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

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by johncolley
The biggest thing I have found is that DCC and sound make me want to operate realistically instead of just throttle-jockeying.

Have you found any sound units that have the engine sounds related to the load of the locomotive rather than the track voltage? I've been able to simulate this by programming the sounds to run one or two throttle steps above the motor speed control but that only works for stopping and starting. It doesn't crank them up to pull a grade. While creeping up a steep grade my diesel engine is just idling instead of blasing guts out like it should. The other solution is to use two throttels simultaniously, but then I am back to running the layout rather than the train.

[Anonymous]

I didn't see it as one of the choices, but for me it would be using DC now, if money was no object sure I'd be DCC. But for now I'm trying to build my "N" scale empire out of quality components at a great price. That means buying up excellent MRC power packs that people are dumping on Ebay or locally because they went DCC. Buying Atlas controllers and switches for 25 cents on the dollar at shows, again because it's old school. I have 7 engines and only two are DCC capable. 2 are probably out of the question, and 3 could probably be converted. But right now I don't even have the time or money to convert all of them to Kadee type couplers. I'm wiring with many drops and quality wire, terminal blocks etc so one day I can just throw on all the blocks and hook up my DCC. Thanks, Dave

[Anonymous]

I keep hearing about how expensive decoders are in this thread. Is it a matter of more features, or just outright quality. I've seen decoders advertised for under $20. Add a Bachmann EZ-DCC or a used MRC and I could have 2 engines rolling for about $125.00 Is this feasible or would I be buying a bag of cheap trouble ? Thanks for your experienced input. Dave

[Anonymous]

Dcc control is what really brought me back into the hobby.I got really tired of keeping up with block switches and wiring.Realistic operation and now sound.Maybe the Train God must of fried a couple transformers switching polarity,thought up dcc and sent it down for the multitudes to enjoy.How ever it came about it has been a well recievied boost to the hobby.Wireless control and the ability to go where your trains go while keeping them in control,watching that favorite engine transverse a set of switches head on .Instead of from the back or side while one hand is glued to the transformer and the other on the block switch.Long live DCC atleast till something better comes out.

[cmurray]

I started off with analog Command Control with PSI's Dynatrol back in its infancy. When they developed DCC that was compatible as an add-on, I went that route too. Since I liked the DCC aspect so much, I totally converted. I haven't looked back!

DCC... it's the only way to go!

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mmartian22

hi is there any other companies besides soundtraxx that makes sound decoders

Much better sound is available from Pheonix.
http://www.phoenixsound.com/bs2k2/bs2k2.html

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpaulsen

I do not have DCC, I built the CTC16e system from a series of artcles in MR many years ago. I still use this system and it works flawlessly. .... My imagination will have to make the brakes squeal, make the compressor pump, ring the bell and blow the whistle. Looks like planned obsolescence has made a quantum leap into model railroad control systems.

Don't give up on sound so easily. CVP produced a newsletter about two years ago that showed how to tap the power off a Railcommand system for an independent sound system like Phonix's. Railcommand is the same as your CTC16 except for the value of ummm resistor 12 or 13. The sound part should work the same. I used the output of second decoder to control the sound.
http://www.cvpusa.com
http://www.phoenixsound.com/bs2k2/bs2k2.html