Best DCC system for a "small" layout

[fwright]

Congratulations and welcome to the 21st century, even if you're running steamers.  DCC gives a whole 'nother dimension to your trains.  Each engine is now an independent entity, and isn't tied to the block or track it happens to be running on.  This weekend, I bought my first sound-equipped engine, and I've spent a lot of non-quiet time huffing and puffing around, tooting the whistle and ringing the bell.

My problem is, I model 1967, and I've fallen in love with an 0-6-0.  I do have a few old wood passenger cars, so I may open up an "excursion" train, but more likely I'll buy some Jordan vehicles and set the Wayback Machine for, say, the 1930's?

Off topic but....welcome to the world of Yesteryear.  The '20s and '30s are a great period to model.  Cars and trucks were in mass production, but shipping via LCL railroad was still a way of life in most small towns.  Or go back to the 19th century, with small beautiful engines and cars, short trains, and learn the differences between the various horse-drawn vehicles.  Wait until you turn a 4-4-0 into a gem, and install sound.

Fred W

[MisterBeasley]

Congratulations and welcome to the 21st century, even if you're running steamers.  DCC gives a whole 'nother dimension to your trains.  Each engine is now an independent entity, and isn't tied to the block or track it happens to be running on.  This weekend, I bought my first sound-equipped engine, and I've spent a lot of non-quiet time huffing and puffing around, tooting the whistle and ringing the bell.

My problem is, I model 1967, and I've fallen in love with an 0-6-0.  I do have a few old wood passenger cars, so I may open up an "excursion" train, but more likely I'll buy some Jordan vehicles and set the Wayback Machine for, say, the 1930's?

[tstage]

Good for you, George!   When you have a chance to really run the Zephyr through it's paces, I want to encourage you to take the time to write a review on it - both the things you like and didn't like about it.  With that said, I think you'll be happy with your choice...

Tom

[PA&ERR]

For those who may be interested, I bought my DCC system this weekend.

I went with the Digitrax Zypher for the following reasons...

- For a base unit it is compact and functional. In the future I can add on walk around units while using the base unit for yard switching.

- It has the functions I need without alot of extra "bells and whistles" (uh, pun intened), yet it is still expandable.

-The price was about what I expected to pay (not including the discount I got from my LHS ).

-While I am pretty much a lone wolf modeler, the local club uses Digitrax on their large modular layout. If I ever need help, there is plenty of it available.

It only took me about an hour to get a decoder installed into a nearly 20 year old Atlas RS11 and get it running on a short length of test track. (most of that time was digging out my electrical tools - soldering iron etc - from where they had been packed during the move to our new house).

Again, I would like to express my thanks to everybody who has offered me advice on this - especially to  Joe Fugate for all of the work he did in his Forum Clinic comparing the differnent brands of DCC systems.  

Thanks!

-George

[MisterBeasley]

If you are thinking of joining a club at some time, find out what system is used by clubs in your area.  You may want to bring your own throttle to club sessions, and others in the club may want to bring their throttles to your layout.  If everyone is running the same system, this is simple and cost-effective.  If not, then you may end up buying a throttle that you only use at the club.

 

[PA&ERR]

I would like to thank everyone for all the great input.

I would also like to thank Joe Fugate for "bumping" his Choosing a DCC Clinc to the top. It was a long (but very informative and enjoyable) read.

I'm off to my LHS this weekend. I'll let you all know what I come home with.  

Again, thanks all!

-George

 

[Cannoli]

One consideration with MRC DCC systems is they do not have a computer interface.

Who needs a computer interface, you may ask?

Well, if you've never programmed decoders using the free DecoderPro software, you haven't seen how powerful and simple decoder programming can become. No more remembering CV numbers or reading through decoder manuals. Just point and click on your PC with a mouse and voila! Your loco decoder is programmed.

When speed matching, you can open multiple loco decoder windows at once. Wow, now is that handy or what?

Once you're all done programming the decoder, you can save its settings to your hard drive.

Then next time you get a new decoder and you want to use all the same settings that worked so well in the last decoder, in just a couple clicks, you load up the other decoder settings from your hard drive and shazzam! Your new loco decoder is now programmed, just like that.

Did your QSI loco decoder get its settings scrambled from a short? No problem, a couple mouse clicks and all the decoder settings are restored from your hard drive.

You get all this helpful (and free) functionality with a computer interface -- but too bad, so sad: MRC DCC systems don't have any way to add a computer interface.

Joe makes some great points here. Our club layout uses a System 1 DCC system which does have a PC interface. I've used it serveral times to diagnose problems with decoders and reprogram as needed, it's a handy feature, one that as he mentioned, my MRC PE lacks.

[jfugate]

One consideration with MRC DCC systems is they do not have a computer interface.

Who needs a computer interface, you may ask?

Well, if you've never programmed decoders using the free DecoderPro software, you haven't seen how powerful and simple decoder programming can become. No more remembering CV numbers or reading through decoder manuals. Just point and click on your PC with a mouse and voila! Your loco decoder is programmed.

When speed matching, you can open multiple loco decoder windows at once. Wow, now is that handy or what?

Once you're all done programming the decoder, you can save its settings to your hard drive.

Then next time you get a new decoder and you want to use all the same settings that worked so well in the last decoder, in just a couple clicks, you load up the other decoder settings from your hard drive and shazzam! Your new loco decoder is now programmed, just like that.

Did your QSI loco decoder get its settings scrambled from a short? No problem, a couple mouse clicks and all the decoder settings are restored from your hard drive.

You get all this helpful (and free) functionality with a computer interface -- but too bad, so sad: MRC DCC systems don't have any way to add a computer interface.

[lvanhen]

I have a Prodigy Advance unit & have been very happy with it.  I have added a second throttle so my grandson can run and blow the whistle etc at the same time I can.  I have only a 4x8 with a double loop plus some sidings, and have run 4 locos at the same time to demonstrate to friends - all with sound an pulling six lighted passenger cars behind one of the locos, all this with only the original pawer - no booster (yet).  It is an economical set-up, and very easy to set-up and learn, as well as very good tech help via e-mail from MRC.

[MisterBeasley]

I have a Lenz system, which I'm very happy with.  So, I would vote for...Digitrax?!?  Yes, because Digitrax is more common.  The rules say that all the decoders in the engines must follow the same protocols, so it doesn't matter what kind of system your friends have.  Their engines will run on your system.  But, and this may be a big but, (no big butt jokes please) the throttles are not interchangeable.  You can not plug a Digitrax throttle into a Lenz, or an NCE into Digitrax, or pretty much any combination.  (Atlas and Lenz are the same, and maybe a couple of others, but none of the big players.)

I would, however, agree that what you want now is the system you will still be happy with in a few years.  One of my reasons for buying Lenz is that it's a 5-amp system right out of the box.  You don't want sound?  Well, have you tried a state-of-the-art sound engine?  My layout is set in 1967, and I fell in love with an 0-6-0 steamer which is now waiting for me to pick up at my LHS.  Yes, sound is really that seductive.  At my age, even blondes don't compare.  (Well, maybe Nanette, but she had sound, too.)

So, get a good system, and put in the small extra effort to wire up a control bus where you can plug in at multiple points.  I've found this valuable, even on my 5x12 foot table.  Some folks love wireless, so give that a thought, too.

[Anonymous]

George,

Simple answer, no.  They are similar looking but are different.

The MRC PAs and PEs have a "knob" to control speed.  The NCE Power Cab and Power Pro throttles have an encoder wheels, as well as buttons for gross and fine speed adjustments.  The Power Cab is a throttle, power supply, and booster all rolled up into one.  I'm not sure if the MRC Prodigy units are that way or not.

Tom

I have the PA and I believe that the "knob" is connected to an encoder.  It clicks from step-to-step as opposed to a pot with continuous rotation.  The PA also has two keys for speed (up and down) ; each key press is one speed step.  The PA also has a "yard" mode were the direction and speed is controlled by the knob (I do not like using the yard mode though).

 

[tstage]

George,

Simple answer, no.  They are similar looking but are different.

The MRC PAs and PEs have a "knob" to control speed.  The NCE Power Cab and Power Pro throttles have an encoder wheels, as well as buttons for gross and fine speed adjustments.  The Power Cab is a throttle, power supply, and booster all rolled up into one.  I'm not sure if the MRC Prodigy units are that way or not.

Tom

[PA&ERR]

Thanks for all the great input guys! This is just the kind of input (uh, that's a digital joke) I was looking for.

One more question though. I've noticed that MRC's and NCE controllers look very similar. Are the two units "related" somehow? (Like is NCE building DCC systems for MRC)

Again, thanks!

-George

[tstage]

I like to run trains at night using just the lights from buildings, streetlights etc. with maybe just a little "glow" lighting from above.

Agreed.  That's the coolest thing about lighting

Click to enlarge pictures

Tom

[wjstix]

Well you can always use the DC packs for accessories likes lighting - I like to run trains at night using just the lights from buildings, streetlights etc. with maybe just a little "glow" lighting from above. Plus when I switched to DCC I just put in a toggle switch so I could switch to DC or DCC as needed. I prefer to test run and break-in my engines in DC before adding the decoder just to be sure I don't void the warranty by making changes to it.

[metalfrog]

due to all the good suggestions on this forum i bought the nce power cab.really like it and will upgrade it eventually.i'll only have about six loco's on the layout at a time,with just three or four running at the same time.i also have the controlmaster 20 and i will be selling it eventually along with most of my other dc packs.operating dc is a thing of the past for me.i don't have a sound engine yet but am looking forward to getting several.hopefully the nce system will have enough power to run a sound loco.terry..............

[Cannoli]

I personally have the MRC Prodigy Express on my layout, which is only a 4x8. It's not a bad system and fits my needs at the moment. Looking back though I sometimes wish I opted for a Digitrax system for the ability to run DC locos, the MRC system doesn't, and since most members of my club run Digitrax at home it would be handy to be able to bring an extra throttle to their operating sessions.

So given the choice now, I'd go Digitrax, as a side note, they are pretty much the only brand of decoders I've been using and have had nothing but great results.

[ARTHILL]

I add; After you have DCC a while, your running habits will change A LOT. If you buy a system to match what you do now, you will soon be frustrated. The ability to have three or four friends, each walking around the layout with their own train, is really nice. You will soon want hand held throttles, that are not tethered. Start out with that in mind and you will save a few bucks.

Warning. The Digitrax Empire Builder is cheap and the reason is, it will not read CVs That may not mean anything now, but it will.

[wjstix]

I guess one thing I would look to is expandability. Digitrax (Zephyr), NCE and MRC all have systems that are easily expandable so the system you won't outgrow the system you start with. The Zephyr is nice in that it has a knob and direction switch on the box itself similar to a DC powerpack for people who are used to that, but you can add walkaround controllers or radio control down the road.

Each system has it's own quirks, what you feel comfortable with may be different from what someone else likes. I would check out those companies internet sites, and check out Loy's Toys too. Loy's has some good explanations of DCC issues, and reviews the good and bad points of the DCC systems/decoders etc.

[ARTHILL]

I am a digitrax fan. I have the Super chief with radio. The Zepher is fine, but you will want the super chief sooner or later so if the budget allows, start with it.

I started with tethered, and wanted to walk freely. I tried Infra red and did not like it. I then upgraded to radio, and it cost a few bucks more than if I had started with it.

I like Digitrax because:

1. I can run a DC and a DCC loco at the same time, together

2. They have a nice one loco throttle that the grandkids can opperate without messing things up

3. They have a two loco throttle that allows me to run two trains at once off of one throttle( two knobs).

4. Most of the people around here have Digitrax, and my LHS stocks it and can help me learn it.

5. It looks nice on the layout.

6. The way they connect different components suits my lack of understanding. Even I can hook it up.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I use the Bachmann EZ Command myself to run 3 to 4 trains at once. It's a limited system that doesn't have much in the way of expansion parts. It has limited functions. I can turn the headlights on and off and it also can operate up to 8 sound functions if your loco has sound, and it is cheap. I got mine for $60 from my LHS.

[ft-fan]

I'm sure there will be about 2000 responses to this because everyone will be convinced theirs is the best. Anyhow, I don't have a DCC system yet, I am still in the planning stages. Having said that, my preference is to go with a Digitrax Chief system, it is very flexible and expandable which is what I like about it. The Digitrax Zephyr system is similar, but smaller, it has a throttle built into the command station. You can add throttles using their loconet. Or, I believe you can hook up a DC throttle to it and use it to drive one engine. Obviously, the capabilities of this throttle are pretty limited, but it might be nice to use your old power-pack instead of buying a new one. You can expand this system by adding another booster.

Have fun,

FT

[tstage]

George,

You should probably consider a good starter or intermediate DCC system.  The Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Power Cab would fit the starter bill.  Both are expandable, very nice systems, and have their pluses and minuses.  You'll find ardent supporters of both here on the forum.

George, if you have friends that only have DC locomotives: Of the two, the Zephyr is the only one that can do that.  The Power Cab, unfortunately, can only run DCC locomotives.  The Digitrax Super Chief and NCE Power Pro would be the next tier up from there.

George, if you want to find out more about the Power Cab, I wrote an initial review of it back in February, when if first came out.  It has initial impressions and thoughts, as well as pictures, questions, responses, issues and some answers to those issues.  There's also have a review of using a NCE CAB-04p throttle with the Power Cab:

Link to reviews

I'll let the Digitrax constituency chime in now...

Tom

[SpaceMouse]

I have a 5 x 8 layout and use a Digitrax Zephyr. There are others equally good, but since my club uses Digitrax I can use my throttle in both places.  I have had 5 trains running with it, but it can handle much more.

[PA&ERR]

I am interested in opinions concerning the "best" DCC system for a small HO layout.

My Port Able and Eastern Railroad will have a mainline length of about 100 ft. It will host about 10 locomotives of various manufacturers and have no significant hidden trackage. I'm not really into sound and just want to run the locos and maybe operate the headlights and such. At most, 4 to 5 engines will be running at the same time.

Also, it would be nice if visiting model railroaders would be able to run their locos on my layout.  

I have an MRC Controlmaster 20 to use as a power supply if needed.

Thanks in advance (and hope I haven't started a flame war)

-George