New to DCC

[lesterperry]

I am not a super regular on this board but do put in my 2 cents (Just realized computer has no c with line through it for cents) everyonce in a while. I have been modleing for many many many years. I just took the plunge and started going DCC. I have the new MRC Prodigy advanced & one loco with decoder. I will be in the poor house when I get all of them done. It was sound that sold me on it. So why am I writing this? Do you have suggestions that may make this easier for a hard headed almost old man who other than sound sees no advantage to it.

[grandeman]

Soon you will see all the advantages and be a convert. I think I'd quit the hobby if I had to go back to DC, seriously.

[ereimer]

you mean other than true independant control of each loco , easy consisting , realistic helpers for steep grades with engineers for each loco ?

other than those , nope can't think of a darn thing
i'm sure other people will though [:)]

[UP Deano]

lesterperry, CONGRATS! i too have been in DC for YEARS(about 31yrs). when i started the HO switching layout(cripes, i think its been about 4 mounths ago) i decided to moderize and go DCC. I bought MRC prodigy(not advanced) and have TOTALLY been happy with it! engines run smoother, sound, the whole nine yards is 100% better than DC. i am MORE than sure you will notice and feel the same. i LOVE the hobby, and DCC just makes it TONS more FUN!! sad thing is, the N"empire" i also have is DC, and since i got into DCC on the HO switching layout, well, the "empire" has just been collecting alot of dust. i have 30+ engines in N,so i"ll never convert it to DCC.[:(] I"m sure this winter i"ll get back on it.[;)] i guess what i"m saying is, once you go DCC, its HARD to go back.[;)] [:D] GOOD LUCK! i KNOW you will REALLY enjoy it!

[selector]

Lester, forgetting the sound (which to me is a powerful deuce in the poker hand) for a minute, once you acquire your second loco with DCC (sound or not) you will appreciate what DCC can do for you. You will be able to run them facing different directions on the layout, away from each other, and at different speeds. You will not have to throw a switch to leave one parked at the station while the other thunders past. You should still have power districts a la block, but you needn't throw switches to have one loco sit on a siding.

Is that good enough?

[lesterperry]

The big thing seems to be blocks. I have three one for each of double main line one for yard. I use magnetic latching reed switches in all locos for control. I must say though that the one on DCC does run very smoooooooth. And I love the sound.

[selector]

Yes, that is another bonus. Wht I was meaning is that if you had no double mains, and only one set of leads to your entire track (no blocks) you can still run your DCC locos on the one block! One track, going opposite directions, at variant speeds. Gotta like it!

One the one block, place a siding to a station/industry? Park the one loco, and still have the other run past it. No switching.

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lesterperry

I just took the plunge and started going DCC. I have the new MRC Prodigy advanced & one loco with decoder. I will be in the poor house when I get all of them done ... other than sound sees no advantage to it.

Then you have never tried to run two or more locomotives at once on your layout. Once you do that, you will immediately realize what DCC offers. If you try 3 trains, at once (each with their own operator) you would drive yourself crazy trying to wire your layout to allow for that conveniently.

The other big plus for me is the way DCC allows you to independently tune the performance of your locos. Once you've seen a loco with a back EMF decoder slowly gliding smoothly through a complex yard ladder, you will see what DCC can do for loco performance.

Add wireless DCC throttles in, and for a larger home layout like my HO Siskiyou Line, it doesn't get much better! [swg]

I'm with GrandeMan ... if I had to go back to straight DC on the Siskiyou Line, I would be very bummed about the entire hobby.