Newbie asks: to DCC or not to DCC?

[bugboy63]

what i have gathered from this site is that there are many factors...
space, money, time, operations, theme......

i am in the same boat, i have all my old dc stuff thats been in boxes for longer than i care to remember.... [:(]

you got to ask yourself how much time am i going to give to the hobby?
is it your life or a pasttime?
i have seen some layouts and setups here that blow my mind.....[:0]
i can't imagine how much these guys have put in some of these layouts....

me, i have mostly bought used pieces at shows that are already weathered, built & broken in..... then tweek it a bit...
that's good enough for me.....
dcc may be great... but i am going to stay with what i started out with..

a simple cheap hobbie... to keep me occupied during the winter [:D]

[ARTHILL]

I resisted until three weeks ago, and went DCC. I love it. It was easy to do. I didn't have to learn any more than I had to re-learn to start out again in DC. I love running two or three trains at a time. I love having the G kids all run their own train. My old brass runs just fine until I get it changed. When I finaly spring for radio, it will be what I only dreamed of 45 years ago.

[CNJ831]

Pirate - The layout plan and operations scenario you describe is just as well served by DC as DCC. If you have the extra cash, have an electronics bend, and are buying all new equipment, DCC would be more favored.

I run DC and have for many years. Honestly, I've visited a number of smaller DCC layouts and came away unimpressed. Other than the fancy lights and sounds (and sound is available in many/most high end DC engines anyway) they offered me nothing DC wouldn't do just as well. I'll also add that when it's working fine, DCC is nice. But when something "odd" goes wrong, troubleshooting the system can require outside help (and I've seen that situation more than once during visits to other's layouts). Generally, electrical problems with DC can be isolated and quickly found through the block system. You can even just cut out the offending block and keep running trains. If your DCC system developes a glitch, you entire layout can go down.

So...as some others have advised, try to find guys with both types of operating systems in your area, visit their pikes, ask them about the pros and cons and see just what appeals to you, because in the end you are the one it has to please.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Do you already have all your old DC stuff to rebuild your layout? If you were happy doing what you were doing 15 years ago, then you are all ready and set to go.

Or, are you buying new equipment? If so, I would go with DCC for sure. An entry level DCC system from the popular manufacturers is not really expensive. And you spend what you want on engines.

You may find that DCC sound will addict you. It did to me. I have only a small layout .... I am up close and personal with my engines as they work (or idle). I couldn't even imagine not having sound. I would rather have one quality engine with sound, than a handful of non sound units.

But take my advice with a grain of salt ....... I've never had a completed layout without DCC and sound ..... its really all I know.

Greg

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the helpful advice everyone, especially the link to the pdf at Tony's Trains, I've printed that out. [8D]

[fwright]

From my perspective, you are probably close to the break-even point between the 2 systems. For the operational style you cite, one train running unattended while you switch with the other on pretty much separate trackage, DCC offers little advantage other than sound and fancy lights (which may be good enough reasons to go DCC by themselves).

Once you have more than one operator each operating their own train, DCC comes into its own because of not having to worry about block toggles. The amount of wiring is reduced. However (and this is a biggie), multiple operators still have to keep track of what the other is doing anyway to avoid undesirable encounters of the closest kind between trains. If you have frequent multiple operators sharing track, you will likely have to develop a reasonably rigorous system to communicate with each other about location and intentions - just like you have to do with block control.

Perhaps there are those video game converts (obvious perjorative language!) who enjoy juggling several trains at once on the same DCC controller, but I am not one of them. One train per operator is my rule, unless a train can be allowed to circulate continuously unattended.

my thoughts, your choices
Fred W

[Anonymous]

Anybody starting out in the hobby today should go DCC. I say this even though I am still DC - purely because I haven't yet faced the investment in money and time to retofit my steam fleet with decoders.

[MisterBeasley]

First, welcome aboard. Second, I appreciate your screen name. And third, I have a small layout and I think DCC makes just as much sense for small layouts as it does for large ones, particularly when you're running by yourself. Your stated goal of running one train out on the mainline while another is being switched matches up with the way I run pretty well, and DCC allows you to do it better. As has been said before, "With DC you run the track. With DCC you run the trains."

[simon1966]

I converted to DCC a couple of years ago and can not imagine running a block system every again. The ability to run trains as they were meant to be run makes operating the layout a real pleasure. Read all you can, and more importantly see if you can run a DCC equipped layout. There are some excellent beginer systems for DCC so the cost does not have to be over the top.

[tstage]

pirateyar,

First off: [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]

"Is DCC for me?" Simply put - yes! For me, there is no comparison to the advantages of DCC over DC. Do you have any locomotives at all? Will you be converting any over to DCC, or will you be purchasing new ones? What scale will you be running?

The best thing for you to do is to read and take in as much as you can. Right off the bat, here's a couple of good resources for you to look at:

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DCC Made Easy by Lionel Strang (Kalmbach Publishing)
Lionel does a great job of simplify DCC in easy to understand layman's terms.

DCC For Beginners - http://www.tonystrains.com (Point 2. on home page)
Good explanation of DCC on Tony's web site. You can either read it online or download it as a .pdf file.

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See if you can't also find someone in your area (e.g. train club) that runs DCC on their layout and ask them if you can't stop by to watch an operations session or see them run it.

There are about 6 or so companies that make decent DCC systems and all have their pros and cons. With the items that you have listed as your requirements, you can spend a little or a lot on a DCC system. The key to finding the right system for you is to determine what things you can live with and what you can't live without.

We're here to help, too, so ask as many questions as you need to. (Even if you think they are dumb.)

Again, welcome aboard!

Tom

[mononguy63]

First of all, welcome to the forums! Stick around and browse the topics - there's a bunch of folks here who really know their stuff & there's lots and lots of really good information to be had.

I'd guess you'll get an overwhelming response of people telling you that it's a no-brainer going DCC. I'll start by saying that I'm a DC guy with no intent to change any time if the foreseeable future, as DCC is a new trick and I'm definitely an old dog.

If you're looking at a single-operator layout that will be running maybe two trains at any time, I question whether the added flexibility and "gee-whiz factor" of DCC really enters into play as much. Like you, my under-construction layout will be modestly-sized with probably one operator for 99% of its existence. I have enough trouble figuring out which thumb is on which hand, much less addressing and juggling two independently-running trains without ending up with a cornfield meet somewhere. My traditional DC block control will serve as that safety net. Is DC less realistic? Sure it is. Easier to set up & run? Depends on whom you ask. For me and my limited resources and even more limited grey matter, I'll stick with what I know and already have - DC.

Good luck, and let the fireworks begin...

[Anonymous]

I'm getting back into modeling after about a 15 year hiatus, and DCC is a mystery to me. I'm planning a medium size layout with single track main and two small yards. I plan on mostly operating by myself, with one train on the main while one switches, or occasionally a local and a passenger train on the main. Occasionally I might have others join me for operation. Given those plans, is DCC for me? Or should I go with good old fashioned block wiring. I'm a little nervous about getting into the expense of DCC, but the flexibility is appealing. Suggestions?