"I yam what I yam!" (Popeye)
So I'm not even going to mention what I am (having already done so.) Instead, I'm going to hark back to the (not so) thrilling days of yesteryear (ca. 2006-8) when a few users, having drunk deeply at the well of DCC, approached discussions such as this with the attitude of evangelists castigating unbelievers. Both Sheldon and I were told, bluntly, "Change to DCC and you'll be saved." Not one of those people had any idea what features the MZL system has, what kind of layout we each had or what kind of operation we wished to pursue. It was simply, "DCC or eternal damnation to the fires of a coal-burning locomotive." The concept that one size does not fit all (which I have typed at least a hundred times in various posts) simply did not register with the folks in question.
So, what system should a modeler use? The one that best fits his or her requirements and bank balance. No one size can possibly fit all.
As for how many people use what, this professional statistician lists that under "Insufficient data, and of no practical use if known." How many Argentinian Gauchos still use bolas is about equally interesting.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - a size which fits me)
We asked this question recently as part of our reader survey, which goes out monthly to a portion of subscribers to our e-mailed newsletter. Though only 130 people responded, the results were pretty much the same as they've been when we asked the same question previously.
Answer Choices Percentage No. Respondents
Digital Command Control 56.92% 74Direct Current 33.85% 44Radio Control (not DCC) 1.54% 2Alternating Current 3.85% 5Other 3.85% 5Total 130
There's your answer.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Thanks, Steven, for posting those results. Personally, I found those results credible, from everything that I have read and experienced in dealing with other modelers.
Rich
Alton Junction
Steven OtteWe asked this question recently as part of our reader survey
Can we see the rest?
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.
Steve,
Are any of those others, by chance, clockwork (aka windup.)
This inquiring mind recalls that as being a popular choice for garden railways in a couple of British model mags I bought in London 58 years ago...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL)
tomikawaTT Steve, Are any of those others, by chance, clockwork (aka windup.) This inquiring mind recalls that as being a popular choice for garden railways in a couple of British model mags I bought in London 58 years ago... Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL)
I read where some of those old guys could wind the locomotive so it would stop right at the next station. A lost skill for sure.
Enjoy
Paul
carl425 Can we see the rest?
The rest of what? The rest of the questions? I'm afraid not. The others ask readers to rate articles and departments in the magazine issue. They're intended for internal consumption, to help us shape future article choices. The DCC question was asked merely to put in context the answers about the department DCC Corner.
tomikawaTT Are any of those others, by chance, clockwork (aka windup.)
We didn't ask respondents to specify what their "other" was. I suppose it's possible. It could also mean a static display. I've even seen a sub-Z-scale layout on which a maglev train carved from balsa wood was propelled around a track by air jets blown through angled holes drilled in the roadbed. So, "other" could be almost anything.
It would be good to get some data on this..our club has added DCC (Digitrax) to all our layouts since about 2002. We still maintain DC capabilities since all of us have oldies but goodies with DC motors. However, almost all of us have no compunctions about running DC engines with the stretch zero. So for about 30 modelers here we are all into DCC to one degree or another.