andrechapelon Raises hand. I know this one. The answer is Sheldon (not the one played by Jim Parsons). Andre
Raises hand.
I know this one.
The answer is Sheldon (not the one played by Jim Parsons).
Andre
Andre--you forgot Tom, lol!
Just never got around to it, and though I've got a moderately sized layout, it's set in the mountain West where the main would only be handling around 18-20 trains every 24 hours, and I don't operate on a Fast Clock. Therefore, I only run at the most, 2 trains at once. I can handle that on DC. Were I starting over and having actual operating sessions with friends (I'm strictly "Lone Wolf"), I'd probably go DCC, but I'm not starting over, so I'm happy as is. Besides, when you've got as many brass lokies as I have, decoders and speakers start getting into stratospheric territory,
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
BRAKIE Geared Steam Neither, I went "Wind Up", cause I'm really old skool. It's heck to try to switch though. Is wind up better then a string? I use string for power.
Geared Steam Neither, I went "Wind Up", cause I'm really old skool. It's heck to try to switch though.
Is wind up better then a string? I use string for power.
You just have to make sure what string you grab, the train, or the duck. Quack Quack!
Frank
Geared SteamNeither, I went "Wind Up", cause I'm really old skool. It's heck to try to switch though.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
This topic seems to get a lot of people "wound up".
Neither, I went "Wind Up", cause I'm really old skool. It's heck to try to switch though.
Merry Christmas All
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
A large quantity of rather old HO locomotives keeps me from going the DCC route. No only do I not want to go to the trouble and expense, but some of the engines are marginal to begin with in terms of running quality. But I do recognize the many positive qualities of DCC and enjoy operating sessions on DCC layouts. I have to say also that a really well done DC layout with block control can also be very enjoyable and it may well be the case that some of the dissatisfaction with DC block control was caused by not working with it at its best.
For a time a decade ago I was intrigued by the claims made for an automatic block control DC system put out by an outfit called Signal Research, and I was almost surprised to see that that they still have an active website. http://signalresearch.com/index.html
But as far as I can tell their system is still hobbled by having just one controller, although they have added wireless since the last time I checked the site.
Dave Nelson
ATLANTIC CENTRALPS - one more note - I'm still using DC, DC with signals, detection, CTC, ATC, local and dispatcher turnout control, true interlocking, wireless radio thottles - how many of you have ALL of that on your DCC layout? I know, you will say you don't need or want all that - but I do - And I don't need or want DCC.
Sheldon,
Well, most of my layout is narrowgauge, so there's little need for signals, CTC, ATC, etc. Detection would be nice, but CCTV works rather well and tells me more about stuff I need to see, rather than just sense. I'm a fool for having that much hidden track, but it works for me.
More generally,
But, really, a two-page pity-party about the persecution of DC users? The victimhood fits like a hair shirt and is obviously just as itchy.
As a converted-to-DCC but still uses DC from time to time, it would be good if we all quit treating the DC vs DCC thing as something like politics or religion. Just because the other guy gets power to his train differently than you says nothing about your choices and your opinion there says nothing about the other person's choice. There's only reasons, some good, some bad, some just because folks are old and set in their ways. That's life, like anything else. Most of the choices we make have no moral value nor do they reflect on whether one is a "real model railroader" or not or whether the choices you made carry any weight with someone else and their situation -- although the tone some take in discussing such things is alternatively fraught with insecurity and superiority. It's not better or worse than anyone elses's choices, it's just you.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
And don't let the door hit you in your Christmas presents, on the way out!
tstage Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
And Happy New Year!
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
ATLANTIC CENTRALThey are ARISTO CRAFT wireless radio throttles -
Nice..Nay excellent control..I have used those before on a friend's layout and like them.
I have a 4x8 layout that models the New York Central in HO Scale. I use Bachmann DCC Dynamis. It is a great system and very easy to use. It works very well because I have a single oval and many sidings and spurs. But it was mentioned earlier in the discussion that is works in some situations and not the others.
My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/
"Where is Sheldon"
Generally, Sheldon has much better things to do with his time these days........
And again, just for the record, the throttles on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL are NOT MRC Tech anything......we are much more advanced than that.
They are ARISTO CRAFT wireless radio throttles - which the grandchildren are also using the run the On30 train around the Christmas tree as we speak.
If you want my opinion on this thread, just re-read what Fred W and Dr Wayne had to say - they covered it rather well.
Don't expect to hear too much more from me, I plan to spend my holiday playing/working with my trains - not reading this..............
To the OP - Lots of people still run DC, but as stated earlier, who wants to listen to this crap?
Sheldon
PS - one more note - I'm still using DC, DC with signals, detection, CTC, ATC, local and dispatcher turnout control, true interlocking, wireless radio thottles - how many of you have ALL of that on your DCC layout?
I know, you will say you don't need or want all that - but I do - And I don't need or want DCC.
Along those same lines and to quote Steven Wright: "I used to be into 'Save the Whales'. However, after you get two or three of those in your garage..."
hon30critter Couldn't learn to play the guitar either. Dave
A number of years ago I bought that tape and book to "Learn to play guitar overnight." The only problem was, I couldn't stay up all night!!!
Robert H. Shilling II
I run DC. I've considered setting up DCC as an operating option since my 14x19x13 'C' shaped layout is well blocked and DCC would install easily...but I've decided against it. The primary reason is the prohibitive cost of installing decoders in 73 locomotives and the need to remotor many of them for DCC operation. Then there is also the dealing with codes and programming...I have trouble resetting the clock in my car for daylight savings time.
I honestly think DCC is an awesome technology...for someone who has patience with it. I am not at all impressed with the onboard sound, though.
I currently power my trains with a pair of MRC 550's which came out during the mid 1970's. They work well for running smaller and lighter trains...up to 4 Athearn BB's and 40-50 cars. More than that the power packs strain and sometimes trip the thermal breaker. In the very near future I'll be bypassing the 550's tranformers with external, regulated, 150W (15V-10A) bench power supplies tied through the 550's meters and rheostats.
The rest of my auxiliary power needs (lighting, signals, switch machines, signal relays and control) will be supplied with salvaged computer power supplies.
Ah...and here is another reason to stay with DC. Since I've been a major scavenger, salvager, and dumpster diver for a good 35 years and have a room full of totes full of archaic electrical and electronic parts. What can I say.
For me DC makes sense.
Okay...I'm done. LOL!
Mark H
(DC...and proud of it!)
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
DC here also and don't think i will ever go to DCC but don't mind to buy locomotives DCC ready.
Russell
Get with the program, Karl.
Tech 7 is the latest and greatest.
Rich
Alton Junction
davidmbedardWhere is Sheldon?
Quick, call MRC, see if we can get his picture on some tech V boxes . BTW, what are they up to now,,,tech V, Tech VI ?? I stopped counting at tech II.
Karl
NCE über alles!
oops
I have to convert the Port Destiny Terminal to DCC . I plan to rebuild it this next year I will probly do it then . I have purchased a few DCC locomotives but the majority of my roster is still DC
I have a 20 by 30 HO scale layout. It is dc at the moment and I am debating wether or not to go dcc. I enjoy the building aspect more than running trains, but the grandkids like operating it. Someone mentioned building their own power supply. I would like to do that but need plans, so where could one get plans for that sort of thing?
Mike
doctorwayne rrebell I hope to eventually go dead rail. Ah! Live steam. Wayne
rrebell I hope to eventually go dead rail.
Ah! Live steam.
Wayne
Ah yes..Live steam..Love it but,out of my range.
Both DC 90% of the time DCC/Sound the other 10%..
That MRC Tech 6 is a great little power pack for guys like me that has DCC/Sound locomotives.A simple push of a button and I go from DC mode to DCC..
Its ideal for one engine "suit case" layouts or small one engine ISLs where sound will be used.
My layout is nuclear powered, so neither DC nor DCC matters to me. No bus wires, no feeders, no nothing.
I remove the sound that comes on DCC-equipped locos, because the buzzing on the rails would drown out any puny loco sound anyways.
I don't even have to worry about overhead lighting cuz the glow from nuclear power provides an overwhelming luminescence.
rrebellI hope to eventually go dead rail.
hon30critterCouldn't learn to play the guitar either. Dave
It's a lot easier, than learning how to play an Accordion.
I have a DC layout 15'x30' run by a Train Engineer system. I hope to eventually go dead rail.
I am still into DC, because DCC does not make any sense for my 1 train, 1 loco micro layout. The layout will be wired for 1 block, there will be 1 switch only and the loudspeaker for the sound system will be underneath the benchwork, and not in the loco.
Were I to build a larger layout than my little suitcase layout, I´d certainly invest into a DCC system, just because I don´t like wiring. Like with many other things in our hobby, the choice depends on the project your going for.
I'm still DC, for now.
once I get a nice career and a good house with enough space to model the SP&S in it's entirety(selectively compressed) I should have DCC by then.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader