The "DCC WAVE" has it influenced your model railroading?

[AntonioFP45]

Hey friends![8D]

I currently don't have an HO layout as I'm in the planning stage. When I'm finished "tweaking" the locomotive fleet (simple maintenance or complete remotoring), the decoders and their special lighting effects are going in! [swg][tup]

These include my older Atlas with the Roco drives as well as my Athearns. The Athearn Cowls and the U-Boats will be the first ones with sound. Any new units will have decoders "dropped in". I've decided to wait for the Soundtraxx's "Tsunami" release [;)]

For those of you (including me) on a budget [2c] ; many local model railroad shops still offer "LAYAWAY". If you really do want to explore DCC, go for it! DCC is becoming more and more user friendly and costs are not so high, especially if buying from Litchfield Station or Tony's Trains! [:D][8D][:)][8)][^][:P]

[Anonymous]

My layout will be controlled using Bachmann EZ DCC command, but until I can get that, I'll stick to DC. DC is just fine, DCC does seem a appealing, but with all the lights and sounds, ugh! Sound is great in one or two locomotives but after a while, IT BECOMES NOISE. Bachmann's DCC is the only DCC that's easy to hook up to EZ track. I don't plan on having more than 12 locos anytime soon, anyway.

[Anonymous]

I just use conventional power on my layout and am very happy with it. I have no intention of getting DCC.

[Fergmiester]

Whether I'll have an option in a few years is erelavent. I'll stay with DC cab control as long as I can. I have only so many dollars available and do not feel obliged to cave to the "You must Have This" Gurus. There are more important things to buy then DCC chips for $50s.

[dano99a]

I converted my DC layout to DCC back in January, since then I've converted all my engines over (total of 12) and I'd never go back.

I use Digitrax empire builder and to be honest the hardest part was installing a decoder in a P2K SW9. Digitrax doesn't make a true-plug and play decoder for them so I tried a decoder from NCE (which wasn't plugin play either) 2 hours and a bunch of soldering later it worked fine. Digitrax does make a GREAT (true plug and play) decoder for P2K GP7's & 9's "DH163LO" no bulb replacment what so ever, takes the better part of 2 minutes to install, program and get rolling

So to sum it up, converting was EASY. If you have blocks set up then it will make signaling all the easier in the future. Installing the decoders into the SW9's was the hardest most time consuming project yet. Beyond that I'd reccomend it to anyone.

[Anonymous]

After seeing how well DCC worked at my LHS, I knew that was the way I was going to go. I have one HO layout that has cab-control, and while it's nice, I would like to make my layouts all DCC, from the locomotives, right down to the signalling devices. It would be nice if I had the bucks (and the space) to computerize the system so that when I send a train down a particular track for a particular destination, I can let the computer handle the switches.

I'm not "pressured" into wanting DCC, I see it as a great way for me to control more than one operation at a time. I am somewhat frustrated at times by the lack of DCC-friendly locomotives out there, but I'm glad that there are 'workarounds' for all of them.

I've run DCC in N-scale, I have a very beautiful (in MY eyes!) Norfolk Southern SD80MAC from Kato in HO. I lack the decoder for that, but it's a simple drop-in decoder that's not all that expensive even for the full-features of the decoder (Digitrax, by the way.)

I plan to buy a Digitrax Empire Builder from my LHS, not because he's cheaper, but because he's generally given me good advice on my purchases and he's been extremely generous with his layaway policy. He has offered my choice of freight car from his "premium" display case, all because I helped with a computer problem at his shop. The help I gave certainly wasn't worth the cost of the car, so I declined his offer because he operates on a shoestring budget, anyway. He's helped me, so I figured it wasn't too much for me to help him.

Why Digitrax? I like the design of the controllers, plus, I have the software and cabling for my Palm PDA that enables it to function just like a Digitrax UT2 throttle. I'm not putting down the other manufacturers, I just prefer to go with what I already have.

[AntonioFP45]

Hello Fergmiester, [:)]

You're right, no need to feel obligated other than to have fun! [;)][swg][tup]

Don't feel that this poll is about "Gestapo-Like" pressure to cave in to.
No "Got to Have It" gurus here! I also find them annoying!

As I've indicated in other polls, most of our budgets are tight. (By the way, basic DCC decoders are now available for $18! Prices are dropping like flies! )

There's absolutely nothing wrong with traditional DC cabs. The Suncoast Model Railroad Club in Largo, Florida operates successfully with DC cabs, though the club will be switching over to DCC in the next year. Impressive layout! 70 car HO unit trains with 5 locomotives pulling are among the spectacles! Worth visiting if you're ever in Florida. Go to: www.suncoastmrrc.com

Basically DCC is doing today what DC cab did for model railroading decades back, opening new doors for creativity and operation on a different field. That's all.

As I stated on another thread, I was 100% anti-DCC! I felt no need for it and it was too pricey! A simple demonstration by a no pressure TCS rep, a gentleman in his late 50s won me over! He let me run locomotives on his DCC demo layout. Totally independent control, turning lights on and off, total control of sound effects, and three head on collisions!!!!! [;)][:D][:)][:p]

[Anonymous]

After having a layout with several electrical switches working different things, it became too confusing and frustrating to be fun.

[Anonymous]

I only have 5X9ft with a couple of extensions. I have never considered going to DCC. If someday I get the room to build a bigger layout then I'll consider going to DCC.

Thanks,
Jeremy

[Eriediamond]

Having read the above replies, I have to say I agree with 99.9% of them. Am I going to convert to DCC? won't say never, but no intentions of doing so now. Hopefully the price will come down to be more affordable in the future. A statement was made that comparing DCC to cab control years ago. I disagree only in that cab control didn't drive the price up of the rest of the equipment. I'm not anti-DCC by no means and welcome all the new technology being developed today and have little doubt DCC will be replaced by something newer years from now. It seems the aim of manufacturers is to produce "DCC ready" products and this is where I have problem. DCC people say, and rightfuly so, that they are not forcing DCC onto us that by choice, choose not to use it. They are being completely honest in saying that, but we non-DCC people are being forced to spend the extra money to buy locomotives with the extra electonics installed, that we won't use at what cost?? Thats my only "beef" about DCC. In this sense, yes DCC has influenced my model railroading.

[CP5415]

I have no intentions of going DCC. Unless I win the lottery.
The layout I'm presently building & re-inventing as I go, I don't have the need for DCC.
I have 35 locomotives & the list is growing. To convert to DCC would break the bank account.
I know of the bonuses of DCC, I also know that I don't have the patience to solder boards into Athearn locomotives.

Gordon

[BRAKIE]

I have 6 locomotives out of 97 DCC/Sound equipped..The other 91 units will remain DC for club use...
I am just wondering how long DCC will last before a new and improve method comes a long that will replace DCC and one will sooner or later as technology improves.

[CNJ831]

Talk about a tyically DCC biased poll! Nine choices for replies but not one for the guy with a DC layout that thinks DC is just fine and plans to stick with it.

I've had DC layouts for a quarter century. I've seen several DCC layouts in operation. I have no plans whatever to change over. And the way the poll is rigged I am unable to cast any meaningful vote.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

CNJ831, There certainly is an option for you up there: "Keeping my layout DC, but I'll keep the DCC option open". An option can remain open until the end of time! I have the "option" of running both on my layout and plan to keep it that way. You could have cast a meaning full vote by simply stating DCC SUCKS! That's what you'd want the poll to say anyway, right?

I like my DCC! It's much less expensive then you uninformed folks seem to think.

[Anonymous]

I'll have a 4 by 8 foot layout with a small extension within a year. All locomotives are going to be DCC equipped and evetually Soundtraxx equipped. I'm thinking about using the Digitrax Zephyr system. (nice name to go along with my favorite road, Digitrax!)

[memsd]

As soon as my wife removes a few items from the room, I'll be starting on an L-shaped 8x12 layout. The majority of it will be DCC (DigiTraxx) with a route that I can isolate and switch between DCC and DC (I'm still trying to work out the details). That will allow me to run any of my locos whether DCC equiped or not.

[johncolley]

I am really impressed with the engineering in my two BLI E-7's and I'm looking forward to getting the switchers soon. The hard part for me is deciding how many of my existing DC locos to sell to put the money into converting the others to DCC/sound. I know I will keep my Stewart FT foursome and maybe one or two others, the GP-7's. I am modelling GN in the late '40's/early '50's. Most of my locos that I part with will be later than that period, so that helps me choose. The biggest thing I have found is that DCC and sound make me want to operate realistically instead of just throttle-jockeying.

[AntonioFP45]

CNJ831,[;)]

Thanks for the input. [swg][tup] There is a category I've added that you might feel comfortable with voting now.

As for bias? I am pro-DCC but it's not my intention to try and "shove anyone's face into it. The intention is to see what WE; a cross section of modelers, feel about getting into DCC. Plain and simple. We're all still modelers. There should be no more friction between DC and DCC modelers as there is between N scale and O scale modelers; virtually none! [:p][:)]

In essence; there's plenty of room in the basket for Apples and Oranges! Both taste great! [:D][^][8D][8)][:)][;)][C=:-)][C):-)][swg][tup]

[Anonymous]

NO

1) I can't afford it and my experience with cab control at my friends layout has been good.

2) I'm just barely getting my own layout started (two years after entrance)


This is not a knock against DCC but I don't think its affordable for what it does.

[CNJ831]

AntonioFD45 - Thanks for reworking the choices and providing one that fits my take on the situation.

Unlike what deschane wants to infer from my earlier response, I have nothing against DCC. If you like it, that's fine with me. However, and in spite of the fact that I am quite familiar with DCC, I find no particular advantage for its application on my layout and I am certainly not alone in feeling so. I would remind readers that DC remains the choice of around 80% of all hobbyists and MR itself has indicated that Cab Control is likely to remain the hobby's chief operating system for quite some time to come.

CNJ831

[mls1621]

When I first started planning to build a layout in the early 90's, I had planned to build a simple 4 X 8 N scale spaghetti bowl. I had read some articles about DCC, but didn't think it was in my future.

Then I met my neighbor down the street and expanded my view of what a layout could be.

At our first meeting, his layout, N scale, was an "L" in his garage with staging behind the short leg of the "L".

The big eye opener for me was how he was able to operate using DCC. Once I started running my analog locomotives on his layout in conjunction with his decoder equipped units, I was sold.

Working with him, we expanded his layout, changed some features that reflected the spaghetti bowl principal, and created something that we're both very proud to show at every opportunity. The layout now encompasses most of his two car garage, with the steel mill nearing completion.

In the meantime, my layout plans increased to an "L" shape measuring 10 X 14.
I had been acquiring motive power and rolling stock for several years and finally decided to build something previously unimagined by me. I have a two track mainline with cross overs and a reverse loop. Six tracks of hidden staging behind the scenery, the shortest of which is twelve feet long.

The real magic of N scale for me is the ability to operate trains that more closely resemble the prototype. My longest frieght may only be 45 cars, but it looks great moving through the mountain scenery as I tried to represent Northern Utah.

I purchased a DigiTrax Super Chief, which some may think of as over kill, but I was looking toward the furture and didn't want to be bothered with a need to upgrade.

Now that the bench work is done, all the track is layed, wired and running, I look back and consider the decision appropriate.

I can't imagine trying to operate the layout by any other means than DCC. The flexibility it provides is light years ahead of anything using DC alone.

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[vsmith]

No interest in DCC

Operating DC, Atlas control blocks, manual switches, and a AristoCraft Basic Train Engineer and I love it. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hmm, nothing on the poll that I could vote for either. The Hairy Otters has 4 DC cabs and I am certainly interested in computer operations but I can make no sense of DCC1 or DCC2. DCC3 seems to finally be a useful development of Command control but it is a bit pathetic as outlined in the new NMRA standards. Now that the dudes at MTH have put the kaibosh on feedback it looks like the useful part is still going to be missing. Without feedback it's just a fancy remote control.

It's not like an embedded system with an IP address is difficult to put together. Yeah yeah, it won't fit in a locomotive without spending lots of cash but it will fit in a tender or box car and it is free of proprietary restrictions.

All of the so called advantages of DCC 1&2 can be achieved easily and automatically using electronics with the exception of head on collisions. I have no tolerance for this behaviour on my layout. A computer in each train however can prevent that from happening, the train can know where it is, how much fuel and water is still on board, where the other trains are, set turnouts and signals and of course unlimited light control and sound, mp3's anyone. Panning and tilting the onboard camera would be trivial, not the nonsense that I have to go through with RC. The train will know which monitor to use for video and which for engineers info, timing, orders and lists.

How do-able is this? Certainly within my reach, resources and abilities.YMMV. I had a look in my train room and figure if I had to purchase at retail all the parts used in my DC system I could have bought a few DCC systems. Getting hold of old used electronic parts for free or little cost is trivial.

One more thought, a few DCCers seem to think they need the system to get a reversing loop to operate automatically. I have a circuit that uses Atlas snap relays that accomplishes this task for about $10.

[Eriediamond]

I hesitate to reply again in that I don't want people thinking I'm putting down what others like and can afford. However I would like to point out that dispite all the advantages I see with DCC operations and all the replies saying "its not that expensive", some of us are on limited incomes, tight budgets and what ever else limits spending on our hobby. Some people buy a new Cadilac every year and some have to buy a used Chevy every five or six years. Yes, the Caddy is a more comfortable car and perhaps more classy, but both the Caddy and the used Chevy get you from piont "A" to point "B". I've looked at the cost of DCC, the locos, the electronics to convert them, the "boxes" required to power them and find that the expence to convert vs what I want my layout to do doesn't warrent spending the extra money I can't afford. Please don't put me in the catagory of putting DCC down as some tend to do because I don't want it. It's just a case of DC supplying my wants and needs on my layout that DCC is not necessary for me. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I was interested in command control since I first read about GE's ASTRAC system way back when. I think that was even before the phrase "carrier control" was coined and it has now been replaced by "command control". I have had the pleasure of operating on a couple of the old analog carrier control systems and I now have DCC on my layout. All have been enjoyable. The cab control layouts I have visited have also been fun to operate. I like the freedom DCC gives you, but DC is still plenty good as well.

Ed

[Anonymous]

Now that I think about, DCC is a bit overated. But, I guess it'd be fun to use 2 locos at once at different speeds, or have one stopped and the other going. It's a pain having to take the pick-up wheels of the loco off the track, if you want to keep it on the track while you run another.

[AggroJones]

My layout is too small to warrant DCC. It is an expensive device I really don't have use for. Being able to control multiple engines on the same rails, sound, lights, and whatever is not a priority to me.

[dragenrider]

DCC hasn't influenced my railroad...yet.

I would love to have light and sound control, but I can't afford the change. I have too much invested in my current fleet of slow geared Athearns and radio cab control set up. At this time I can't justify the expense. That, and I don't feel like messing with all the tiny wire soldering and light bulb changing. [V]

I did see a drop in harness for Athearn which allows the 8 pin plug to fit. That would make if easier! [^] If I ever start over, I will try DCC.

[conford]

Running trains under command control is more fun for me. I have to think about things a little differently due to DCC, but I'd never go back to running trains by throwing toggle switches. The hobby has plenty of room for different scales and methods of controlling a locomotive.

Regards.
Peter

[simon1966]

I am building a moderate basement sized layout. I have 2 young sons and without doubt plan to use DCC. So far the main line and a couple of industrial spurs are constructed. I have devided these up into sub districts ready for DCC, but can use them as simple blocks with my current DC controllers. For me, DCC offers the simplicity and logic for the boys, but will provide me with techncial challenges for signalling and PC control and other computer applications. I am concerned at the cost of converting my locomotive fleet, which is one of the reasons for not going DCC right away. Too much ca***ied up in PECO turnouts to think about getting DCC just yet!