A question for "Old Timers"

[dehusman]

Have been seriously modeling for 35 years. Went to DCC about 6 years ago. Would not consider going back. DCC frees your operation so much I have a hard time imagining how we operated before DCC. With DCC you just concentrate on driving the train and how the switches are lined. No worrying about the block or block toggles or rotaries. No hugely complicated control panels. My crurrent layout only has two "control panels" each about 6 " square, to control the switches in the staging yard. Other than that, fascia mounted switch controls and DCC.

[dave9999]

Thanks for the input. I have never had the pleasure of runnning a large DC layout. I would love to try
it one day. Dave

[dknelson]

I have not decided yet. What is holding me back is the conversion of my locomotive fleet which includes engines I am rather fond of, some for sentimental reasons, but which are not worth the cost of a decoder.
I operate on several command control layouts (one is not DCC) and the freedom is wonderful. There are real advantages and it is surely the future of the hobby provided soemthing even better does not come along soon. Myself I think in a few years people will laugh at the idea of being tethered by wire to the layout as everything will be remote control of some kind. In short there are benefits to converting to DCC now but there might also be real benefits in waiting a while. How's that for useless, fence-sitting advice? That is the risk when you ask an old timer a question....
Dave Nelson

[CNJ831]

I see no reason to convert. The DC system on my modest layout does everything I need it to do and changing to DCC would hold no particular advantages. I've run on some small DCC layouts and really wasn't all that impressed, in spite of all the hype it gets. Then too, DCC would be a far too costly conversion for me as I have a great many locomotives, many of which probably couldn't hold a DCC chip without a lot of work.

JB

[rogerhensley]

I won't switch. I have a 'mature' layout that is very 80s in design which numerous old locomotives and no intention to try to alter them for DCC.

That said, I highly recommend DCC for anyone starting out or starting over. The possibilities are fantastic.

[Anonymous]

I'm not.
But that won't prevent me from getting to HO Heaven:it will just take me a little longer to get there.

I have too much to convert but with two ovals I run five trains. That's enough
for me.

For anybody starting out my recommendation is to evaluate the merits of DCC.

More & more quality manufacturers are now including decoders in their locos.

[dave9999]

I am fairly new to the hobby ( about a year and a half). I have studied and leaned alot in that
time. I built a 4 x 8 lay out which turned out nice. Alot of scenery , mountains, trees ,etc...
But it was DC. Running more than one train was, to say the least, an adventure.
I decided to go bigger. Now I am working on a larger lay out and went DCC all the way,
I love it ! My question is how many of you "Old Timers" out there are making the move to
DCC? And do you prefer one to the other? just wondering.