Considering MRC Prodigy....

[UP Deano]

My dad & I, are building an HO switching layout 2x10. we made the track plan so if we wanted, two engines could work it. to do this plan in DC looks like it would be a block nightmare,to be able to run two engines at the same time. we were hopeing DCC would let us run two engines at once,but after reading about some of the short problems with switches, and engine vibration at low speeds, now we are not sure if we should spend the money and try it. ANY adivce or input would GREATLY be appreciated! Thank you, -Dean

[tigerstripe]

Just be sure to use insulated frog turnouts, and feeders every 3' or so and you shouldn't have any problems. Putting decoders in older engines is the hardest part of DCC. But most newer models are DCC ready or have decoders already installed. But some that are labled as DCC ready require some modifications.

Back to your original question, I have a Prodigy system and have been very happy with it. Many will say that Digitrax, Lenz, are better systems and they are but for the money the Prodigy gets you the most "bang for the buck"

[pcarrell]

First off, let me say that DCC is definately the way to go, ESPECIALLY on a small layout. You are right that throwing all those switches all the time will drive you nuts! It makes you feel like you're driving switches, not trains!

DCC will let you run two trains at onse, and you don't need to throw a million switches or be an electrician to do it.

Here's the deal with the shorts. You need to wire the track similar, but not the same, as DC. In other words, if you have a siding, one rail crosses over another. This needs to be delt with in exactly the same manner on DCC as it is in DC. Tip: isolate the frog and if you are running short equipment, power the frog. Just make sure that you can switch the polarity of the rails to match your needs.

Reverse loops, wyes, and turntables are a little different if you want to automate them and forget them. You can still do it the same as with DC if you want to but I feel that one of the benefits of DCC is that you drive the trains, not the track so automating them is the way to go for me. To do this you will need some sort of electrical device that can sense the short that is created as you cross the rails and switch it real fast so that it doesn't shut down your system. Digitrax makes one and I think it's called an AR1. Runs about $17 bucks at the LHS. If you need a couple of these you can get the PM42 for about $64 bucks and control 4 of these sections from one unit.

Now, about engine vibration. This should not be a problem if the loco has a decoder in it (which you would need in at least 1 loco if you want to run 2 loco's at once on a DCC layout). You see, most DCC systems will operate 1 DC loco on the layout along with all the other DCC loco's. Most of the time though, the DC loco hums and vibrates in a rather obnoxious way. It all has to do with the shape (waveshape and length) of the electronic signal being sent through the rails by the DCC power booster. I won't get into all that now, just know that you can run 1 DC loco with all your other DCC loco's and you won't need power blocks to do it. I don't know if the MRC unit is set up for this so check it out before you buy, but most are set up this way.

One more word about shorts. The only time this should be a real issue is in the case of a true short (derailment, metal across the tracks and so on). This would also be a problem for DC. The difference is that DCC will shut down the power booster for a short while in order to protect the unit from damage. This effectively shuts down the power to anything it is powering. After a couple of minutes the power can be restored, provided you have removed the cause of the short. Some people have even wired up 2 or more power boosters to different sections of their layouts so that if there is a short it doesn't shut down the whole layout.

If you are still unsure, Bachmann just released their new EZ Command. Please understand it is a REALLY basic DCC system, but it should answe your questions about whether you like DCC or not. The up shot of this is that the EZ Command is only about $65. Keep in mind though that you don't get all the bells and whistles at this price (actually it will control bells and whistles and a few other things). It also only allows for 1 controller at this time. I have heard that they are working on an add on controller for it but I think it will only be capable of DC control of 1 loco. I have heard that it is due out later this year. At any rate, you could try out DCC for little investment and then if you decide to move into something bigger you could resell the Bachmann unit to someone else and recoupe some of your costs. Heck, at $65 bucks, if you got stuck with it that wouldn't be earthshattering. Maybe you could build a small layout for the kids and use it for that. Keep them from playing with your trains when your not around. [:D]

I wrote more on the wiring on a post about plastic rail joiners earlier. Just click on my profile and look it up if you are interested.

Hope this helps!

[pcarrell]

Sorry so long, I just got to typing and...

[grandeman]

A Command 2000 would work well on a switching layout too. They can be had CHEAP. Just a thought.

[johncolley]

Go the extra few bucks and get the Prodigy Advance. It does over 90% of what the big guys does but at half the price! the main thing is ... Enjoy!