"DCC Made Easy" book and other ?'s

[Anonymous]

Since I'm new in this hobby, and trying to learn while making my list for things that I'll need to start building my HO layout, the DCC stuff is hard for me to grasp. The only thing I kind of understand is that DCC is allowing you to actually running the train itself, and not tracks. I've seen this book mentioned, but does it mention and explain about the most popular units out there? I've seen alot of recs for Digitrax Zephyr, and I like the price of that compared to other units. And is the language used easy for this over 40 year old woman to understand?

My layout will be about 15' long and will run 2 trains to start (I will run a passenger, and my husband wants to run steam loco freight), and may work up to around 4 later on. I love to have sound, and plan on having alot of lights (for structures) and maybe some animation on the layout. Would the Zephyr accommidate this? Also, how can two people run the layout with one unit? Do we need two handhelds? Sorry for all the questions, but I have tried researching this, and the more I read some things, the more confused I get.

TIA

Cindy (future Santa Fe Super Chief Engineer)

[dave9999]

I use the Digitrax Zephyr system and have nothing but good things to say about it.
This unit alows you to use a dc power pack as a second throttle, so you dont have to purchase
handhelds unless you just want the mobility.As far as sound, this unit allows you to program
all CV's for Soundtraxx decoders.You can adjust volumes,change horns and whistles,and
control bell rings. Once you dive into DCC, it's not as complicated as it probably seems right
now. Hope this helps, Dave

[Anonymous]

THE book to get is "The Big Book of DCC". Although it is mostly about Digitrax, the theoretical is transferable to all systems. The Zephyr makes a great units for yard work where having a hand held isn't critical, since your not following trains around the layout. But you need handhelds to follow your train around; one hand held per person following their trains around the layout. Some of the Digitrax hand helds can control two trains, but only the person carrying the hand held can control the two trains. This is great when you are by yourself, for example, and want a passenger train running while you do some switching.

Right now, the Zephyr is considered the best entry level system out there. Although I have the Chief, if starting over, I would probably buy the Zephyr and then build my system from there. Basically the Zephyr is a miniature full blown system so you won't have any future "growth" problems.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dave and Rick!

I went to the Digitrax site and printed out the Zephyr manual. It is a very well written step by step manual. Looks like this will be on my list when I start going shopping. The site also has some pretty good info on DCC.

Cindy