To DC or Not DC, That is the Question!

[Anonymous]

You're asking the wrong question. You should ask which DCC system you should buy. My vote is Digitrax since you can start small and expand.

[jwr_1986]

You wouldn't have to convert the whole fleet at once. All DCC systems can operate one analog loco usually on the 00 address. I'd recommend finding a club or private layout that operates with DCC and trying it out. My club was skeptical but now they love it. The expandability built into all of the good systems means that you don't have to dive in wallet first. Basically you're looking at 160 for the zephyr and around 20 for each loco you equip. William North you mention that you have two DCC ready locomotives. Are they ready in the sense that you can plug a decoder in or ready as in pre-equiped. A nasty little surprise in the manufacturers wording. My favorite feature that DC simply can't do economically is wireless operation. Hope this has helped a bit.

Jesse

PS - Please excuse typographical errors; I don't have my glasses on.

[rrinker]

It is SO worth it to go to DCC. I have been sold ont he command control concept since as a kid I checked out the David Sutton book "Complete Book of Model Railroading" from the local library and red the chapter on GE's Astrac. It wasn't until more recently that I was finally able to operate a command control layout, and there really is no going back for me.
My father-in-law is in pretty much the sam position you are. All of my locos are newer, and have been converted, but he has a large ocllection goign back over many years. At first he wanted to make sure I had provisions to switch the layout from DCC to DC power. Then he got a couple of BLI and Atlas locos with QSI sound and sarted runnign those, as well as mine, under DCC (Digitrax Zephyr). Next up, he picked out three of his locos and had me install decoders. Now he never talks about running DC ont he layout at all. And anything not worthy of installing decoders in, he is ready to put up for sale to buy newer stuff that is. Already that list includes his two Rivarossi GG-1's, mostly because they are the older units with deep flanges and they do not run on the Code 83 track. Blue Box Athearns are no problem to decoder, unless they are the older style motors, not the 'tan can' style they've used for 20 years. Just about ANYTHIGN can be decodered - a couple of his older brass steamers even have the motor already isolated, kind of rare considering how old they are. The only thing that scares me there is taking the darn things apart.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

At this time I'm in the process of building a 18'x30' layout, and over the years I accumulated over "85" locomotives. Only 2 of them are DCC ready. I hate to think of what it would cost, to convert the whole fleet from DC to DCC. I will Deffinitly be building a DC operated layout. To resolve the problem of a future conversion, I think I'll bring all the block wiring back to one main terminal box. Are there any better ideas out there? I'm open to suggestions.[banghead]

[tstage]

PRRman,

up_santafe brought up a point that I was going to make, that raises a few questions I'd like to ask:

1) How many trains do you usually run/will you expect to run on your layout at the same time?
2) How many of your locomotives are of the "30 year old" variety? Have you purchased any newer ones in the last few years, or ones that would be "DCC-ready" and easy(ier) to convert to DCC?

The Zephyr has two DC ports that would allow you to plug in up to two (2) DC transformers to use along with it. You could install a few of your most recent locomotives with decoders and save the older ones for conversion when the monies are there. Or, not convert them at all and use the monies to sink into kits. You'd still be able to run them on DC using the Zephyr, in conjuntion with your DC transformers.

Just a thought...
Tom

[Anonymous]

If you are not into sound or anything other than running your trains and not track, there are decoders out there for 10-15 bucks apiece that are excellent. Also, I have seen the Zephyr complete system going for 130 bucks. You can add a couple of your existing DC throttles and run 3 trains at once without having to switch addresses, etc.

Believe me, once you've used DCC, you will wonder why you waited!

[Anonymous]

PRRMan , after you switch to DDC . you will find it much easier to contol your trains. I am using an Digitrax Zephyr on a 9 ft by 9 ft HO layout. I have had as many as five trains running on the same track. , To me swittching to DCC makes small layouts fun again especialy if you run tow or more trains at the same time. I had an HO 4 X 6 layout with to cabs. It was next impossible to run two trains by one person which my case. The ease of wiring alone is reason to go DCC. I am diased to Digitrax becuse it is expandable.

John

[Anonymous]

I'm building a new layout. It's 18 x 8, double track main line, several passing sidings & some industrial spurs. I was considering converting my 15 engines to DCC, etc. Here's the thing: I don't mind the wiring involved w/ the old DC block system. It's what I've had for 25 years. I used to enjoy making sure certain blocks were on or off, along w/ switch points in the right position.

My humble layout will have eight switches, and if I go the DC/block method, probably 8-10 blocks...

I understand the advantages of DCC - you run the trains, not the track. If I had a huge complex layout, I'd definitely go for it. Is it me, though, or is it hard to justify the $300.00 investment of a new DCC powerpack (I would get the Zephyr) and another $300 to equip my locos? That $600+ could go for more buildings, rolling stock, locos. Plus, I'd lose a lot of modeling time putting decoders in my fleet (some engines are 30 years old).

I'm just looking for some guidance before I start laying track down next weekend.

Thanks for the help!