ModelRailroader.com Reader Poll -November 13, 2003

[nfmisso]

I am running DCC, and my purchase descision is entirely made by whether the model fits my era/location. A DCC socket is a nice to have, but adding DCC to a locomotive is not that difficult. A sound system is really nice to have (like BLI).

[eastcoast]

DC for ME. I run Tech II 2500 power packs cab control.
I rather prefer not to have a DCC compatible engine. I do
have some but will probably never have need for the circuit.

[Anonymous]

I really prefere a DCC ready engine. I've done a couple of "interesting" ones (Rivarossi 2-8-4 and a Mantua Camelback) that really challenged my assembly/disassembly skills. I'm glad I did them but wouldn't do it again. Now ask me about changing lights so they work in DCC--it's a real pain figuring out the correct resistor without milliamp data (which isn't in the instructions) and melting a hole in a shell isn't what I want to end up with.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely! DCC, the future of model railroad operation, is here today. I started in the Hobby in 1948 and missed out on Astrac. Always yearned for a system such as DCC, now we have it.
Ross Meyer
President
Minnesota Northern Railway

[gwjordan1950]

As of right now, I don't have any of my engines ready with DCC. I do own 2 that have the plug for the DCC unit.I have run several times at a quite large layout wtih DCC. It was a SUPER experiance!!! Their is nothing wrong with either of the kinds of operations. If you enjoy DC ops., that's great. I do enjoy this operationas well as DCC> In the future, my engines will be equiped with the the plug installed or have everything in it. I am goig to change over my power to DCC. I own alot of athern, some Genises, and some Bach. Spectrum. As the time goes, they are improving the Chips more and more with the funtions their offering getting to numerous to say. It's a Great set up, for the people who want it. If you don't, that's what is Great about our country. We may do what we like, with in the limits of the Law!! Good nite and Happy Model Railroading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GWJ.

[Anonymous]

I am not inclined to use DCC and have no intention of going that way in the future. I've reached the point in my life where the additional cost of a DCC board in an engine will not cause me not to buy the engine but, for a lot of people, a DCC board is superfluous piece of addotional hardware that can lead to a decision not to buy based on cost. Let's not price young people out of the hobby by offering them (read that forcing to buy) more than they can afford in order to obtain quality running stock.

[Anonymous]

No!

[Anonymous]

When I first went into DCC (Digitrax) about a year and a half ago I had sold off my equipment. When I went back in I first acquired some used engines (LifeLike FAs and GPs). Then I bought a couple of Bachmann 2-8-0s. (Bachmann's 2-8-0 accommodates a decoder very well).

The LifeLike units had to have the decoders hard wired in and the bulbs replaced. LifeLike has good detail on their engines and I wi***hat they could make them more ready for DCC. Maybe the newer Proto Steam engines are more ready for DCC than my older diesels, I hope they are!!

[Anonymous]

Bergie asked about a DCC plug, not DCC equipped. I read in different forums all the time where non-DCC literate types confuse the difference between a DCC equipped loco and a DCC ready loco. Bergie's question was about a loco being DCC ready, not equipped. If you run DC, clearly you don't care, but if you run DCC you do care. If you are in N scale, you might care a lot.

So a DCC ready engine (or an engine equipped with a plug) means a decoder can be installed by any dummy (like me); it does not mean the engine is decoder equipped. So in my case I'm trying to figure out why a guy into DC would care whether an engine came equipped with a decoder plug, it doesn't affect DC running and doesn't affect the cost of the engine, except ever so slightly.

[Anonymous]

I don't bother anylonger with locos that are not sound equipped and Dcc ready

[JoeUmp]

Amen to rsn48

[Anonymous]

Ditto that Amen to rsn48.
I proposed this very question to Bergie a few weeks back because I have recently heard a backlash against non-DCC ready engines. Folks literally taking them back to the store because they were not equipped with a DCC plug. I thought I was hearing things! Were talking HO engines here at that! I can understand the n-scale gang wanting plugs, but HO?
I'm a guy of average (if that) intellience, with some basic tools, 2 large thumbs, and enough knowledge of electricity to know how to hurt myself. I've never given a rats butt if an engine has a plug pre-installed or not. If I want to run a particular type of engine, I just find a way to do it. Now after about 5 years with DCC, I've put decoders in everything from Spectum 44 tonners to HO brass, Atlas, Kato, Athearn , P2K and others. I've got to tell you, you CAN do it too![:D]
Hey, here's an idea for MR! Either include with DCC corner, or make it a separate feature, but take 1 engine a month and install a decoder in it! After 2-3 years of articles, you can publish a book, and make Kalmbach even more money!! [;)]

[Anonymous]

I voted no, but given the choice between having a DCC plug or not, I'd pick not.

[spken]

I definately only consider locos with DCC socket. Although I have wired several decoders in without any problems, life is to short to waste time when a simpler & quicker way is available.

spken

[vw-bug]

No. I do have enough ability in me to be able to wire for decoders, it ain't rocket-science.

[Anonymous]

I voted no on this poll only because I do collect brass steam locos of my favorite road and I have yet to purchase one that came with a plug ...... I consider it a plus if it is "sound ready" so that my installer has a bit of an easier time of installing the decoder/s and sound unit. My RR is fully Digitrax equipped and when we have open house every November for National Model RR month the look on kids faces (both big and little) when that GS4 goes rolling by with coaches in toe and blasting away on the wonderful whistle is worth the cost! And if we are to grow our hobby this IS the next logical step and I for one say "it's about time!!!!" As for my diesel fleet ..... it does matter if there is a plug. I won't buy it if it isn't plug ready.

[Anonymous]

I'm currently building my HO layout and yes, I am going with DCC because of the simple wiring and the ability to control each locomotive. I consider price, dcc status(ready or equipped) and manufacturer when purchasing new locomotives. I believe the price is the first consideration. If the locomotive is not dcc equipped or dcc ready, then I expect the price to be lower than if it was dcc equipped or dcc ready. Second is manufacturer. I beleive the quality of some munufacturers to be less than what I want to put on my track so I will not buy from them,at any price. So, I prefer dcc ready but will buy dcc equipped if the price is right. I will buy a non dcc locomotive only if I can convert it to dcc for less than cost of the same locomotive dcc ready.

[Anonymous]

This hobby of model railroading is all that helps me keep my sanity (yea, right!!!). However, being on a fixed disability income since 1993, I have to save for what I want and be careful of what I spend. However, the majority of my equipment (electrical) was purchased pre-DCC, and therefore, any equipment following will be the same. Therefore, it really makes no difference to me if a power unit is DCC ready or not. Sorry all you DCC lovers, but as for me I don't care.

[Anonymous]

I have a point to point at home with Digitrax and belong to two clubs that both have Digitrax layouts. I am electronix chalenged, so I will tend to look for a DCC plug equiped loco when shopping. HOWEVER, if there is a have-to-have that does not have a plug I will buy it and have a capable modeler install the hard wired decoder. Like a lot of modelers I know, I have more locos than I could ever use at once on the same layout, which has been pointed out by the family budget coordinator (spousal unit), so I only buy locos now when there is a have-to-have out there, like a CNW RS1, and stick to converting the ones I have to DCC. An article in Model Railroding about year ago had an excellant article on converting Athearn engines to DCC. It had pictures of every step of the process and easy to follow text. (Idiots guide to DCC, I call it) I wi***here were more such well done articles on other nonplug types. Most of the instructions for DCC installations seem to assume that I know what they are talking about when I don't. Enough rambling on already!

[Anonymous]

I'm just now getting back into the hobby, not having been involved since I was a kid. The train hobby can be very expensive so I don't want to make significant investments and then find in a few years that I've got to do it all over again. DCC looks very exciting. The added realism it offers can't be underestimated. The disadvantage of course is it's cost but that will come down (look at the price of computers). To the extent I can buy gear that is at least DCC ready, as I can afford improvements, my gear will at least be compatible, minimizing future 'rebuys'.

Chris

[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.

[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

[Anonymous]

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

[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]

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)

[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

[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

[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

[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]

[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