ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll -November 13, 2003

[Anonymous]

I enjoy figuring out whre to put the decoder and wiring the thing up. I find it's just another part of the fun. If the loco I wanted had a DCC plug, that's fine too!

[Anonymous]

I am new to this hobby and have wondered what DCC was. I kept coming across DCC this and DCC that. To make this simple I work with technology and love it, so a little wiring is not problem. If DCC is whats going to give me the opportunity to do more with my layout, there is no way I would want to buy old DC engines. I vote for the ready engines because I would want to decide the decoder that serves my plans. Thanks

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I just have to wade in again on this. I've read too many posts from people into DCC trying to convice others that it's the only way to go. The rest of us will just have to stock up on tissues to offer them when it turns out that DCC is dead and that on-board battery power using wireless/radio contol for every engine is "the only way to go" - no track wiring at all and maybe no wiring for signals, turnouts, etc. It's already a reality for On30 (On2-1/2) and with the rapidly increasing pace of battery miniaturization it's only a matter of time (I'll hazard a gues at about 5 years) until it's workable for HO and maybe for N scale too. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and don't count your chickens before they hatch..........

[cmurray]

Because I use Dynatrol DCC, I prefer locomotives NOT to have built-in DCC plugs. What I would consider more important is that the motor be electrically isolated from the frame. Those who have commented that wiring for DCC is too complicated should realize that with DCC you can make it as complicated or keep it as simple as you want. Personally, I use the DCC decoder to drive the motor only, requiring only 4 wires to be connected: two to the motor and two to the track. DCC really beats DC when it comes to operation.

[jjbmish]

I'm just starting to build a new layout and even though it will start out DC it will eventually be DCC. But my purchasing of an engine will not be determined by if it is DCC ready. If I like an engine, I will get it no matter what. LOL
John

[Anonymous]

Even if I can't afford DCC yet, I still want all my new purchases to be as technologically advanced as possible. The more DCC is integrated across all aspects of the hobby the more the price will come down and the EASIER IT WILL BE TO USE, (just like anything else). It's all very exciting... control, sound, operation. Why would anyone not want to have the most advanced equipment as possible (If you don't, I've got a box of old locos I'd be glad to sell you).[:D]

[Anonymous]

I'm curious... do the guys with a stud of 100 + locos run them all at the same time ?
Would they even be running 20 at the same time ?

My point is - If you like DCC but can't afford to "chip" everything, then don't !
Look at your roster, decide how many locos you're ever likely to run at once, and there's the number of decoders you'll need.
The secret is to fit harnesses to the remaining locos and change out the decoders as required.
With dummy plugs fitted, the remaining engines are both DC and DCC ready !

I doubt that DC will ever be the non-event that the DC proponents seem to fear that it may be.
Nobody wants anyone to feel dumb (funny, because I reckon that cab-control is a lot harder to figure out for the "average Joe" and more hard-work than DCC - that's my electronic tradesman's perspective) or that an adoption of an "expensive" control-system will put the hobby (further?) out-of-reach of the economically -disadvantaged hobbyist.
The NMRA obviously had the foresight to ensure that a "standard" decoder had DC compatibility .
This means that when the time comes that it is more economically viable to produce just one version of a loco with DCC decoder fitted, there will be no impact operations for the traditional DC user.

The enthusiastic support for DCC comes not from trying to force the latest whizz-bang device down our throats, it's been generated by the 'freedom' experienced from 'driving the train, not the track'.
Once you've experienced that for yourself, it's not so threatening ;)

Cheers,

Steve

[JoeUmp]

To all manufacturers:

Adding a DCC socket with the appropriate jumper to all your locomotives, regardless of scale, will have all the bases covered in the DC vs DCC arena.

Joe

[Anonymous]

I run 100 percent DCC. If I have a choice between an engine with or an engine without a DCC plug, I would choose the one with a plug. My question is to the manufacturers would be "Why not put a plug in?" They don't want to be seen to support a brand, but, it is a NMRA standard plug. So equip it with and NMRA plug, and make a recommendation to the decoder or equivalent. It is the same with Kadee coupler - the pocket to receive the coupler is there, and they recommend the coupler number only.

[piinob]

DCC looks interesting enough, but..... I am just returning to the Hobby after a fifteen year absence. When I got distracted away from the hobby CTC-16 was about as complex as it got. The time tax of building your own, plus the limited funds assured that CTC-16 would remain very esoteric and high end. Now we have all these manufacturers competing woth products of obvious high quality and capability. I can see a lot of advantage in DCC for a club or very large home layout. But for a lone modeler like myself with a reasonably sized home layout, operating by myself most of the time it looks like an un necessary drain on my modeling treasury. Since returning to the hobby I have purchased several Books to get caught up on what has changed. Relative to the books I purchased in the '70s and early '80s, the quality of these books is extremely poor. At the same time the price has quadrupled. This necessarily makes me sceptical about things new and improved. Hence the value of DCC remains to be proven on my Railroad. I will buy engines that offer good value whether they be DCC ready or not.

[Anonymous]

Having been out of the hobby for a generation and starting again from zero I can see no reason not to go with DCC from the outset. If anyone has arguments not to I'd be glad to read them.

Randy

[vsmith]

My layout is too small to justify DCC, just use good old Atlas controls and a simple powerpack. Its 8' wide by 20' long but at G scale, that amounts to a micro-layout, just blown up real big.

DCC is only really usefull for multitrain operation, so its useless for me. I'm not knocking it, its just irrelevant to me.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't buy one without wheels, either.

[BurlingtonJohn]

I am against DCC for three simple reasons:
1. electrical related stuff isn't my bag
2. I have 100+ HO scale locomotives and the cost for conversion (decoders, headlights, etc and power supply) would be astronomical
3. I am really getting tired of the various model publications trying to ram DCC down our throats and seemingly viewing us non-DCC types as less than worthy ...

Regards & Everywhere West,
Burlington John

[Anonymous]

I won't purchase an engine these days unless it comes DCC ready.

[Anonymous]

To have DCC or not to have...hmmm. I think we limit ourselves when we become too rigid about what's acceptable and what isn't in the model railroading arena. The simple truth is that we should be getting maximum enjoyment out of the world's best hobby. Think of all you're missing by accepting only one brand of track...one manufacturer and no other...or one 'proven' method of building a layout. Embrace DCC; but don't overlook earlier, R-T-R locos w/o DCC either.

[Yampa2003]

No plug, no purchase. Though to be honest, I cannot see many companies these days manufacturing loco's that don't have plugs.
Better still, make them either DCC 'drop-in' or even DCC fitted.
Brian

[Anonymous]

i have recently switched to dcc from an old command control system. (dynatrol) . i have already purchased several locomotives with decoders in them. these units can also be run on dc. you just have to change a plug from one position to another. eventually most manufacturers will offer locos this way. my system is nce digital command control. it is relatively simple to program the equipment, its the cv's that can be tricky, but if you follow the instructions it's amazing what you can get your locos to do.

[Anonymous]

Since installing dcc on my layout, it has been a blast. I will never go back to dc. The dcc system is much simpler to operate multiple cabs. So to answer the original question, yes it does play a significant part in purchasing dcc equipped engines.

[dave9999]

Now that most loco come DCC ready why buy one thats not? Just because it has a DCC socket doesnt
mean you have to install a decoder. But the direction that DCC is going I think it is benifical to have
DCC ready loco's.I use DCC and I am well aware that many dont. But the future is here,roll with it.
Eventually, I think non DCC ready loco's are going to be phased out. The manufacturers will start
to make all loco's DCC ready so they will have both sides covered. I dont see them making two
versions of every loco, one ready, one not. Dave

[Sydney]

I like my DC. To try and convert my N-scale engines to DCC would be too expensive and the engines have not been manufactured to take the DCC unit, thus making them hard to fit, even if I wanted to. Keep it simple, I say.

"Sydney"
New South Wales
AUSTRALIA[8D]

[Martin4]

I do not use DCC yet ; but since I intend to do so when budget permits I prefer my new locos to have a factory installed DCC plug. I have at least 45 engines that someday will need to be converted ! Enough work to do already...

Martin
Québec City

[joecool1212]

I would love to have DCC but I have 100+ locos in my collection and I couldent afford the money or time to install sockets in all of them. My model RR is a major interchange and I prefer to run all them at various timed. I do have 5 locos with 8 pin plugs and one with a decoder installed. I would love to to use DCC but like most modelers the start up cost is to high. So if I like the model and its a high quality one I will buy it with or without it. Most good quality ho models come with a socket anyway. Joe

[Anonymous]

I think its exciting, and I cant wait to get dcc. I am not a pro at wiring, and it seems to me dcc is the wave of the future



london ont

[Anonymous]

Not that I have anything against DCC, which is starting to peak my interest, it's detail, accuracy, smooth running, and affordability that determines my "trend to spend". DCC seems to be a spin off that we will have the option of utilizing. The key word is "option" and hopefully the manufacturers will not take that option away from us.


Mr. F
Proprietor
The M.E.S.S.
(Musquodoboit & Eastern Shore System)

[asrothzeid]

If you have the money and know how to solder, then DCC is the way to go. I don't have either, so I'll stick to what i have.

[Anonymous]

DC DCC OR EVEN AC\DC IF I LIKE IT I WOULD BUY IT...

[preceng]

DC faithfull. Dual Tech II's, one for me and one for my daughter, do the job fine. If I like the Loco, and it has it, I will buy it. But the added cost is a nuisance

[BRAKIE]

Guys,I use DCC..I still prefer my locos come with a plug and not a decoder..The reason being I prefer the Digi Trax decoder or the Sound Traxx DCC/SOUND decoder.