I run dc. I know most everything coming out is dcc and people are converting over the older items to dcc whenever possible, but if it aint broke why fix on somethings. I have had lot say i need to go over to dcc but I am on the fence.
Sean, the unknown train travler,
A DC user here, for all the reasons mentioned above. However, I have nothing against DCC; the majority of my local fellow hobbyists are on DCC. For me, its a needs thing. With a small switching layout, my no-frills, old school system is just right. I'm using common rail block control (11 blocks in all), MRC Model 55 tethered throttles with 2 MRC Tech II model 2400 power packs. Works for me, but not necessarily for someone else.
DAVID FORTNEY I started this thread just because I wanted to see what others are running just DC. Anybody can respond but I don't like condescending responses that my way or your way is the only thing we should be doing Things. I like my trains running thru beautiful scenery, I don't do operations or use DCC. That is my decision and no matter what anybody says that is the way I will do it. If your doing something different, go for it and have fun, I know I am. Also also please be respectful of everybody's responses whether you agree with them or not. Also unless you have something to add to the conversation that is positive please post somewhere else. dave
I started this thread just because I wanted to see what others are running just DC. Anybody can respond but I don't like condescending responses that my way or your way is the only thing we should be doing Things.
I like my trains running thru beautiful scenery, I don't do operations or use DCC. That is my decision and no matter what anybody says that is the way I will do it. If your doing something different, go for it and have fun, I know I am.
Also also please be respectful of everybody's responses whether you agree with them or not. Also unless you have something to add to the conversation that is positive please post somewhere else.
dave
I agree, you can like/dislike which ever one you choose! I like my DCC layout and can fully understand those of you who like DC as that was how I started and I can still run my layout DC if I want.
My opinion is: Nobody really cares if you dislike one; or, the other! Follow your own interests as that is what this hobby is all about!
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
I run DC on my layout and on our Club layout. It would get kind of expensive outfitting all my engines.
Me.
IRONROOSTER ATLANTIC CENTRAL Not exactly - the radio control throttles we are talking about do NOT have receivers in the locos. It is just a wireless throttle connected to the track with a "base station" receiver. Sheldon Crest Train Engineer now has 2 systems. One using the base station, but another one that uses radio receivers in the locomotives - G currently available, HO is in testing with a beta set available. Enjoy Paul
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Not exactly - the radio control throttles we are talking about do NOT have receivers in the locos. It is just a wireless throttle connected to the track with a "base station" receiver. Sheldon
Not exactly - the radio control throttles we are talking about do NOT have receivers in the locos. It is just a wireless throttle connected to the track with a "base station" receiver.
Sheldon
Crest Train Engineer now has 2 systems. One using the base station, but another one that uses radio receivers in the locomotives - G currently available, HO is in testing with a beta set available.
Enjoy
Paul
Yes, I am well aware of all their products, and they have been used for onboard radio in large scale for many years, but most all the references to them in this thread are users of trackside versions.
BroadwayLion riogrande5761 How do you control multiple engines independantly of each other on the DC layout without separate electrical blocks and/or toggles or rotary switches? Radio control which is just another control system like DCC. LION has automated controls. 1 block, 8 trains, fully automated: No throttles, no reversing switches, just lots and lots of relays and resistors. Not a project for a normal model railroad, but then the LION *never* claimed to be normal. Him builds subway layout. Subways do not run backwards. Layout is designed for "normal operation" thus there is no flexibility built into the layout to allow for work zones, or other work trains blocking the flow of the passenger parade. I do have work trains, but they are run "at night" when the railroad is on a 30 minute headway, and even then the "money Train" or the "Trash Train" will get in the way of a pax train. So be it. This is New York City, what do you want for your dime? To live forever? ROAR
riogrande5761 How do you control multiple engines independantly of each other on the DC layout without separate electrical blocks and/or toggles or rotary switches?
Radio control which is just another control system like DCC.
LION has automated controls. 1 block, 8 trains, fully automated: No throttles, no reversing switches, just lots and lots of relays and resistors. Not a project for a normal model railroad, but then the LION *never* claimed to be normal. Him builds subway layout. Subways do not run backwards. Layout is designed for "normal operation" thus there is no flexibility built into the layout to allow for work zones, or other work trains blocking the flow of the passenger parade. I do have work trains, but they are run "at night" when the railroad is on a 30 minute headway, and even then the "money Train" or the "Trash Train" will get in the way of a pax train. So be it. This is New York City, what do you want for your dime? To live forever?
ROAR
I too use relays to automate turnout route control and cab asignments, operate signal logic and to allow redundent controls to be placed at multiple locations - several hundred relays.... Sheldon
I too use relays to automate turnout route control and cab asignments, operate signal logic and to allow redundent controls to be placed at multiple locations - several hundred relays....
riogrande5761How do you control multiple engines independantly of each other on the DC layout without separate electrical blocks and/or toggles or rotary switches?
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
ATLANTIC CENTRALBut once I tried the Aristo Train Engineer I was hooked on wireless - and on pushbuttons rather than a knob.
I never seen that system but,I do like the wireless DC throttle idea.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
ATLANTIC CENTRALYes the CM20 is a great throttle/system. But once I tried the Aristo Train Engineer I was hooked on wireless - and on pushbuttons rather than a knob. And the pulse width modulated motor control is superb. Even with a small layout, I would never want to go back to a fixed location or thethered throttle. Sheldon
I also tried the Aristo set-up and liked it....were I to be 15yrs younger, I would be using them. I'll settle for my three CM20's for My three cab control, double main line....I can when I want...sneak up on a train, running on one of the mains and jump off a siding and do some switching and never stop the mains running. I do it to the Grandkids all the time....Huh? They say...how do You do that? Funny part is, my youngest Grand daughter can do it....the guys are still learning. LOL I only use the CM20's to run the trains....everything else, has it's own power Trans. sply. I've been a lone wolf though....the kids, except for three are teens and college already out of the eight Grandkids....where the heck does the time go??
Take Care!
Frank
BRAKIE Ron High I run DC with cab control and Controlmaster 20s and other high capacity throttles. The CM20 is IMHO is the best DC system money can buy and I still have mine I bought in the early 90s and I still like the control and feel of its throttle. Oddly I tried the CM 10 back in the mid 70s and didn't care for it and yet it has the same abilities as the DCC CVs I use for engine control today..
Ron High I run DC with cab control and Controlmaster 20s and other high capacity throttles.
The CM20 is IMHO is the best DC system money can buy and I still have mine I bought in the early 90s and I still like the control and feel of its throttle.
Oddly I tried the CM 10 back in the mid 70s and didn't care for it and yet it has the same abilities as the DCC CVs I use for engine control today..
Yes the CM20 is a great throttle/system.
But once I tried the Aristo Train Engineer I was hooked on wireless - and on pushbuttons rather than a knob.
And the pulse width modulated motor control is superb.
Even with a small layout, I would never want to go back to a fixed location or thethered throttle.
DC here. Don't require fancy throttles, just plain MRC power packs & a bunch of toggles for me.
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
DC, for the most part. I use an Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless throttle to help me cover my 35 foot long layout. Since the layout is one big block and has 2 runarounds that are both used during switching operations, unused locos are parked on a stub spur and isolated with a simple on/off kill switch.
I use wireless DCC to run onboard sound locos, which I do in moderation, and adjust the CVs to about 35% sound level.
But silent running is done with DC.
- Douglas
Ron HighI run DC with cab control and Controlmaster 20s and other high capacity throttles.
I run DC with cab contrlol and Controlmaster 20s and other high capacity throttles.I have a lot of Hobbytowns as well as newer locomotives all DC only .I have a few Bachmann sound units that run on my DC. The sound is ok and a little entertaining until I get tired of it. I have run other sound DCC units on other layouts ,I think the sound is highly overated. I don't have the money or the time or interest in converting to DCC. I would consider DCC if I were just starting out.Very happy with my toggles, rotary switches and Controlmaster 20s.
Ron High
Another DC only. Three wireless throttles with manual block control.
Dave
I also am straight DC. Can't afford DCC nor the hassle.
I run DC via a Train Engineer setup though I have the stuff to convert 4 engines to dead rail that I can run at the same time.
DC here. Like several other modelers who posted, I have a large collection of brass locos (about the only way I can get representative power for the railroad I model), and it would take a major investment to convert them all to DCC. I'm happy with block control and plenty of power from my ControlMaster 20. I have a couple of sound locomotives, but because of the extra voltage required to run them on straight DC, I can't doublehead them with any of my straight DC locos. They're there just mainly to make the non-hobbyist members of my family go "ooh" and "aah" when they come down for a swim party and wander into the garage to watch me "Play with the trains."
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!
Back in the day, a system was created for advanced cab control. It was called MZL, which stands for master zone layout. Not sure if you have access to the MR archives but the FEB 74 issue has a article by the designer, Ed Ravenscroft with more articles to follow.
Jim
My layout is DC and totally Old School. Atlas controllers and block switches. No sound, it's a large if simple switching layout designed for one engine operations. The engines are all small 2 and 3 axle units. DCC just doesn't make sense for my needs.
Have fun with your trains
ATLANTIC CENTRAL My layout is DC, but there are no "block toggles" - imagine that! Actually the DC layouts of a number of those who have responed to this thread do not have any block toggles.
My layout is DC, but there are no "block toggles" - imagine that!
Actually the DC layouts of a number of those who have responed to this thread do not have any block toggles.
How do you control multiple engines independantly of each other on the DC layout without separate electrical blocks and/or toggles or rotary switches?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My point was simply that DCC is only as complex (or expensive) as you make it, the same is of course true for DC.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
zstripe Take Care All! Frank
Take Care All!
And, yes, this I totally agree with.
Baloney! If you would ever go back and read the original post, you would see that there never was a question as to which DC (or whatever) system does anyone use. Further, the OP asks if he is the only one who still uses DC. I presume that opens the door to comment from anyone who might use an alternate method.
And I've gone back and read all the previous posts, I believe pretty carefully. No one said anything about how good DCC was. The only comment was from someone who said what his experience had been. I guess that's not allowed, either.
maxman modelmaker51 I am a confirmed DCC user. Modelmaker51, I'm sorry that you took the bait on this topic. We should have just let the thread peter out.
modelmaker51 I am a confirmed DCC user.
Modelmaker51, I'm sorry that you took the bait on this topic. We should have just let the thread peter out.
Took the bait?
I have a thought, if there was a thread titled "Which DCC system do you use?", would it be appropriate for me to go into a dissertation on my version of DC MZL with wireless throttles?
I think not.
PS - but that door has never swug both ways on this forum.
I run common rail 2 cab control using 2 MRC 2400 Tech2 packs. I also have a hand held which can be substituted for one of the packs using a toggle.
Two loops allow one train to circle the layout while I can switch on the other main. 40 engines x whatever $$ for a good decoder is more than I want to spend as i do not care for sound.