?

Sountraxx is designing an under-table 'Surround Sound' system for 5.1 -- 7.1 sound systems with N scaleers in mind. Before ordering, think of 4 - 6 speakers under the layout and realistic sound limited only by the cost of the sub-woofer.

[simon1966]

I had very little invested in the world of DC, so it was an easy decision fo rme to go to DCC and one I do not regret at all. However, I can fully appreciate why you might not want to switch. I can tell you, that some of the HO DCC installs are not easy, so I can't imagine how hard an N scale would be.

[willy6]

I'm sticking with DC for now although I did wire my layout for simple conversion if i decide to change. Budget is the biggest consideration right now .

[bluepuma]

At this point, DC is better. Some locos are already so light, I'd have to remote the loco in boxcar or use another pickup source. If my wife was going to run trains at the same time, might consider it. Someday, might make the layout selectable, DC or DCC, buy locos with DCC, but they'd all need to be cab units, F7A/B such. I can't imaging my N scale Kato RS-2 with DCC, it would need element 102 or higher as weight to pull 10 cars.

What I AM considering is how to automate track power in the blocks before/after a train as it moves without stopping it, and control signalling. But I'm doing a layout in a small bedroom, less than a scale mile linear run. I can't really run more than 1 train at a time, even if the other is on auto pilot, and the track plan might support 4 or 5 trains moving someday, maybe 3 if I pull power off another section.

Not going to get more space unless the next Kato release is a Monorail passenger set.

Los Angeles to Las Vegas bulet train on dedicated pylons 2-3 stories up.

[Anonymous]

I myself have absoultely no intrest in going to DCC. My layout is too small for me to invest that kinda money into it. I understand the potential of DCC but I have limited funds and I would rather put the money into something else(like more trains). If I ever were to have a larger layout and more money then I may consider ir but defintely not now.

Jeremy

[orsonroy]

If you want to go the DCC route in N scale, you basically have to switch to all new engines. Period. It's REALLY difficult to convert most of the old (pre-1985/1990) N scale diesels to DCC, and physically impossible to convert some (Trix FA's with all-metal shells that route power, for example). Unless you're REALLY into DCC, and not a casual used (the majority of DCC users), there's no way you'll want the hassle of converting a large, old fleet. Steam of course is easier, with the tenders being a great place to stuff a decoder, but N scale steam is a big minority.

I'm sticking with DC for now on my HO home layout, but only because I'm nowhere near ready to start running trains on a regular basis. I am getting ready for the day I switch to DCC however, by replacing the bulk of my engine fleet with newer, DCC-ready/friendly/installed engines. Cab control for a large walkaround layout needing at least 10 cabs is a bite to try to wire, and I'll save money and stress with DCC.

[fiatfan]

Running more than one engine at a time is multitasking, I multitask all day long. When I get home I want to be able to just concentrate on one thing at a time, I will be sticking with DC.

Tom

[fec153]

tom and tom-fiatfan / white [#ditto][#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]

[joecool1212]

I would go with DCC if it were'nt so expensive. I have 116 diesel and 3 steam. About 8 are DCC ready. It would be alot of work also. Just got my first BLI with sound and it seems to be really cool, but you cant MU it with anything else. The price of technology. Joe A.

[Anonymous]

of course, i like the idea of throwing pole switches and controling my trains indirectly

[jrbernier]

I could stick with DC, but I suppose I could keep all of my Athearn BB loco's and freight cars from 20-30 years ago. I made the decision to sell off everything and invest in DCC, and new Kato/P2K/Atlas engines & P2K/Atlas/Red Caboose/Accurail/etc freight cars. Most of my Athearn had new n/s wheels, detail,& painted correctly(engines as well as freight cars). Of those 100+ engines, 400+ freight cars; I really only used maybe 15-20 engines and less than 100 cars on the layout. The rest were displayed or boxed up.
I now have 37 engines(oldest is an Atlas/ER Models FP7). Only about 16 have decoders - just what I really need to run the railroad! Some of my engines/cars will be in a display case for the most part. I now have less than 100 'high end' freight cars, and could use more; but that will come as I complete 'projects'.
Now this gets us to DCC. When I went to DCC in the late 90's, I just flipped all of the panel toggles to cab A and hooked up the system. I am now running a DCC bus, and am pulling about 2000 ft of #18 block control wiring, and 40+ toggles. DCC has made operation so much better, but I have to agree that conversion is still expensive. Conversion costs look big because of the need to buy a command station/booster &
thottles. Then there is all of the expense/work of installing decoders. Just the sight of all that work is enough to chase some folks away. The bottom line is that I feel good about all of the work I have done over the past 3 years of serious conversion/upgrading.
And I would do it again - running train is so much better - those new engines do preform realy great! As I said in the beginning of this post, I could stay with DC; but I really had built everything I wanted, and had a real mixed collection of equippment. This project has rejuvinated my interest in modeling as well.

Jim Bernier

[RedSkin]

As a First time layout builder I have looked at several factors when I decided on how I was going to wire my layout. Since it is a traditional 4X8, I decided that it would be more cost effective and for me alot easier to wire, 5 blocks, than to go through the hassle of setting up a DCC system. I plan on running two cabs at the same time, one in an oval and the other one taking on switching duties. Though all the bells and whistle that a DCC system offers are really appealling, I'm going DC for now.

[twhite]

I don't want anyone to think I'm ANTI-DCC--I've seen several of the layouts and I'm really impressed. However I have over 40 brass steamers that I'm using (and I mean USING!), I said the Hell with Multi-tasking when I retired (worked with a woman who ran my department that was a Multi-tasker and guess what--everything got HALFWAY done, and that was about it!), and I can still run more than one train on my DC layout if I choose (which I don't, after the last rear-ender). So I'm happy where I am. the thought of the expense of decoders for 40 brass engines is just too daunting for me at my age.
Tom

[grayfox1119]

I am getting back into the hobby after many more years then I want to admit, so the decision was easy for me, DCC, no discussion there at all.

I can readily understand the position of those who have lifetime of investment in older locos that cannot be adapted to DCC. It is also apparent to me that many modelers just don't have the funds to invest in DCC, so DC is certainly the right answer for them.

I wonder however, if those who have older setups that cannot be converted to DCC, have the room to set up a newer table with DCC to get the enjoyment of using DCC? Run both in otherwords.

[Anonymous]

All of my N-Scale is within 3 years of being new, but I have no need or desire to go DCC.
The only shortcoming I have with my present layout is I don't have enough tracks to park more engines than 2. This is OK with me as the rest can sit in my display case until I want to use them. And since 99% of the time I'm the only one operating the layout, I feel there is no need for DCC.
I have operated on several layouts with DCC and have really enjoyed myself. These layouts however are very large with several operators running several trains at one time.
(V&O, AGE, L&N Henderson Sub.)
If I were to start over in H-O scale I would probably go with DCC and purchase most of my new engines with decoders already installed. But I would have to be building a large enough layout for more than 1 operator.
The last big layout I had was built with 2 throttles (GML) and had double-pole, double-throw toggle switches that would control the few blocks I had and this worked great.
I too subscribe to the "KISS Principle."
But there is no way in heck I'm going back and try to mount decoders in my N-Scale engines!!!!!
So I will be sticking with DC cab control for a long time.
I do get a chuckle when I read about all the problems people are having with their DCC!
gtr

[Anonymous]

I still use a conventional DC throttle, too, to operate a 9' x 3' (with a 3' "L "extension) switching layout. Even the Bachmann DCC is too expensive for me, at this time. The unit plus a decoder for each engine would result in serious deficit spending! I'd rather pick up an Alco S-1 or VO-660 right now. My newer engines, especially, run really well with regular DC, and I can't run more than one at a time, anyway. Maybe in the future, we'll see.

Best
smyers

[CP5415]

I'm sticking with DC.
Too many BB Athearns to want to switch to DCC, besides, after finally getting some wiring done last night, I actually had two different trains running at the same time.
I don't need to run more than 2 trains at once.

Gordon

[PistolPete]

I rejoined this hobby after 20 years out of it. I like the DCC technology but I went with a 2 cab DC set-up mainly due to cost of DCC. My layout is going to be mostly a one man operation so DC cab control will work well for me.

[CNJ831]

I operate with two-cab, R/C, block control DC. This system does everything I desire on my modest-sized layout at a quarter what it would cost me to replace it with a mid-range DCC system (plus about a grand in decoders for all the engines I own). I've seen a number of smaller DCC layouts and was left unimpressed - nice for bigger layouts, I suppose.

CNJ831

[Cox 47]

Were stickin with cab control here on the Illinois and Southern. I am stil trying to figure it out!! Old Dogs no New tricks. Cox 47

[BRVRR]

I converted to DCC two years ago. The command station was a gift from my son. I didn't/don'ts have a heavy investment in my layout. It was a simple 4x6 at the time. About 5 engines, mostly Athearn BB kits.
The layout is bigger now, 4x10, there are 25-engines now. BLI, PK2, Bachmann steamers, Athearn BBs, even a Thomas The Tank Engine, all with decoders, three with sound. I (my grandson) runs a flock of little DC steamers all the time too. I normally run 2-3 trains at a time and sometimes a switcher on top of that. I could accommodate up to 5 operators at the same time.
My point is I was fortunate to get into DCC at a relatively modest cost. I have never regretted it.

[Anonymous]

DCC all the way. Started a new layout and sold all of my Marklin stuff which I replaced with modern plastic steam. I like the wireless, simplicity in wiring and realistic operation possible with DCC. My layout is moderate sized and is designed for operations with a number of operators. DCC seemed like the natural choice. I have not looked back.

[Don Gibson]

DCC :Advantages... Unlimited cabs, Simplified Block wiriing.

How many Cabs (@ $100} do you want?
Do you understand the the difference of (+) and (-) polarity?

[Anonymous]

IMy husband and I are having it both ways. As we build our layout, we are laying out individual blocks in the traditional DC manner. Each block has a switch that will route the feeder to either a home built DC transistor throttle with momentum, or to the rail connections of the Lenz DCC system. This way we can run everything that we have before decoders are installed, and our friends locos that will never have DCC. Our layout is On3, and we plan on no more than about 6 locos, so DCC decoder cost will not be a huge problem like some HOers I know with MANY more engines. DC is just fine, don't be intimaded by the command control enthusiasts. There is plenty of room for both the new and for the traditional. We also collect Postwar era Lionel 3 rail.....and will NEVER consider the new Lionel command system no matter how nice it is and how well it performs...and sounds. When we build a Lionel set up it will AC from our big ZW transformer routed to the tracks only with toggle switch block control, just like when I was a kid in the 50s!

Good luck with your traditional DC approach
Jennifer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by juby4life

I myself have absoultely no intrest in going to DCC. My layout is too small for me to invest that kinda money into it. I understand the potential of DCC but I have limited funds and I would rather put the money into something else(like more trains). If I ever were to have a larger layout and more money then I may consider ir but defintely not now.

[#ditto]Another vote for sticking with cab control - just call me an old fogey I guess LOL!
I'm sure DCC is nice, but with over 100 locos on the roster, putting decoders into all of them is completely cost prohibitive, and like CP5415 said, I don't really need to run more than two trains at the same time.

[Eriediamond]

My answer to the DCC vs DC question is that I'm sticking with DC. Reason: My home layout is going to be a one man operation and all my equipment is DC. However this said, I will probabley equip a couple off locos with a decoder for operation on our club layout. I am impressed with DCC and it's capabilities, but because of a limited budget and the size of my home layout DC is for me. Besides, I like flipping switches. Also, the era (1940's) I'm modeling and the layout itself, I'm trying to bring back childhood memories and depict what things were like back then. Darn, getting old is getting complicated!!!! [(-D][(-D]

[Virginian]

I am sticking with DC simply because I don't see where DCC is worth 10 cents to me, and the way I do things, and like to do things. I am not faulting anyone who chooses, has chosen, or adores DCC, and would like to request the same consideration in return.
I plan to get maybe four or five more locos, total (yes you heard correctly), if and when they ever become available for what I consider a reasonable price. (all steam)
I have a couple of BLI sound locos, and plant to get one more of those, and they work fine on DC. The longer I have sound available, the more I realize I only like it sometimes, and I have enough to satisfy that whim.
I like to tune/play with engines, watch long consists run, minimal switching, almost non-existent running of more than two engines at a time. I have come to realize what I like best about operating trains is watching big steam engines run thru the countryside. That's what I liked best about watching prototypes, too. I know it's not challenging. The rest of my life is challenging enough that all I want from my trains is relaxation. I need to get some of the kits I have put together, and decide if I am going to move or not, and then get busy with some scenery. I do not need to get familiar with a new technology, and all the terms that go with it, just so I can have 37 functions available on one engine, of which I will probably never use 33 after testing, or the ability to run 12 engines simultaneously, when again, I will probably never do it after testing to make sure it works.
I do remember what it was like to jump on a new technology bandwagon, voraciously consume all knowledge on the subject, and put everything possible into practice as quickly as possible. But, I realize I don't really enjoy that anymore. I am perfectly happy to throw the "on" switches, turn the knob, and lean down close and watch those babys cruise by with the rods all ablur like a little kid.

[dwRavenstar]

I remember the feel of the front seat in my '64 Dodge Dart when I slid it forward or back, my hand under the front, pulling the handle while being careful to not split my lip on the steering wheel.
I also recall turning the crank to open the window so I could reach out and adjust the rear view mirror.
What a grand sensation when I was able to tell my idiot brother that I was sorry I couldn't lend him the hundred bucks because I had been out in the woods all day, far from any telephones when he'd tried to contact me.
Fond memories indeed of the several books I'd read when neither channel on the television had anything worth watching offered.
A disk used to be seen only in Sci-Fi movies, net working was something done off the stern of a trawler and if you missed this week's episode you only had to wait for summer to catch it on the dreaded re-runs.
I think everyone should take the plunge, dig deep into your pockets and invest heavily in the new technology of DCC. Cost should be no issue because there are plenty like me who will continue to provide a hungry market for your outdated, low tech DC locomotives, giving you a ready source for needed cash. Of course, since the demand will be low and the availability of units will be excessive you'll have to expect to sell a number of your cast-offs to finance the new addition to your motive stable. [:D]
I'll run two locos when one can be sent off and forgotten on it's mainline excursion while I focus on my switching duties. Gotta admit it, I still pull to the curb when I have to answer the cell phone. Small little bugger that one, tried to answer my Zippo lighter by mistake once. It was a hot call though and the hair above my left ear has long since grown back. The answer to my brother stays the same. He knows I shut the cell off when I'm cruising the forest. [;)]

Do what ya want, have fun doing it and keep in mind the only one's who don't win are the ones who refuse to play.

Dave (dwRavenstar)