If there is one area where DC has the advantage over DCC, it is cost.
For DCC, you need to purchase a command station, booster, and throttle.
Then, you either have to install your own decoders or purchase locomotives with decoders installed.
If you want sound, that is an additional expense.
Rich
Alton Junction
Here's my suggestion..
Try a MRC Tech 6 and handheld throttle-should be around $130.00 street..With the hand held throttle you can run up to 6 decoder equipped locomotives.This isn't much of a investment like a regular DCC starter system would be and it will get your feet wet..
If you don't like DCC then you can still use the Tech 6 and hand held throttle in the DC mode.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
For a layout your size, you wouldn't need a large DCC setup.
Your base system could be a Digitrax Zephyr Extra ($225 list), which would provide you with 3.0 amps to power the trains. 4-6 locomotives could be run at the same time without overloading the power supply. The command station can handle 20 cabs (each throttle control is called a cab), and can run 20 locomotives at the same time.
If you need more power, I would recommend the DB200 PLUS 8 amp booster. List price is $200, slightly more than the 5 amp booster.
If you plan on having more than one person run trains at a time, you will need several operator cabs, which range in price from $80 to $135 depending on features (infrared, radio). A full throttle costs as much as a command station, and can be used to program locomotives. Operator throttles can run trains and operate accessories, but cannot be used for programming.
Digitrax makes a single-block autoreverser that costs $30. Other manufactures make multiple-block autoreversers that can be used with a Digitrax power bus, so shop around for what fits your needs best. A quad-autoreverser would probably best fit your needs, and I think NCE makes one for about $80.
A typical set-up for a layout your size would consist of:
The total cost would be $516-556 plus decoders. This is quite a bit, but the cost would be spread out over a couple years, starting with the command station, then the autoreverser, then a throttle and a panel, then a couple more panels, finally the second throttle.
Digitrax is nice because you can use the it to run a single DC locomotive without requiring you to install a DCC decoder (other manufacturers do not offer this feature).
I would use SPDT or DPDT switches to control the motorized turnouts and the turntables. Getting accessory decoders for these would cost a bit, and it would be simpler to just use switches.
Digitrax makes a stationary decoder (DS44) that can control 4 slow motion switch machines, so two of those would take care of everything. Each one costs $40, so $80 for the pair. I've tried controlling switches from a throttle, and it is inconvenient to say the least. If you have a bunch of ground throws as well, I would suggest using switches instead of decoders.
DCC greatly simplifies layout wiring, and will save you a great deal of time compared to block control. On a layout your size, the cost will be about the same (or slightly less) than wiring for DC blocks, but will save you a lot of wiring.
S&S
Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!
I'm still on DC at home, but use DCC in my modular club. The club standard wiring (HOn3 Free-mo) can use Lenz, Digitrax, or NCE command stations and throttles. But we have never used anything but NCE at setups in the last 3 years.
The feet of track really has little impact on the choice or the cost. The number of turnouts doesn't either, unless you choose to control turnouts with DCC (most do not). I guess the DC equivalent of controlling turnouts with DCC would be a matrix route system - it's been done on complex layouts, but most don't bother.
What does matter is the number of trains being operated simulaneously, and how close they are being run together. For up to 2 trains simultaneously, DC wiring is pretty simple and cheap. If the number of simultaneous trains (double headed or triple headed counts as 1 train for DC purposes) gets to 3 or more, then the block switches/block implementation takes more thought and cost.
DCC's independent but direct control of locomotives rather than sections of track is also an advantage where track is shared between multiple trains in fairly close proximity.
Reversing loops are much easier to automate with DCC if bi-directional, continuous running through the reversing loop is anticipated.
Turntables are normally a wash (assumes split ring wiring).
If you want sound, go DCC.
The other important criteria is your understanding (or willingness to learn) how to implement DC or how to program DCC decoders. With both DC and DCC, you can remain at a very simple level and be quite happy (and it costs less). But if you want more, there is a learning curve with either DC or DCC. The DC learning curve is mostly in the implementation (the block control logic and wiring). The DCC curve is mostly in tuning decoders and locomotives through programming them.
my thoughts and experiences, your choices
Fred W
I have always said that "if you are wondering whether you should marry a person or not, the fact you are asking the question at all,should give you your answer". The same goes for hobbies. If you are asking if you can afford something or not, just the fact you asked the question tells me you probably should have a little more padding in your bank account.
I am fortunate that money isn't an issue for me in retirement. However I am holding off buying all those more expensive brass Locomotives (for now) just because I don't feel time spent in the train room balances out with the cash outlay of the more luxurious items one can acquire.
I haven't had the latest top of the line mountain bike for a number of years now. Old age has put a crimp in my ability to enjoy that sport. It was easy to spend big bucks on a new one every couple of years when it got a lot of use though.
DCC is wonderful even on a small layout. I would trade owning fewer locos for DCC any day. I did delay buying my DCC system until I new MRR was going to stay with me as a hobby though. I ran my two DCC equipped locos with a 50 year old power pack on my 6' x 18' oval for a while. It was easy to take the plunge into DCC when I did though, but I never regretted taking my time doing so.
Good luck.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Not sure if I want to jump into DCC. I bought 2 books, DCC the basics and Digitrax big book of DCC. Seems that everything you want to do with it takes another module, or another booster or breaker and everything takes a decoder. And it all seems expensive. The first phase of my layout will have only about 60ft of track, 3 turnouts controlled with tortoise slow switch machines, one reversing loop and a turn table. After phase 2 is done there will be over 180ft of track, 5 switch machines, 2 reversing loops and 2 turntables and I would like it all to be controlled by DCC but the cost might prevent me. I will only run 2 to 3 locos at a time and not many(If any) lighted cars. I'm probably missing something but that's the gist. Thoughts any one?