Newbie DCC question

[okiechoochoo]

Trying to decide between DC and DCC. First. let me explain I can barely run a computer. I sure can't program one. I can't even figure out how to program my DVD/VCR recorder. How simple is DCC to learn. Are some systems simpler than others. I will have a small layout, probably about 5X9 and no more than two trains running at once. Is DCC worth it or should I stick with DC. I have looked at Digitrax but also noticed the MRC Prodigy Advanced advertised on the back cover or MR. It says it is for those less expereienced. What is some advice you might give. I don't want to get frustrated with it. I come from a toy train backgrouind, such as three rail Lionel, but never tried the command control they have now days. Thanks for your responses.

[SpaceMouse]

Certainly with very little learning curve, you can be up and running in a few minutes with DCC. For a small layout, wiring is the same, if not easier than DC. As for programming, it can be as easy or complex as you want it. Like with a computer, if you can turn it on you can run it. You can make it run better if you work at it, but in the end, basic stuff is easy.

[tstage]

Okie,

From what I can surmise, it looks as if you have your 5 x 9 already wired up and going with DC. Have you looked at any books on DCC? Kalmbach Books (MR) makes a good one called DCC Made Easy by Lionel Strang. It really simplifies DCC into easy concepts, without going into a lot of heavy electronics. Good reference book. Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com) also has a good section on their web site called "DCC For Beginners!" that's a good reference also.

I highly recommend DCC. I bought the Bachmann EZ Command System for about 1/2 price in order to try out DCC, without having to commit a substantual armount of $$$ into it. The Bachmann, plus 2 decoders and replacement LEDs for my locomotive's headlights, cost me about $100.

My layout is only slightly smaller than yours (4 x 8) but I can run 3 locomotives at the same time: a Athearn 2-8-2 Mike, a Stewart VO-660 and Proto 2000 switcher. The Bachmann is limited in what it can do but the programming is very straightforward. You just can't beat running two lomomotives going in the opposite direction, on the same track.

Okie, do some more research before committing to buying a system. Each one has it's pluses and minues. The Digitrax Zephyr would be a good choice. MRC PA does have the nice handheld LCD display. Although not mentiond very often, CVP EasyDCC (http://www.cvpusa.com) is supposed to be a very good and reliable system, plenty of support, and, as the name implies, easy to operate.

Hope that helps...

Tom

[MisterBeasley]

DCC is the best thing to happen to the hobby in a long time, in my opinion. As others have said, with DC you run the track, but with DCC you run the trains.

It does not require any computer knowledge whatsoever. I found the installation very simple, and the manuals for my Lenz system were very easy to follow. DCC is definitely more user-friendly than VCR's ever were. Also, it greatly simplifies your wiring task because you don't need to isolate blocks to run multiple trains.

[scubaterry]

Don't let perceptions scare you away from DCC. It may seem formidable and complicated but as SpaceMouse said you can make it as easy or as complex as your skills allow. I never have used DC so I can't speak with any authority on it but from what I have read and heard it takes more wiring and switches to get a DC layout up and running than a DCC layout. Most DCC systems as well as decoders are good to go out of the box other than setting an address for the loco. There are numerous books, articles and online help to get you up to speed. Just do your homework and ask lots of questions before you buy your DCC set to make sure it will deliver what you want now and in the immediate future as your skills increase.
Terry

[rrinker]

Avoiding the brand issues - there are many more learned people in this hobby who say things like "DC is dead, go DCC". I fully agree. In fact, I think DCC is MORE important on the smaller layout - to run multiple trains on a small layout requires small blocks, and at some point it becomes a huge nuisance. On a huge layout where the blocks are longer, it's not nearly as much of a hassle running trains. DCC really shines on a small layout.

OK, and as to WHAT DCC - if you already have one or two DC power packs, then the Digitrax Zephyr will, out of the box, allow control of 2 or 3 trains, not just 1. The DC packs connect to the Zephyr to give speed and dirction control for 1 or 2 additional trains. No one else offers this right now.

--Randy

[jnichols]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MisterBeasley

DCC is definitely more user-friendly than VCR's ever were. Also, it greatly simplifies your wiring task because you don't need to isolate blocks to run multiple trains.

This is obviously a post from a man who has never tried to calculate bit switching for Soundtraxx DSX series decoders... [%-)]

No seriously, DCC may have some areas where a little intelligence is required, but for all intents and purposes it is a great way to run trains. Also remember, you can make DCC as difficult as you want it to be. Many of my older friends simply set an address on their locomotives and run them, and for many that's all you'll ever need to do.

Jeff

[MisterBeasley]

QUOTE:

This is obviously a post from a man who has never tried to calculate bit switching for Soundtraxx DSX series decoders... [%-)]

Well, I'm a computer geek, and even with today's compilers and debuggers, there are still days when I spend hours hunting through HEX dumps. (Used to be octal.) Still, I've never tried Soundtraxx decoder programming.

However, it was several months before I got my VCR to record on a timer, and I had my DCC system up and running in a half-hour. VCR's really aren't all that bad, but their manuals are terrible, and they leave out little steps like "You must turn the VCR off before activating the Timer Record function," or "Timer Record just doesn't freakin' work if you don't have a good clean signal on PBS for synching the clock."

In contrast, the Lenz manuals are straightforward, step-by-step cookbooks with words in clear, grammatical English. Lenz is a German company, so I would expect that the verb at the end of the sentence come would. That, fortunately, is not the case.

[Anonymous]

I think I may be able to explain the Lenz English-language manuals - the ones we get over here have "With thanks to Mackay Models" or similar on the first or last page. Mackay Models are one of the big Lenz/DCC experts in the UK and produced a readable translation of the manual.

DCC is easier to program than almost any consumer electrical appliance - when I install a new decoder I just have to place the loco on the programming track, test it by reading back CV1, program CV1 with my chosen address, move the loco to the running lines then dial it up. Once loco addresses are set changing between locos (and activating functions) is as simple as changing channels on TV.