Layouts and layout building

I began my layout about 12 years ago and early on made the decision to go with the simplest DCC I could find-- MRC's new Command 2000.  Most of my effort the past 6-7 years has been spent on construction and scenery, and I haven't given much thought until recently to bringing some of those locos that are in the cabinet onto the layout.  They are a mixed bag of older DC and early plug and play Proto 2000, Stewart and Atlas.

 Does anyone have a suggestion for the proper decoder(s) to install that won't have a lot of 'bells and whistles' (pardon the pun) that can't be utilized on the old Command 2000?  It seems foolish to buy the more expensive ones, and pay for features that I can't use.

I'm not a DCC user (yet), so take what I have to say with a grain of whatever...

You're right, the Command 2000 can't take advantage of a lot of the features of today's decoders.  For that very reason, you are unlikely to keep the Command 2000 forever.  And when you do upgrade your DCC system, you will want those decoder features - features that cost very little extra today - in your locomotives.

I'm not saying to put sound in every locomotive.  But I would use modern decoders (TCS perhaps?) with a decent "silent drive" and back emf control, at the very least.

just my thoughts, your choices

Fred W 

You might be satisfied with what you have depending on what you want out of your layout.  I model the early 1980s and don't use a lot of bells and whistles.  I have a radio Digitrax Super Chief.  The KCS locomotives of my modeling era do not have ditch lights or rotary beacons.  The biggest functions that I use are the basic on off lighting effects, and my locomotives use the inexpensive 2 function DCC decoders.

My views may change soon, however as the wife presented me with a sound (Atlas MP15) locomotive for Christmas.  The Digitrax radio throtle with sound of the locomotive is hard to beat!!!  I am also informed that Digtrax will be comming out with duplex (two-way) radio sometime this year.  Looks like I might be upgrading.  The nice thing about my Digitrax system is that I will be able to upgrade by purchasing the duplex radio transmitter and new duplex throttles.  All of my other Digitrax equipment remains useable.

Again, I advise you to consider what you want your layout to do.  I spent the money to get a new Digitras DT-400R so I could program all of the "bells and whistles".  The throttle works nice but I use Decoder Pro for programing.  I paid a lot of money for features I didn't need.

JIM 

mreagant wrote:

MRC's new Command 2000.  ... Does anyone have a suggestion for the proper decoder(s) to install that won't have a lot of 'bells and whistles' (pardon the pun) that can't be utilized on the old Command 2000?  It seems foolish to buy the more expensive ones, and pay for features that I can't use.