My little layout is just good old analog DC control, one of my brass diesels has DCC/Sound in it to run at a friends house that is totaly DCC. The big club layout here in town is strictly DC with block control and CTC dispatching. The dispatcher has control of all mainline turnouts, only the yard and towns have local turnout control. Mike
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
For me, it's pretty much what Dr. Wayne said. I model Rio Grande standard gauge steam, which means that 95% of my rather large fleet are brass imports, and it's too expensive at my age to convert them to DCC. Plus---I'm never running more than one train at a time, and I keep close tabs on it with my walkaround throttle. I have a Controlmaster 20 which has more than enough power to run double headers and double-headers with a pusher, if need be. Like Dr. Wayne, I'm not very fond of steam sounds from tiny speakers, so I have an under-table sound system that I can use (or not) as I see fit.
I have absolutely nothing against DCC, but my Yuba River Sub is a one-man, one-train operation. Like Dr. Wayne, if there are multiple trains, one is always in a siding or at a station. Works for me.
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!
As many of you well know, still DC here on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL. For those who don't know me, a brief explaination of my system.
Advanced Cab Control with Aristo Craft Wireless radio throttles.
Progressive push button cab assignment allows full walk around operation/control.
Fully intergrated turnout routing and control with "X sections" to cut the number of "blocks" in half.
Detection, signaling, CTC and Automatic Train Control on the mainline.
In total the system is a hybrid cross between Ed Ravenscoft's MZL control, Bruce Chubb's orginal signal/CTC system, and some ideas Paul Mallery proposed but never built, with wireless throttles thrown in for good measure.
Way more complex than DCC, but it supports multi train operation with a dispatcher an no "block toggles" to flip.
Here are a few pictures of a version of the system I built for a friend:
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A lot of the track power routing is controlled automaticly by turnout postions.
Trains cannot overrun their assigned "block", they will simply stop if they do.
The Aristo throttles provide pluse width modulated speed control just like a DCC decoder. Constant lighting circuits light cars or headlights before the train moves because the PWM signal is full voltage as soon as you crack the throttle, put is pulsed for motor control.
No decoders, no speed matching - most all trains are pulled by 3-4 MU diesels or double headed steam, often of mixed brands with no problems.
My loco fleet includes about 120 powered units to support about 30 staged trains when the full layout plan is complete.
For my personal modeling goals, signaling, CTC and the ablitly to operate the layout with a group of operators, or by myself as a display layout, are all features that out weigh the few additonal features DCC would provide at considerably higher expense.
The cost of good decoders alone would nearly equal the cost of building my whole control system including signaling and CTC.
Disclaimer - I have no interest in onboard sound in HO, if I did, I would likely have DCC - And, my signal/CTC system and the turnout control system are fully compatable with DCC.
Sheldon
I run DC and have no plans to go DCC. Though I have no objections to the technology, I'm just not especially impressed by it...onboard sound even more so. However, my primary reason is cost. I have 110 locomotives...5 of which are DCC equipped. 4 by the factory and 1 by a previous owner. 3/4 of the locos are Athearn BB with original motors and some of those are pushing 40 y.o. The signalling system I intend on starting this summer will be analog.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Old school DC user here (50/51) and will remain. Three cab control with 3 CM20's, double track mainline throughout, no return loops on same track, my five yr. old grandson can operate it...but He likes running the DCC w/sound engines I have. Very easy to switch to DCC if anyone ever wanted, but not in my lifetime, one operator can run the whole thing by himself. Just one large dogbone..8 1/2x30x61/2 has been cut down from a much larger one from the early 80's, the sections given to my one of my Son's for His Son's.
One of three control panels,with handheld's, you can follow your train if you want. This one is a little dirty, cause I am working on the whole area, easy clean with windex and blue dust free shop towels. Made from Lexan plastic which swings down for access, backside is painted, front is smooth with Automotive pin-stripe tape, which is 25yrs. old and not one problem.
Take Care
Frank
Long time DC user here, although I've never had a layout with block control for multi-train use. Since I've always operated alone, my layouts have always been set up that way - my thought is that any train in motion should have an operator controlling it. I do run multiple trains, but only one moving at any given time. The others are in passing sidings or staging, and operation, when the all of the track is in place, will be sequential in nature. Wiring is very simple, with the ability to kill power on select tracks. I use a walk-around throttle which keeps me close to whatever train happens to be moving, and with pulse-width modulation, speed control is very similar to that afforded by DCC. It has plenty of power, too, and most trains are doubleheaded, occasionally with a pusher, too. The sound feature of DCC never held much appeal for me - while that for diesels is quite realistic, I'm not all that impressed with steam sounds, and my road is almost all steam.Were I starting again, I doubt very much that I would change: what I have works well for me, and is simple and inexpensive.
Wayne
Me, can't afford to convert all of my Loco's, too lazy to take them apart and re-solder them, already have to replace the lights on all of my Athearn (ahem...). I built my new layout with 3 seperate DC loops: 2 freight and 1 passenger. PS I've heard sound at train shows and it just doesn't grab my wallet.
Mine doesn't move.......it's at the station!!!
Put me down as DC and I plan on staying there.
I feel alot like Herringchocker,dc and electricity in general I have always understood but electronics is another creature and I am not comfortable with it.
My three Controlmaster 20s and wired controllers serve the LM&E quite nicely and I am satisfied with that.
Johnboy out.........................old school, I guess..
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
I run DC because my layout is small and there is one train with one locomotive doing all the work.
I run DC cab control due to the large number of older locomotives on my fleet and my limited budget. However, upgrading to DCC is definitly on my bucket list.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
When I built my current layout, I set it up with "blocks", used the Atlas conrols, and I gapped both rails, and wired feeders accordingly, as I knew I would be switching to DCC. When I switched over, I disconnected the 2 power wires from the DC power, and connected the DCC power, and off I went. I could easily go back to DC just by disconnecting the DCC and connecting the DC.
Locos set up for DCC can be converted back to DC with the jumper plugs. Unplug one and plug in the other.
My signals, and misc. building and accessory lighting, is totally seperate, and I power them with DC, so I can control the brightness.
My You Tube
I have DCC, not installed. I run everything DC--after reading, almost daily, "Yeah, I put the blue wire where the red one should have gone, and burned it up", or " only the lights come on, but it won't move, or,"I turned it on, there was a POP, then lots of smoke", I decided to not switch over--It has taken me over 60 years to learn to create the challanges that I do, I don't think I want another skill set. DC has it limits, be the first to admit, but I understand it.
herrinchoker
I recently returned to model railroading after being away from it for 35 years or so (took a little break:). Obviously my previous experience is all with DC. Getting back in, I have made the switch from HO to N (due to space limitations). Since I am starting from scratch in N, I am purchasing all new equipment. I am going DCC. I can understand the reluctance of someone with a lot of existing DC equipment to make the change, but starting out it seems to make a lot of sense. Plus, I enjoy the technology aspect of DCC.
In the end, both DC and DCC get trains rolling, so it all comes down to personal preference. One is no worse than the other.
Doug
I think Rich is right about the three categories. I am one of those old school guys who made the jump to DCC a few years ago. I had hesitated for years because I thought the shift would be too complicated as well as expensive. But I found out changing the layout to DCC was as simple as adding a double throw switch to shift between the two systems. Over time I either converted old DC engines or sold them off and added DCC ones as funds became available. Now I am all DCC and use the DC power pack to power switches and accessories. While I was content with DC the increased flexibility and options with DCC have made the modeling experience even more enjoyable.
Marty C
I was modeling DC block control, but those tiny little 1:87 block cab selection switches got to be a pain as I got old and shaky...
Nothing wrong with DC, especially if you've got an investment and the built out infrastructure to support it -- and a limited hobby budget. You don't even need to make excuses for why you still just do it the olden way.
If you price out switches and wiring these days for a new installation, you might find DCC is not so out of reach, though. Copper ain't cheap and Radio Shack is pretty proud of their switches nowadays (although you can obviously find 'em cheaper).
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Seems to me that there are going to be a number of different camps here, the newcomer DCC guys, the old line DC guys, and those DC guys who make the leap to DCC.
I started out briefly as a DC user early on when I picked up HO scale in January 2004 but quickly converted to DCC. Anyone new to the model railroading hobby should seriously consider DCC for its ease of use and greater flexibilty.
I have known a few old line DC guys who made the jump to DCC, but not all that many. Too much time, expense, and labor built into their DC layouts to make a costly conversion to DCC.
My late brother-in-law was a DC guy for over 30 years and was intrigued by DCC, but just couldn't bring himself to make the conversion to DCC. Quite frankly, for him, it was just a lot more fun and challenging to operate in DC.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hey, toss my hat in here too! Too big of a collection to switch over now. And the cost of doing so would be unfathomable. Atleast according to my paygrade. (Even if I was just starting out I would skip DCC because of its prices).
I am concnered though, about this. As in todays market, the drive is towards DCC. Understandable. But my worry is how traditional DC products are going to decline, or dropped all together (maybe?). I dont see this happening to a large degree, yet. I do see boxes with "DCC ready on them".
One day i fear that will read "Backwards compatible with ADC". Now I have enough trains to be happy (cant believe i said that!) but when i started buying DC trains, not much was available in my roadname.
Today there are about twice as much (still aint much!), but they are in the DCC capable realm. My other worry is that as things DO become available for my road, these wont be DC anymore. Thus limiting me once more on having what i need.
Is it survivable? Probably. Is it foreseeable? It seems to be happening. Outcome? Staying with "DC" - not making the change here.
PM Railfan
I started my home layout twelve years ago. I asked a tech savvy twenty something modeler what he knew about DCC and he siad he didn't understand it.
I went block control, with three wireless throttles/power packs.
At 67 years old it is not worth it to me to convert twelve locos, and buy three controllers to be able to continue operating sessions.
The fellows that come over keep coming back, so something must be right.
Dave
Just wondering who has "Non-DCC" equipment and hasn't made the change.
If you have lots of older standard DC equipment, it doesn't make sense to upgrade by shelling out many hundreds of dollars for DCC trains and modules, unless you are free to spend on non-essential hobby items, rather than survival supplies.
Maybe DC is not so realistic but it served the old veterans of Model Railroading for decades.
The litle 2" speakers just don't give me the thrill like a real train anyway.
Just saying!