NP2626Interesting, right now we have two guys arguing about DC VS DCC that are both DC guys. Does this make sense to the rest of you?
Just in case I'm one of the two guys referenced in that comment, for the record, I'm a DCC guy. And the argument is not DC vs DCC, it is about the perception of the market share that each represents.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Interesting, right now we have two guys arguing about DC VS DCC that are both DC guys. Does this make sense to the rest of you?
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Sheldon:
You can make the link work by highlighting it, then right clicking on it, and then selecting "Open Link" or something similar from the drop down menu.
Niusance but it works.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
ATLANTIC CENTRALHere is some light reading on this subject from the past. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/225914.aspx?page=1 I have used up my quota of forum time for the month. Sheldon
I reviewed the thread you referenced. I'm surprised you think it supports your argument. You counted 31 responses from folks saying they are running DC. Out of the 2,900+ times that thread has been viewed, only 31 times did someone add a post saying they are running DC. That's about 1%.
gzygadlo This has been an interesting discussion as I'm getting back into the hobby and planning my new layout. I debating whether to do DC because most of my fleet are 20+ year locos and soldering is not a strong suit of mine and if I use DC then I can use them all. On the other side of it from the videos I have seen with the sound and stuff DCC is a nice option and I go have one loco that is DCC ready. I'm the one modeler who is on the fence between the 2. Good number of my locos are all old AHM locos which might be hard to convert to DCC so they might stay in my display cases.
This has been an interesting discussion as I'm getting back into the hobby and planning my new layout. I debating whether to do DC because most of my fleet are 20+ year locos and soldering is not a strong suit of mine and if I use DC then I can use them all. On the other side of it from the videos I have seen with the sound and stuff DCC is a nice option and I go have one loco that is DCC ready. I'm the one modeler who is on the fence between the 2.
Good number of my locos are all old AHM locos which might be hard to convert to DCC so they might stay in my display cases.
DoctorWayne always provides good explanations for many issues..so you may want to refer to his post.
I'll try to put it simply. If you are planning a layout that will require multiple DC blocks to run a train around the layout (because you will be having more than one train moving at a time generally), DCC would probably make that easier.
However, if you are planning the type of layout that Wayne and I have explained, then you can go the generally less expensive route with DC and basically achieve the same results that DCC would provide.
If you want to run onboard sound in some of your locos, I would recommend having some DCC capability for your layout ( and having a clear electrical break between the two systems) since onboard sound locos are a bit phinnicky to operate with DC control, IMO...although many do it.
- Douglas
Doughless...My layout cannot support more than one operator..I want it that way...but it is definitely operations oriented. Enough trains to keep one operator busy, with my attention being focused upon the one train that is moving at any one time. That may not be a popular way to approach the hobby...but I can't be the only one who chooses that style of layout.
You're certainly not alone in your style of layout operation. I run mine the same way, as does a friend who's also interested in operations. I enjoy the social side of the hobby, but for me, that doesn't include operations, at least on my layout. I have run on DCC layouts and, except for the sound, enjoyed it. That layout, however, could probably support 6 or 7 operators.As for wiring, mine is about as simple as it gets: two wires from the power supply to the tracks, and a number of ON/OFF switches to kill power to various sections, usually passing or staging tracks, or industrial sidings. This is not, however, block control for multi-train operation, as only one train runs at a time - one operator, one train in motion.
I have never been "on the fence" about DCC. I think that it's a great system for many users, but it offers nothing that I want or need that isn't possible with DC.
Wayne
Hmm, doesn't seem to allow any sort of link, actually. Though normally I just copy and paste, not use the Insert Link
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/225914.aspx?page=1
In fact, you can view source and see it is just < a > and < /a > and when you explicity change it to < a href = "<url>" > and then save - ir rips out the href part!
I guess this is a 'security' feature so links to malware are not posted. At least for certain types of sites. Link something that ends in .htm or .php and it keeps the href=, post a link to .aspx, which the forum threads are, and it strips the href.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Here is some light reading on this subject from the past.
I have used up my quota of forum time for the month.
Sheldon
PS - aparrently we can no longer link to old threads - another reason to be done with this forum.
carl425 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Second, sales of decoder equiped locos are meaningless. lol - I'm sure that the individuals you have personal contact with represent a more statistically significant sample from which to draw conclusions than millions of dollars in sales figures would. ATLANTIC CENTRAL DCC decoders do not play well with the pulse width modulated control signal from my Aristo Throttles, so the decoders have to go. lol again - Do you REALLY believe that Aristo Throttles make up a significant percentage of the overall model railroad market? ATLANTIC CENTRAL Companies like Bachmann long ago lowered the price of non sound decoder locos to the point where in made no sense to offer DC locos. And, all those Bachmann "DCC onboard" locos come with the jumper pins to facilitate decoder removal. I would take this decision by Bachmann as an indicator that the DCC market is substantially larger than DC - enough larger that throwing away decoders for DC is cheaper than making both types of locomotives.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Second, sales of decoder equiped locos are meaningless.
lol - I'm sure that the individuals you have personal contact with represent a more statistically significant sample from which to draw conclusions than millions of dollars in sales figures would.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL DCC decoders do not play well with the pulse width modulated control signal from my Aristo Throttles, so the decoders have to go.
lol again - Do you REALLY believe that Aristo Throttles make up a significant percentage of the overall model railroad market?
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Companies like Bachmann long ago lowered the price of non sound decoder locos to the point where in made no sense to offer DC locos. And, all those Bachmann "DCC onboard" locos come with the jumper pins to facilitate decoder removal.
I would take this decision by Bachmann as an indicator that the DCC market is substantially larger than DC - enough larger that throwing away decoders for DC is cheaper than making both types of locomotives.
Well you did a great job of trying to twist that all around. I have over 120 locos, easily 45 or 50 of them came with decoders. Yet I use DC. Removed or left in place for their dual mode use, don't you think other DC users are buying locos with decoders? Of course they are. So the sales of decoder equiped locos does not relate directly to DCC use.
What that percentage is I don't know, but a lot of guys on this forum by direct admission do not even own 50 locos, so my purchases alone skew the stats by one user.
True, in HO not many people use the Aristo throttles - in large scale Aristo Throttles likely represent 40% to 60% of that section of the market.
Bachmann's reasoning is sound business, satisfy both customers with one product. Adjusted for inflation there has been little or no increase in Bachmnann prices as they moved from DCC ready to DCC onboard. And they still offer DCC without sound to have that lower price point that will apeal to the non sound crowd - DCC or DC.
ATLANTIC CENTRALSecond, sales of decoder equiped locos are meaningless.
ATLANTIC CENTRALDCC decoders do not play well with the pulse width modulated control signal from my Aristo Throttles, so the decoders have to go.
ATLANTIC CENTRALCompanies like Bachmann long ago lowered the price of non sound decoder locos to the point where in made no sense to offer DC locos. And, all those Bachmann "DCC onboard" locos come with the jumper pins to facilitate decoder removal.
carl425 ATLANTIC CENTRAL It would be safe to assume that users of this forum may tend to be a little more tech oriented, and that users of the Model Rairloader forum are mostly HO an N scale modelers. If I have time later, I will do a search and see if I can find the most recent such poll. Then when you consider that DCC is not popular wilth larger scales, 50% seems to be a pretty safe number regarding the whole hobby. And it is consistant with what several shop owners tell me about their customers - still today. This forum is mostly HO and N because most modelers are in HO and N. If I were to accept your 60/40 split of DCC vs DC, if ALL the large scale guys were DC it would probably move the split to 59/41 rather than 50/50. So many of those shops have closed down that they also represent a small minority of the MRR market. If you want some real numbers, call MB Klein and ask them how many locomotives of all scales they sold last year, how many of those were decoder equipped, and how many decoders they sold. I also believe it to be a false assumption that the MRR forum users are any more tech oriented than anybody else. First off, my mother participates in internet forums. Secondly, MRR's, with the closing of so many local shops are forced online for imformation.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL It would be safe to assume that users of this forum may tend to be a little more tech oriented, and that users of the Model Rairloader forum are mostly HO an N scale modelers. If I have time later, I will do a search and see if I can find the most recent such poll. Then when you consider that DCC is not popular wilth larger scales, 50% seems to be a pretty safe number regarding the whole hobby. And it is consistant with what several shop owners tell me about their customers - still today.
This forum is mostly HO and N because most modelers are in HO and N. If I were to accept your 60/40 split of DCC vs DC, if ALL the large scale guys were DC it would probably move the split to 59/41 rather than 50/50.
So many of those shops have closed down that they also represent a small minority of the MRR market.
If you want some real numbers, call MB Klein and ask them how many locomotives of all scales they sold last year, how many of those were decoder equipped, and how many decoders they sold.
I also believe it to be a false assumption that the MRR forum users are any more tech oriented than anybody else. First off, my mother participates in internet forums. Secondly, MRR's, with the closing of so many local shops are forced online for imformation.
First, I think you under estimate the numbers of people in the larger scales.
Second, sales of decoder equiped locos are meaningless. I buy lots of non sound decoder equiped locos and remove the decoders. I suspect at least 40% of my 120 plus loco fleet came with a decoder.
And if the price is right, I have even been known to buy sound equiped locos and remove the decoders - I can think of at least five such locos in my fleet.
DCC decoders do not play well with the pulse width modulated control signal from my Aristo Throttles, so the decoders have to go.
Basic Bachmann decoders sell very well on Ebay in groups of three. I have nearly 40 spectrum steamers - most came with decoders.
So to assume that all decoder equiped locos are being sold to DCC users would be a big misjudgement.
Companies like Bachmann long ago lowered the price of non sound decoder locos to the point where in made no sense to offer DC locos. And, all those Bachmann "DCC onboard" locos come with the jumper pins to facilitate decoder removal.
See, time gets away from us - 20 year old locos would have been made in the mid-90's and while many may not be "DCC Ready", that term is pretty much meaningless anyway. If they have 2 wires coming out of the motor, even if one is immediately attached to the loco frame, they are not difficult to convert. What gets tricky are ones where one motor brush is grounded to the motor case, and the motor case is the in direct contact with the frame. But this is as much mechnical work needed as it is electrical work.
As for soldering - scan this forum section, there have been many threads on soldering, which pretty much (I think) explain why some people have trouble with it. Generally, a perceived lack of ability to solder comes from either having the wrong size soldering tool for the job, or not keeping the tool clean - usually both. I cringe when I see the videos of people soldering on MRVP - not because of David Popp's shakey hand, but rather because of the dull and dirty looking soldering iron they always use.
As for some older AHM locos - if you have some of the same ones I have, they likely will be best off in the display case. I'm sure I could convert them to DCC, but all of them are early 70's vintage and have the deep flanges which will not work on Code 83 rail. I suppose I could find someone with a lathe to turn down the flanges, but they'd still be the wrong shape and track poorly compared to proper RP-25 flanges. Plus one is the good old Plymouth switcher with a top speed in excess of 200smph - the only HO loco I ever had that could roll right off the tracks like a Lionel die-cast loco. Just not worth it. I hang on to them as memories.
ATLANTIC CENTRALIt would be safe to assume that users of this forum may tend to be a little more tech oriented, and that users of the Model Rairloader forum are mostly HO an N scale modelers. If I have time later, I will do a search and see if I can find the most recent such poll. Then when you consider that DCC is not popular wilth larger scales, 50% seems to be a pretty safe number regarding the whole hobby. And it is consistant with what several shop owners tell me about their customers - still today.
NP2626 I think the threads posted here in Model Railroader's Forums are a pretty poor indicator of what's up with the hobby, what's popular and where the hobby is trending. Possibly the magazine is slightly better at showing what's going on. My interests in this hobby are model building and the Northern Pacific, neither of which is very well represented here in the forums (represented, meaning popularly discussed). So, I wouldn’t take any threads with trending opinions stated here, as anything more than a few people’s opinions, at best. I just don’t think these forums are visited by enough people in the hobby to take anything as very significant! In the case of this thread, you can’t get a real feel for the popularity of DC; or, DCC, from what is discussed here. Possibly a poll might give some good data, if enough people responded.
I think the threads posted here in Model Railroader's Forums are a pretty poor indicator of what's up with the hobby, what's popular and where the hobby is trending. Possibly the magazine is slightly better at showing what's going on. My interests in this hobby are model building and the Northern Pacific, neither of which is very well represented here in the forums (represented, meaning popularly discussed). So, I wouldn’t take any threads with trending opinions stated here, as anything more than a few people’s opinions, at best.
I just don’t think these forums are visited by enough people in the hobby to take anything as very significant! In the case of this thread, you can’t get a real feel for the popularity of DC; or, DCC, from what is discussed here. Possibly a poll might give some good data, if enough people responded.
I agree that even a direct poll on this or any forum is rather un-scientific, but we have taken several such polls on here over the years with two consistant results.
We hear from a lot of people who who don't post a lot regularly - you know the ones who read but seldom post.
And, the numbers have always been about 60% DCC and 40% DC.
It would be safe to assume that users of this forum may tend to be a little more tech oriented, and that users of the Model Rairloader forum are mostly HO an N scale modelers.
If I have time later, I will do a search and see if I can find the most recent such poll.
Then when you consider that DCC is not popular wilth larger scales, 50% seems to be a pretty safe number regarding the whole hobby.
And it is consistant with what several shop owners tell me about their customers - still today.
Here in the local group I sometimes frequent, DCC use is a high percentage. But these are mostly large basement empire, operations centered layouts owned by people with the resources to build just that sort of layout. And even at that, DCC is not the choice of all.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL You are not alone by any means. There is a LARGE number of single operator operations focused layouts out there. One guy I know has a 1200 sq foot basement filled with a point to point Industrial Switching Layout - his control system - a single Aristo Wireless Radio Throttle. Sheldon
You are not alone by any means. There is a LARGE number of single operator operations focused layouts out there. One guy I know has a 1200 sq foot basement filled with a point to point Industrial Switching Layout - his control system - a single Aristo Wireless Radio Throttle.
Sounds interesting. 1200 SF is a lot of ground to cover.
I'm sure that there are more MRRs like him and me out there. I just think they are probably less vocal than more socially oriented MRRs.
Doughless trainnut1250 I don't think DC is going anywhere, but DCC is the dominant control system in our area - especially for OPs based layouts. Guy To the bolded...I know what you're trying to say, so it may be just semantics...but I would call those layouts a "club style" of layout. One that supports numerous trains, several operators, possibly even a person who's sole responibility is distpatching. My layout cannot support more than one operator..I want it that way...but it is definitely operations oriented. Enough trains to keep one operator busy, with my attention being focused upon the one train that is moving at any one time. That may not be a popular way to approach the hobby...but I can't be the only one who chooses that style of layout.
trainnut1250 I don't think DC is going anywhere, but DCC is the dominant control system in our area - especially for OPs based layouts. Guy
Guy
To the bolded...I know what you're trying to say, so it may be just semantics...but I would call those layouts a "club style" of layout. One that supports numerous trains, several operators, possibly even a person who's sole responibility is distpatching.
My layout cannot support more than one operator..I want it that way...but it is definitely operations oriented. Enough trains to keep one operator busy, with my attention being focused upon the one train that is moving at any one time. That may not be a popular way to approach the hobby...but I can't be the only one who chooses that style of layout.
The question was raised, why a DC person would look into a DCC collum. I for one always look at the new stuff in all powering ideas. Stayed with DC at first because DCC just had problems at first, any new idea has. When sound came about, I tried that when a buddy came over (my layout is convertable in less than a min.). Liked the sound but the starts and stops of it were annoying. Later the keep-alive stuff came out which fixed most of that but by then I was getting into dead rail, will continue on that route because the new batterys coming online will make it a reality without being an electical guru. Things like recharge from the tracks and 10 min. or less recharge time on 10 hour batterys, those are here or will be shortly. For those not into trains, your cell phone will last days on one charge used heavily!!!!!!!!!!!!
carl425 ATLANTIC CENTRAL Respectfully, considering only those interested "realistic multi train operation" smacks of the "who is a REAL, or serious, model railroader" convestation. That is not at all my intent. Any discussion of a control system is only relevant in the context of what kind of operation one is trying to control. You would not recommend your control system for a loop around the Christmas tree any more than I would recommend DCC. Respectfully, accusing me of trying to define "REAL or serious" smacks of attempting to discredit my argument by disparaging me personally.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Respectfully, considering only those interested "realistic multi train operation" smacks of the "who is a REAL, or serious, model railroader" convestation.
That is not at all my intent. Any discussion of a control system is only relevant in the context of what kind of operation one is trying to control. You would not recommend your control system for a loop around the Christmas tree any more than I would recommend DCC.
Respectfully, accusing me of trying to define "REAL or serious" smacks of attempting to discredit my argument by disparaging me personally.
Actually, my Chrisdtmas tree loop of On30 is controlled by an Aristo Wireless Radio Throttle just like my HO layout.
Well my intent was not to attack you personally, but your post did have a little bit of a "tone" as to imply that those who have built ops based layouts in the last 10-15 years are somehow more relevant to the discussion.
Actually, I would agree that most small scale modelers with a serriouis interest in group operations have converted to DCC, especially if they have built a layout in the last 10-15 years. Most of my ops focused friends have gone DCC, many with complex computer based signaling and CTC.
But this is big annd diverse hobby. And it is getting more diverse even if it is not growing in numbers. There is more of a casual or collector small scale (HO and N) segment than ever before.
And the larger scales which saw massive popularity increases in the 90's are at least holding their own. In scales larger than HO, DCC is the minority control choice, likely less than 20%. Lionel and MTH have their systems, and in large scale the various direct radio systems dominate by a long shot.
In HO DCC may well have surpased the 50% mark, likely around 70% by now. I suspect DCC is easily at 50% in N scale, but HO and N are not the begining or end of model trains.
I will quickly agree that if you want an operations based layout, but you are not going to do signaling, DCC is a good choice.
DCC assumes the operator focus is on being the engineer - I also like to be the disaptcher or railroad president at times. When I do want the "engineer" experiance, my radio throttles give me all that I need.
Again it gets back to the idea that one size does NOT fit all, and that control systems can be taylored around specific goals and needs.
carl425 I would expect though, if you looked only at the segment of the market where realistic multi-train operation is a priority, that the DCC penetration is much higher - especially if you further narrow the segment to layouts started in the last 10-15 years.
I would expect though, if you looked only at the segment of the market where realistic multi-train operation is a priority, that the DCC penetration is much higher - especially if you further narrow the segment to layouts started in the last 10-15 years.
Yes, I have found that to be true from my observations. All of the layouts in my area (save one) have been DCC for many years. All of the OPS based layouts switched over in the early 2000s or earlier to DCC. I don't think DC is going anywhere, but DCC is the dominant control system in our area - especially for OPs based layouts.
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
ATLANTIC CENTRALRespectfully, considering only those interested "realistic multi train operation" smacks of the "who is a REAL, or serious, model railroader" convestation.
carl425 ATLANTIC CENTRAL For many that best choice is DCC - but now after over 20 years, that still only accounts for about half the model train market. I don't necessarily dispute it, but I'm curious where you got the data to support the assertion that DCC only accounts for half of the market. Are you speaking in dollars or customers? I would expect though, if you looked only at the segment of the market where realistic multi-train operation is a priority, that the DCC penetration is much higher - especially if you further narrow the segment to layouts started in the last 10-15 years. You are clearly a "one percenter" based on your understanding of MRR control, roll-your-own or otherwise. While you are both willing and able to create something of the complexity your control system represents, the other 99% of us are either unwilling, unable or both. We are the target market for DCC. ATLANTIC CENTRAL I wonder if Model Railroader would publish an article called "The features and benefits of advanced cab control" or "MZL control revisited" I don't wonder at all. While they may have leaned that way in the past, MR is not today a 1% magazine. All of those have gone out of business. I believe that what many consider to be supporting the advertisers is really an honest effort to support and promote the hobby. If you had a job like that, what would do? By dedicating a monthly column to DCC, it's clear that they believe DCC is critical to the success of the hobby. I agree with them.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL For many that best choice is DCC - but now after over 20 years, that still only accounts for about half the model train market.
I don't necessarily dispute it, but I'm curious where you got the data to support the assertion that DCC only accounts for half of the market. Are you speaking in dollars or customers?
You are clearly a "one percenter" based on your understanding of MRR control, roll-your-own or otherwise. While you are both willing and able to create something of the complexity your control system represents, the other 99% of us are either unwilling, unable or both. We are the target market for DCC.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I wonder if Model Railroader would publish an article called "The features and benefits of advanced cab control" or "MZL control revisited"
I don't wonder at all. While they may have leaned that way in the past, MR is not today a 1% magazine. All of those have gone out of business. I believe that what many consider to be supporting the advertisers is really an honest effort to support and promote the hobby. If you had a job like that, what would do? By dedicating a monthly column to DCC, it's clear that they believe DCC is critical to the success of the hobby. I agree with them.
Respectfully, considering only those interested "realistic multi train operation" smacks of the "who is a REAL, or serious, model railroader" convestation. But my layout supports realistic multi train operation and the operators do not have to flip ANY block toggles - they just have to obey the CTC signals and control the speed and direction of their train - just like you do with DCC.
And, my layout is also designed for industrial switching, and the other extreme - simple display loop running of multiple trains.
When signaling and CTC are added to DCC, it is just as complex as my system - only more expensive - for features I don't need.
You may be happy without signaling, I consider it essential to modeling a Class I railroad set in the 1950's.
As to my figures on how many people use DCC, or don't - it comes from a long observation, conversations with shop owners, random surveys on this forum, and a personal count of modelers I know.
Dollars spend is of no value because it is likely that those who do not spend money on DCC, spend that money on other aspects of the hobby.
What is critical to the success of this hobby is a return to modeling and a better chain of supply - but that is two different topics.
ATLANTIC CENTRALFor many that best choice is DCC - but now after over 20 years, that still only accounts for about half the model train market.
ATLANTIC CENTRALI wonder if Model Railroader would publish an article called "The features and benefits of advanced cab control" or "MZL control revisited"
NP2626 Yes, DCC Corner has been an ongoing column in Model Railroader for years! It had been written by Mike Polsgrove (spelling) and was taken over by Mr. Puckett as of the February 2015 issue. I don't know that it has been in every issue; but, I believe it was considered a regular column. I guess that fact that you are not a DCC guy would make it easy enough to overlook this colomn in the magazine.
Yes, DCC Corner has been an ongoing column in Model Railroader for years! It had been written by Mike Polsgrove (spelling) and
was taken over by Mr. Puckett as of the February 2015 issue. I don't know that it has been in every issue; but, I believe it was considered a regular column.
I guess that fact that you are not a DCC guy would make it easy enough to overlook this colomn in the magazine.
Thanks. I do vaguely recall such a column, but I didn't know if it was regular each month or what.
Personally, I'm not a DC guy either. I don't particularly care for electronics of any sort. Just not interested. I know enough about electronics to operate the trains the way I want to, which is the goal. Its a great hobby will the potential for all sorts of "subinterests" within it, but electronics...either DC or DCC..is just not that interesting to me. I come onto this part of the forum when I see discussions about sound decoder installations, questions, or reviews, etc.
Or in the case of this thread, to offer my two cents about the thinking behind my operating system and explain that the goal is to have the trains run the way I want them to by the simplest way of doing it, as I see it. And to offer the notion that there are probably many modelers who aren't sitting on the fence at all, after carefully weighing the benefits for them.
Doughless ATLANTIC CENTRAL Why would a DC user read the DCC column? Sheldon, Is this a recurring column in the mag? I've been reading MR for over 30 years and I never noticed, at least not regularly that I remember. I'm not kidding. I've read DCC manuals to help program certain things for what I want locos to do. I've researched it to help decide if DCC would benefit me, and it doesn't as a control system, but I've never read recurring articles about DCC as a general topic of interest. As you said, some folks have different interests within the hobby itself.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Why would a DC user read the DCC column?
Why would a DC user read the DCC column?
Sheldon,
Is this a recurring column in the mag? I've been reading MR for over 30 years and I never noticed, at least not regularly that I remember. I'm not kidding.
I've read DCC manuals to help program certain things for what I want locos to do. I've researched it to help decide if DCC would benefit me, and it doesn't as a control system, but I've never read recurring articles about DCC as a general topic of interest.
As you said, some folks have different interests within the hobby itself.
Yes, DCC Corner has been an ongoing column in Model Railroader for years! It had been written by Mike Polsgrove (spelling) and was taken over by Mr. Puckett as of the February 2015 issue. I don't know that it has been in every issue; but, I believe it was considered a regular column.
When I can get a good quality full-function decoder for ~$5 I might get interested in DCC, but with a large fleet of powered traction models, the price has to be quite low for me to be able to afford converting to DCC.