It was suggested, and so here goes...
So we don't bother the DC folks and crash their party, we can chat here about DCC and how much fun it is.
I like the fact that I can run any number of trains in any direction I want without flipping switches. I also like the fact that I can access sounds with my throttle. I know they're starting to do that in DC, but I still like it.
I mostly like the fact that I'm running the locomotives and not running the track.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
This has been a sensative subject on this forum in the past. Watch out, the DC snipers are watching. They are waiting for you to point out that DC is not perfect and then they will jump all over you. Just a warning.
Mike Tennent
There is a good debate between Paul Cutler and another gentleman who owns a hi-tech firm on the historical limitations of DCC over on the Atlas forum....it is worth a look to hear what others are saying.
Go Digitrax!
We have a 20x40 foot HO scale club layout that was designed from the very get-go for operation either way, because we didn't have a DCC system when construction began. For the first two years, we ran everything on DC block control.
Because of the complexity of the trackwork, we needed 5 control panels full of toggle switches -- over 200 of them; and 10 plug-in walk-around DC controllers and 10 Cooler Crawler circuit boards behind the control panels for DC operation. We knew that we would eventually have a DCC system, so provision was also made on each control panel to switch between the two modes by flipping a switch. A toggle switch on the central power supply selects whether the layout is receiving power to the DC or DCC system.
After the DCC system was installed and club members began to see what it could do compared to DC block control, everyone wanted decoders installed in their locomotives. When sound decoders became available, many wanted sound decoders installed or began purchasing engines with sound on board. Today, no one wants to run in DC mode except to test run a new engine prior to decoder installation.
We are now saving up to purchase wireless DCC throttles to replace the tethered throttles, and are even considering the eventual removal of the control panels and DC throttles.
cacole,
Thanks for the observations. Our club is on the verge of buying a DCC system.
A little history - 4 years ago we got tossed from our old location, a NS freight station, and had to cut the exisiting layout into pieces. We relocated, believe it or not, to an old chicken coop.
It was longer and narrower than our old site, but using CAD, I cut and spliced what I could of the old layout to fit. We actually ended up with about 150' more main line, but lost a beautiful trestle bridge that just wouldn't fit anywhere. Anyway...
The old layout had a complete two Cab system and control panels, etc. When we moved we salvaged the panels that controlled the yards, but never went back to a dual cab system. Except for the capability of local control of two yards, it's one big block. At our meetings, it's pure roundy-round. Guys bring in their latest buys and run them. We'll put a couple of trains out, but there's no individual control.
Fortunately, there are some operational types (we're a small club) that want to do more, so we've saved up enough in dues to buy a DCC system.
One thing I'm adament about is that we accomodate both DC and DCC members. Initially, this will probably mean we run DC on the old club nights and set aside another time for DCC operations. Some of us have a mix of engines, so we'll be set for both nights.
I suspect (hope) that as time goes by, DCC will become the standard, but I also respect the fact that some of the guys have a lot of engines that they can't afford to convert, so we absolutely have to make sure they still can run as freely and often as possible.
Our primary hurdle now is picking the system. Some guys want to buy DCC for their home layout so we're taking that into consideration. Common throttles at home and club would be ideal for them, of course.
I'll post more as we progress.
PS: Everyone does know that my first post up there was tongue in cheek, right?
RIGHT?!?!
Dave, great idea, I get tired of hunting all over the threads for certain subject matter on DCC specifically.
As for those who are in love with DC, all of us older folks started with DC, and when DCC came out, I didn't need an invitation. It is obvious to see the advantages of DCC, and how much more we can do to operate as close to real life as possible at this time. When battery technology catches up with microelectronics, then we will have power packs in the Tenders or Diesel locomotives, and that will be a great day. It is coming to a railroad near you soon!
I want to also point out that for years, we needed to send and receive morse code at various speeds in order to qualify for advance Radio Amateur licenses, now, finally after many years, the FCC has dropped ALL code requirements. So, it does take a long time for some old dogs to learn new tricks...sometimes......a lifetime sadly.
grayfox1119 wrote:Dave, great idea, I get tired of hunting all over the threads for certain subject matter on DCC specifically.
Yahoo has some DCC groups for different DCC systems and one group for all systems. Go take a look. If this is the only forum used for DCC, your vision is limited somewhat. I have twenty six bookmarks for DCC info and belong to four different Yahoo groups concerning DCC. Do a search on Yahoo or Google for DCC and you will find a lot of information and other DCC forums.
rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
DCC Club how appropriate, My club is now just switching over. In fact, we just got our NCE system last night and have it up and running in a limited fashion. I will keep posts going on our progress here and if we run into some major issues I will be sure to report them.
NHRF
Sign me up!
I just purchased the Digitrax Super Chief system and still need to set it up.
Oh..... I forgot.... I need to have my track finished first....
Still working on putting down my lower deck track first, then I can test out the DCC.
Great thread Dave. Hope to learn a lot in here!
BTW, are there any dues to join the DCC "Club"?
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Ijust dove headlong into DCC for the first time yesterday. I went to the LTS and purchased a NCE Power Cab system, NCE decoders for my P2K GP7 and Genesis F7B, and a MRC Brilliance sound decoder with speaker for a Genesis F7A. I installed the decoders for the geep and b unit and played a little last night, and am floored. DCC is great!!! I took a bit of a hiatus from the hobby and left when it was DC cab control. I couldn't see going back to that now. It was a bit daunting at first, but once I settled into it, it is a lot of fun.
I am going to install the Brilliance in the A unit tonight, and am looking really forward to that.
I like the idea of a DCC specific forum, great work!
I made the jump to DCC last year while my 4x8 HO layout was still up. At that time I plugged my MRC Prodigy Express into what was CAB B on the layout so I could continue to run both DC and DCC equiped locos until the time when I could convert all of my fleet. No worries, I took my DC or DCC locos off the layout based on which method of control I was using at the particular time.
The 4x8 came down in Nov and I'm now in the process of building my new 12x10 layout which will be all DCC from the get go. I'm wiring the whole thing as one power district as it's not really all that large and there won't be more than two operators running at once due to space. I'm down to two DC locos left to convert and they aren't high priorities, an old Athearn PA1 that I aquired 2nd hand at a show, and the first run release of the Proto2K BL2.
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
There is a forum for DCC. This tit for tat is rather childish.
Layouts and layout building (2 Viewing) Benchwork, wiring, DCC, scenery, track, and more
richg1998 wrote: There is a forum for DCC. This tit for tat is rather childish.Layouts and layout building (2 Viewing) Benchwork, wiring, DCC, scenery, track, and morerich
Your opinion is as valued as any other's. It may even get feedback!
I wasn't looking to do "tit-for-tat," but rather to help the DC folks by drawing us DCCers out of their hair.
If that seems childish, rather than diplomatic, then so be it.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Page, pointing to the DC Club - "Sire, the DCers are revolting!"
"Oh, aren't they just...?"
jeffrey-wimberly wrote:I use a Bachmann EZ Command system so I guess I have a bare bones DCC system. I love being able to run the trains without having to control the track and I also like being able to run my DC locos at the same time. It gives me the ability to play in both worlds. Someday I'll upgrade to something better, but for now it works well.
I'd say that makes you one of us, Jeff!
OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.
I have an original Big Boy, no upgrades of any kind, and one knob is missing off the controller.
I just received an A-A set of Genesis F3-A’s. I know that they come with MRC decoders and most likely I will replace them sometime in the future. My question is: what CV’s do I need to adjust to get them to run better together? In MU mode the one unit runs away from the other. I assume that the procedure has something to do with speed tables but I cannot figure out which CV’s and what I should change them to. I do have a digitrax system.
As for DCC or DC, I started out in the early 70's in DC, just got back into the hobby (last year) and was amazed at what can be done with DCC. So this time around it was DCC all the way.
Thanks a bunch!
Michael Click Here to view my photos at RailPictures.Net!
My Photos at RRPictures.Net: Click Here
MTennent wrote: OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.I have an original Big Boy, no upgrades of any kind, and one knob is missing off the controller. Mike Tennent
Original MRC Prodigy. Will be replaced when there is enough layout to really run on. For now it lets me make sure I got decoders installed ok, and test a little bit.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Vail n Southwestern RR wrote: MTennent wrote:OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.I have an original Big Boy, Original MRC Prodigy.
MTennent wrote:OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.I have an original Big Boy,
Texas Zepher wrote: Vail n Southwestern RR wrote: MTennent wrote:OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.I have an original Big Boy, Original MRC Prodigy. I've got an MRC-2000 (Well, two of them actually).
I have upgraded to a Digitrax Zephyr, butI still have my MRC Command 2000 and walk around controller. I may use them on a seperate layout for the kids.
MTennent wrote: OK, let's see who has the most "dinosaurish" system.
I've got an old copper-top power pack, dual-control, that I bought in the late 50's. I'm also using an ancient Lionel transformer, which dates back beyond anything I could find in a quick web search, probably pre-WW2. In true irony, I use the copper-top to drive my LEDs and the CD circuit for the turnouts, and the Lionel relic drives my Lenz 100.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have DCC too.
But, I have had more breakdowns, cursed at more companies, have spent more money, than I would have probably had if I would have stayed with just DC.
I keep telling myself, "keep it simple, dummy!"
Will I ever learn?
And, of course, it is too late to go back now. The Love affair is too great, no matter how much I hate it, or the greif that is involved.
If I keep going here, you will begin to think that I am talking about my wife.
Better shut up- whoops here comes my wife- send- hurry -sendsendsend
A post further up asked the question of how to change the speed variables such that engines will run at the same speed. I've been wanting to work on this as well. I havn't yet found out how to change the settings such that in a consist the engines all run the same speed (even if same type of engine from same manufacturers).
If anyone can explain this in an easy fashion, I would greatly appreciate it. i have Digitrax but i don't think the system should matter in this regard. I tried using the big book of DCC to figure it out, but alas, I must not have enough tech skills to even figure it out with the book.
Thanks
cpeterson wrote: A post further up asked the question of how to change the speed variables such that engines will run at the same speed. I've been wanting to work on this as well. I havn't yet found out how to change the settings such that in a consist the engines all run the same speed (even if same type of engine from same manufacturers). Thanks
I have good succes in speed matching my locos unsing only 3 CV setting, I am also a Digitrax user.
CV2 start voltage, CV6 mid and CV5 max, be advise Lenz decoders do not support CV6.
To speed match 2 or more locos, I take the slowest one and adjust the start voltage so it will start moving at step one on the throttle. Then the rest are adjusted so they all start moving at the same time. That takes care of CV2.
Adjusting CV6 and CV5 is best done on the main it is a matter of try and error until all engines run close to each others.
Hope my poor English makes sense, RRinker or Simon66 or TSTAGE could better explain how it is done.
Jack W.
Thanks jalajoie I'll definitely try the CV2 and CV5 to see if I can make some improvements. I don't plan to change the ones that will be used as helpers, but in consists I think it should make a difference.
Do any of the computer DCC interfaces make this an easier process?
Hi guys, my layout currently is still DC but I'm rarin' to cross over to the DCC side. Fact is, I planned to do so when I moved to my current house 7 years ago. I bought a Digitraxx Chief starter set (Super Chief did'nt exist back then) and it's been mothballed for all these years. [I hope I can still use it...?]
What's been holding me back is the dread of trying to equip all of my 35+ analog locos with decoders. Then I noticed the following:
MTennent wrote:... One thing ... is that we accomodate both DC and DCC members. Initially, this will probably mean we run DC on the old club nights and set aside another time for DCC operations. Some of us have a mix of engines, so we'll be set for both nights.
If that can really be done, I may be closer to DCC than I think. But I also remember reading somewhere else that flip-flopping a layout between DCC and DC modes is impractical if not impossible. Mike I sure hope your'e right, because I'd really like to be able to do the DCC thing gradually instead of all-or-nothing...
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)