Anyone with DC still?

[sebamat]

I have DC, and had the posibility to try DCC in a club layout.

I will stick to DC because:
I have over 400 engines, after US and european prototipes, some over 30y old, and a lot of them steam, and I like tho have the chance to run them all.
No way I will have the time, technical skills(!!) and money to convert them. Those would not be 'plug and play transformation', I would need to redo all the wiring of the engines, and some times you even need to replace the motors (I saw that at the club). And lately you can use at least the most basic sound functions (wisstles, engine sound) working even on a DC layout, taking away one of the attraction..

My experience with the club layout on dcc showed that this is not without problems: a high sensibility toward dirty tracks (a lot more than my DC layout), and 'fried' decoders weren't so rare either! Decoder loosing the programming either.

With a good number of blocks (ok that was some wiring work invested.), I can do almost everything (even adding pusher on the front of the train) with my dc layout.

sebastiano

[XMarine]

The cost and time involved in converting 80+ locos as well as the time to code everything is the draw back. I'll stick with DC thank you. Even large layouts can be wired simply and work just fine with DC. Yes DCC can allow one to operate many trains on the same track. But even the real railroads use blocks and central control with no two trains in the same section of track (block).

[AntonioFP45]

CNJ, thanks for your well thought out response.

Funny you mentioned baby boomers as I'm one myself (born 1963, officially the cutoff year).

You're right, a huge portion of modelers are in our age group, however, I'm just pointing out that as with other technology innovations, a number of posters seem to make the extra effort to "down play" DCC.

Just two points.

1. My attitude is " OK,; we can downplay it with stats but the fact remains it's growing and as we baby boomer age, a lot of the younger modelers that move into better, financially rewarding careers $$ will likely decide to go with command control.

2. I do disagree with you regarding a large "outlay of money and time". For even a medium sized layout a Digitrax Zephyr system is a one time "big investment" for $199 (cheaper than some Atlas and BLI locomotives). I was wrong about decoders.........at some discount web stores some are selling for $12 apiece. So for modelers with a fleet of 20 HO plastic locomotives, the conversion over to DCC is still cheaper than buying ONE brass locomotive from Overland Models; some which run an easy $600 and up! So the argument about the "High Costs" just doesn't wash.

But of course it's going to cost more than DC. However, as with anything........you want more, you pay more. How much is up to the customer.

Peace.

[BRAKIE]

There are problems with DCC at club levels..What to do if several members have the same engine number and refuse to change the number? Again DCC still has many issues that needs to be address by large groups.

[AntonioFP45]

Brakie,

I've asked similar questions at the club I just joined - --- Let's see......it takes about 20 to 30 seconds to change just "one digit" on a DCC controller for a club session. No hard choices there. Problem easily solved. At a club, the atmosphere should be one of fun, not petty arguments over something so small and easily adjustable.

Just curious. What are the other "Many Issues" for large groups. When the club I just joined was all DC, I was told that there were also a few issues then as well, including arguments over DC Cab Route assignments.

Guys, issues can be big or small, regardless of which technology a club chooses, whether DC or DCC. We can still downplay dcc, but would be good to see some more solid points if you're pointing out all of DCC's faults.

[twhite]

I'm sticking with DC, mainly because of the fact that I've got about 55 or so older brass steamers, and I run them all, and to convert them to DCC would put me in hock up to my eyeballs. I don't mind DC--okay, I can't run two trains on the mainline and do some switching at the same time, but since I only want to concentrate on one thing at a time anyway, I don't feel that I'm missing out.
And frankly, at my age, reading an article on installing DCC on a layout my size just makes my eyeballs turn back in my head, anyway. Electronics and I are not the best of friends to begin with--I'm still trying to figure out my computer.
I'll stick with DC, thanks.
Tom [:D]

[rolleiman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

There are problems with DCC at club levels..What to do if several members have the same engine number and refuse to change the number? Again DCC still has many issues that needs to be address by large groups.

Stick to the DC systems if you want, it really makes no difference to me.. But this is just plain bull.

QUOTE:
What to do if several members have the same engine number and refuse to change the number?

Send them to the corner until they learn to play with others.. Petty crap like this is exactly why I don't belong to a club. And yes, I too would like to know what the other "many issues" are..

[CP5415]

DC still here.

Sometime in the future I may go with DCC but that won't be until after the kids are done University.

Gordon