ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll – February 26, 2003

[Bergie]

Recently, a few model railroad manufacturers have announced HO scale locomotives with preinstalled DCC decoders as well as sound systems. How important are these features to you?

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[dave9999]

I chose very important. I don't buy a lot of locos, so the ones I do buy, are of better quality.
I use DCC and would prefer them to come DCC equipped, not just DCC ready. And if they are availeable with sound, that's a bonus. Dave

[mikebonellisr]

I have decoders and sound in all of my engines.Many times installed at different times.It 's a big help not having the engines and tenders handled too often ...It's hard on the super detailed equipment,and usually cheaper in the long run.

[CP5415]

I have neither & I'm going to keep it that way for the time being.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I could almost care less about sound. DCC might be ok right now I don't have a need for it either but the option is nice.

RMax

[Anonymous]

Sound is nice, as a novelty, but lets be realistic here. Once you get 2-4 engines running with sound, it starts to become noise. I was at a layout this week with about a dozen engines with sound, all on. [V]Trying to have a conversation or asking a question without yelling was impossible. It actually detracted from operation. Sound really needs to remain in the realm of an owner add-on, and not a standard factory function. Otherwise, we'll all go deaf!

[PistolPete]

Currently I have no DCC or sound equipped, however when my major building is complete I will next be upgrading the quality of my engines. Before I do that I will need to revisit theDCC use question.[?]

[Anonymous]

Hi Guy's:

Being in N-scale we do not have any thing with sound installed. The more that comes in HO the sooner it will become available in N-scale.....so keep those engines a rolling.

To all those manufacturers that read this forum I would like to add that in the last 2 years I have not bought a loco that was not DCC ready and most of the ones that I did purchase had the decoders in.

Keep the wheels on the rails
STAN

[Eriediamond]

In answer to the poll, no. Locos with DCC preinstalled is not important to me as I'm not into DCC at the present. However, it does concern me, in that by offering motive power with DCC factory installed will eventually lead to phase out of standard DC. As it is now most of the products are coming to us DCC "ready", at least the higher end quality locos. This is fine for those who intend to go the way of DCC. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is an added expense for some of us for a feature we never intend to use. With this said, I would think it would be an asset to those who run DCC if the decoders are compatable with al the different DCC systems out there. Regards

[Anonymous]

You left one choice out of your poll. Keep the sound, drop the DCC.

[sully57]

Well, at 54, I am into the hobby less than 6 mos. BUT - I am on a budget, so started with DC, and a couple of locos. After most initial expenditures are complete, and I am humming along, I definitely want to get into DCC. There's no way of avoiding it guys - it's the new wave (for now). It's cool, and not going away. So, with that in mind, I will always make future loco expenditures, with DCC in mind. And, why not sound? Sure beats the single button generic 'blast' of a whistle I had as a kid. Back then the sound came from a billboard, always at the same end of the layout (no matter where the loco was steaming towards). And with DCC, sound is more realisitic to the loco it is eminating from. AND, the sound actually comes from the moving loco, and not from a static location on the layout! -Sully

[Anonymous]

I love operating with sound. That says it all. John.

[Anonymous]

Locos with mandatory DCC and sound mean one thing -- higher prices. Plastic locos of medium or better quality are $125 to $175 now. Adding sound will take them over $200. Yes, even small layouts can benefit from DCC. Yes, it would be fun to have control over ditch lights, and to be able to blow long-long-short-long at the crossings. But not so much fun I'm willing to pay that kind of money.

[Anonymous]

I would like to get into DCC but I don't feel that sound is mandatory to go a long with it. I like the idea that the are Dcc and sound ready.

[Anonymous]

On a small layout, such as my "N" scale layout, I have no need for DCC but do enjoy having a sound system built by Tri-tec, with speakers located at strategic spots. The sound system along with a LED signal system really adds class to the layout

[theghan]

i like it when they install dcc decoders as our club has moved this way ,not too interested in sound at the moment maybe later when the price drops

[Anonymous]

Before, While I was a supporter od DCC. I was planning an using my existing DC infristrucure for the time being on my present layout. But now that I have experienced sound in my locomotices. I am converting whole hog.

[Anonymous]

Standardize the systems to work DCC, or analog, as the modelers out there have VERY differing requirements. Myself, it's been 45 years of enjoyment, and I welcome improvements. I have about 6 units with DCC/ analog features, the rest of the 126 powered units do not. Will I install DCC in all these older units>not in this lifetime. Analog and sound is fine for now, rewiring the layout?---well lets not discuss it here.Operating the railroad will always be first.

[Anonymous]

$$$$$$$$$! I'm retired. $$$$$$$$$ out of my pocket when I buy a new engine.
I'd like to have 1(ONE) engine equipped with sound, but not at $150 to $200. To me,
after 45 min. of sound, I begin to hear a noise. I was a guest at a local club during a
DCC demonstration. I sat through 15 min. of sound from a diesel loco and 45 min. of noise.
I do not find fault with those who prefer DCC and/or sound. I feel this shoud be the
individual modeller's choice. DCC is great if someone doesn't like to run wires and flip
toggle switches. It probably is easier to operate mutiple powered engines and no doubt has other positives.
Maybe I'm old fashioned. I've been into model railroading for 54 (fifty-four) years. DCC and sound? I recall a steam engine construction article by Mel Thornburgh in the early
1950's. If my memory serves me, Mel used a piece of hollowed out broomstick for
the boiler. How many of you guys remember Mel? He was one heck of a modeller
who ranked very close to Frank Ellison and John Allen.
Fishwagon

[Anonymous]

I'm building my first layout since I was a kid (if you really called that a layout) I am going with DCC. It will be nice not haveing to add decoderes to loco's but not the biggest thing in the world

[Anonymous]

Well all I have right now is DC and one DCC ready Loco. Sound is ok to a point. I prefer to be able to just use what I have for now and like for it to stay as a ready for DCC and not be the only way to buy a new Loco. It should be as a choose if you wont it one way or the other. My train budget is tight right now and so the new Loco is out of the quistion for me.
Trainman18

[lceeg]

Keep the sound, drop the DCC

[Anonymous]

I don't have DCC and probably never will! So the idea of sound is very exciting especially because my road is almost entirely steam run (you do know that diesels are just boxes on wheels don't you?) I recently purchased the BLI mikado and am in love with steam locomotives all over again. When I build my layout it will have block control and since it will be small enough for 2 or 3 operators I see no need for the expense and complications of DCC. Tom B. Mojave Sierra & Rio Grande RR

[Anonymous]

With reference to the ecomonic law of less cost per greater quantity produced, if a decoder was installed on every piece of motive power the cost per unit would be minimal. Those who did not wi***o use it would simply "turn it off".
Standardizing the decoders to a few types would allow motive power manufacturers to "design in" the decoders easierly. This would help attract new people to the hobby insuring the industry's health. NMRA do your thing!

[Anonymous]

When I started my layout DCC was not on the market. I used the old system and am still using it, so I have no use for decoders. That said though if I was starting over I would probably go with DCC as it seems easier to install and superior. That said I feel that for at least now it should be an option as there are still a lot of DC layouts still around and it wouldn't be worth the extra costs

[Anonymous]

I think the industry must move with the times. As technology becomes available, use it or make it an option at the time of purchase. In order to attract and hold the attention of up and coming modelers I believe technology will play a big part.

[Anonymous]

Not interested in HO, but if offered in N scale it would be a different story. I believe it would add a more realistic effect. I am a strong supporter of DCC and have used it sence starting in the hobby.

[nfmisso]

After hearing my BLI A's, my said that all my locomotive should have sound, and I already have a DCC system..... As a result of this, my focus is narrowing, and surplus equipment is going to go on ebay to fund a narrower and smaller (though still very large) collection.

FYI; I have put my order in for two sound equipped Atlas FM H-24-66 in Virginian - my story is the N&W tested them when they arrived.....<G>

[LuthierTom]

One of the things which is important to me with ANY electronics (including locomotives) is "backwards compatability" - the ability to interface with existing infrastructure. For locomotives, this means the ability to operate on conventional DC layouts. I think BLI has shown the way here by producing locomotives which will operate with or without sound, and on DC or DCC layouts without the operator having to change anything. Yes, it costs a little more, but it covers the entire market, including those of us who have not felt the need to go DCC.

[tomwatkins]

I run DCC and sound, so having the option of buying off the shelf locomotives with both factory installed is nice. The most important factors are suitability for my layout and quality, in terms of how well they run. Installing DCC and sound isn't that difficult. I'd rather have a locomotive that runs well and is properly weighted and balanced out of the box than one with bells and whistles. Incidently, I have just gotten my 3rd BLI heavy mike and really like them. They have good weight, they run well, and the DCC and sound are already done. As far as the noise level in the railroad room goes, I find that adjusting the volume level for each locomotive down to a low but audible level really helps.
Tom Watkins