Hi!
Lots of good postings here, and I can't argue with anyone. But, I will add my experience.......
I've been a DC HO modeler with layouts since the early '60s. Three years ago I decided to build a replacement layout for the 13 year old 11x15 two level layout I had. Being in my mid 60s, I realized the new layout might well be my last so I wanted to do it right.
The big question was to go to DCC or not. I did a lot of reading (Kalmbach has some excellent books) and asked a lot of questions on the electronics part of this forum. The most important thing I learned was DCC can be as complicated as you like, but it doesn't have to be.
So I built the new layout with DCC (Digitrax) and with all the stuff I got - including a couple dozen decoders, spent just over $2k. You do not have to do that to start of course.
I absolutely love the DCC operation, and am very glad I switched. However, that is not a put down of DC, for it served me well for almost 50 years.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Ther are two staunch camps: the DC camp, and the DCC camp, and never the twain shall mix! Those who have DC will tell you DC is the way to go, those who have DCC will tell you DCC is the way to go.
I am one of the rare ones..a CONVERT from DC to DCC!!! Here is why:
When I got back intothe hobby 6 years ago, I had some old 0/027 and some DC N scale form teen years. BUT I wanted HO always so I started buying DC HO.. Then I found out about DCC and decided for easier wiring I wanted THAT feature, so quickly halted all DC purchases and advanced to DCC. I LOVE it. Ilike the idea of controlling to loco ,not the track voltage!
1} On some DCC systems you can run one DC loco, so you needn't be worried immediately there with that. {mine has that}
2} As mentioned the old locos can be converted to DCC. If you can learn to do it yourself you have only some hobby time and a few bucks for the decoder to cost.
3} there are some nice DCC OnBoard locos for around $50-$100. I am on a very tight budger and have managed to aquire quite a roster.
4} There is also this new-fangled thing called Ebay auction site. There you can find locos of DCC nature that have been converted or came DCC equiped. They can also be relatively cheaper.
5} you can aquire a replacement loc say, once a year at Christmas to spread out the costs.
6} MAybe your brands of older locos are cheap locos that may have sentimental value but not good pullers? so maybe you want a "better" loco?
7}Some DCc systems {Bachmann's EZ COmmand, and DIgitrax Zephyr Xtra} are relatively inexpensive and can be added on to get more amps to run more locos as you progress along.
8} SOmetiems our eyes are bigger than our stomachs..meaning we want MORE than we can actually handle.. many on here will say that by themselves they really can only control 2 or 3 trains at once, so the need to have 15 trains is a moot point. You can, with your DCC system's amps allowable-or with extra amps, run a consit of a couple of locos on each, but still run 2-3 trains only.
9} The DCC systems can handle such extra things as controlling turnouts and track accessories too, so the expansion ability of the DCC sytem can be limitless.
So, don't dispair over the change.
GOOD luck and have fun again!!!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I understand I can get decoders to install but, all of my engines are Atlas and Athearn I bought new in the early 80's. Can you add the decoders to older engines like those?
Also (I mean no disrespect by this) Buchmann used to be a joke. They were considered along the same lines of Tyco. But, the line seems very popular and actually looks like quality products.
A lot depends on your planned operations.
If you're the type that likes to sit back and watch the trains run on independent loops then DC is fine. On the other hand if you want to operate multiple trains on the same track - starting, stopping, meeting, switching, sound effects, etc. - then DCC is a good way to go.
If you like tinkering with the engines you can add DCC. Basic decoders sell for $20 or less.
Good luck
Paul
Ulrich,
I get the impression that Eric thinks he HAS to replace ALL his locomotives for DCC-ready versions vs. installing decoders in what he already has.
Eric,
Unless your current locomotives are junk, you can retrofit a decoder into your older locomotives. You may need to isolate the motor brushes from the frame on most of them but...it can be done and will be a lot more economical for you.
Very good decoders can be had in the $15-$25 range. You could also get a starter DCC system that enables you to run a DC locomotive. That way you can still enjoy running some of your unconverted locomotives until you have a chance to install decoders in them.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Maybe you need to determine first if you "need" DCC. Not knowing what engines are in your roster, it is hard to make an educated response. I have been in HO since 1960 (first layout) so when the time came to make the same decision, I asked questions. I had a fairly large number of locos, the layout then like the layout now was a fairly large one, replacing the DC system with DCC as far as wiring, redoing it, so forth were all questions I wrestled with. Finally after a failure in the DC system, I bit the bullet. My layout is in a space 30ft by 33 ft, is three decks, I really agonized about it.
Then I visited a layout that had DCC and I was convinced. I installed NCE, removed all old wiring and replaced with new wiring, made the needed adjustments to track work, etc. That was in 2001. I have never looked back or regretted making the "switch". I was fortunate because my old wiring was pretty sound and really didn't require too much revision.
Today the layout is solid NCE-DCC and I enjoy it a lot more for operation than I did the old one. I didn't have that much trouble with the conversion other than installation of some decocders, but in that time period decoders were larger and fussier than today. The layout operates very well, and problems are few and in between.
That is my experience, others may agree or disagree.
Bob
There is nothing wrong in continuing to go with DC, if the cost of converting your "old" roster is too high for you. I can only recommend to take a close look at what you have got. Maybe there are some locos which are not that dear to you. Selling them could add to the funds necessary to convert the remaining ones to DCC.
Hi everyone, newbee here. I've been out of Modeling for about 20 or so years. WoW have things changed.
I am getting ready to build my first lay -out since then.
My question is, the advantages of DCC are very obvious but I don't know if it's worth the expense for me. Getting the start up system doesn't bother me. It's not being able to use any of my old engines. To replace all the engines I have would cost $$$$$$$$$$$$ and I would hate to have them and not be able to use them.
any thoughts
Eric