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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
A thing it seems several “old timers” overlook (on purpose?) is most (if not all) DCC systems will run non decoder equipped trains as well or better than a straight DC pack (pulsed DC). One can plug the dcc unit in place of a current “cab” and use it as a they would a dc pack. They can then still flip all their switches and run their new fangled DCC loco and/or their old locos at the same time too. They act like it’s an either/or change, but it’s not. Example: Replace cab 1 with DCC on a 2 cab system. You can run 1 dc loco plus 32 or more dcc locos on cab 1 plus 1 dc loco on cab 2 all at once. Sure you can wait for wireless (it is already here). But then you will say you are waiting for the new shrink ray that will let you drive them yourself. As to brand, wow, that’s like what brand of beer tastes better. or is less filling. Ask your hobby shop what he/she has and buy that knowing you will most likely be able to get help. I use MRC prod for that reason only. PS, I’m 45, is that old fart enough? FRED
I have engines that run well on dc, as Flee pointed out, these dc engines will run on DCC.
However I am looking into one or two engines with DCC to assist in yard work or way frieght.
30 years for me, I am kind of stubborn and DC will never die. However, I am working on incorperating the best of the hobby. The main constraint is dollars. So, I plan carefully months ahead what I will do. (Except at the annual train meet, I sometimes bring home items unrelated to my “master plan” he he)
Good Luck
Lee
I’m not an old timer ( I’m 12 years old ) but I am currently considering using DCC. I don’t have a laoyut yet but I think it will be an Oklahoma version of Ian Rice’s Hollow Run Railroad in his book "Small, Smart , Practical Trackplans " it is 4x8 with a hole in the center that is accessed by a gate. I think I will also add a 2x4 extinsion. if I do get DCC I will still have a DC power pack as I do not want to convert locos that are not DCC ready. could anyone recomend a very simple DCC system ? I am currently considering an Atlas system or Bachmann’s newly announced system.
Been in the hobby for 48 years,DCC is what we dreamed about for decades.Who in the world would stick with DC is beyond me.Expensive?,sure,do you have to change everything overnight?,of course not! I still run feeders to every 3 sections of track off of buss lines,and jumpers across those joints on those three sections.So someone tell me what’s the big problem converting old layouts.I’ve always overwired my layouts,like wearing a belt and suspenders! It gives you trouble free operation.This is a new and last layout for me, and as far as wiring goes, it is being done the same old way except for those few differences required by DCC.Let’s see,I can go into or out of a reverse loop without a gang of electrical switches to throw,and in and out of the roundhouse with no switches,all locos can run in unison,steam and/or Diesel! If money is a problem,MRC,I think they’re reasonable. Wait !,I think I’ll toss out my DCC and go take my battery out of the old DeSoto,after all that’s how they used to run model railroads! I’m just having some fun with you die hards,but really,this is what old timers really did dream about,in fact DCC exceeds our wildest dreams. Hey!, how come you guys have computers,telegraphs always worked well.Oh-oh,I’d better get otta here,I think I see torches and pitchforks coming over the horizon.Just have fun anyway you can,even if you do have to keep refilling those kerosene lamps.OK,OK,I’m going!
Coalfired comments about the DeSoto battery reminds me of visiting the Amish neighbors layout, they use 1/4" scale locos powered by sticks and water because they don’t use electric. Ever see how they get on the internet? http://www.mystique.net/amish.html has one of their secret laptops. I have a 46 Desoto that I built into a street rod, see it at http://www2.mo-net.com/~fmiller/fred.html …FRED
went to dcc when i built my 4th layout, having recently retired and relocated i am now on #5, continue to use dcc and very pleased with the flexibility it offers. Incidentally, I am farther ahead with this layout after 1 year than I have ever been. Retirement----------- I love the freedom of choice.
I guess 30 years qualifies me to answer. My layout currently under construction is dc, but I did get MRC’s Command 2000 to experiment with. If I like it, I’ll convert. It’s not that critical in my case, because I planned my layout to minimize block switching.
Enjoy
Paul
coalfired,
No one is coming at you with pitchforks and torches. I enjoyed your post. I was reading about Linn Wescott’s article about radio communications via CDC in a train room. I believe it was written a long time ago.
DCC is a wonderful thing indeed. I suppose the next step is to have the engines learn the layout and simply download a assingment wirelessly and take off about it’s duties. This may happen in 10 years. The thought of sentinet model equiptment takes me back to Space 1999 and “Hal open the cargo bay doors”
Lee
They built a Metrolink train depot across the parking lot from our club’s building. We are very sure our ancient building will soon be upgraded or destroyed for new construction. Thus the 1978 era DC transistor throttle walkaround controls may find a new home. Many think that is the best way to go. None of them pulled the wire and installed the controls and relays. Few of them can maintain the DC system. We are still using the temporary 2 bus set up that we installed to get going. We always seem to search for the last switch to get a stalled locomotive moving. DCC seems more complex to the members who do not repair our current birds nest. DCC seems to require the re-equipping of all their locomotives at the same time so they can run on the new layout. The unknowns are just too scary to contemplate!
I am going to convert to DCC with the capability of running DC if I must. This 72 year old modeler is not going to spend more hours under the track bed routing wire while the “not-so-dumb” innocents run trains. If you start from the zero dollar and look at the costs for a new layout, DCC wins; it will cost less for the club and the members to run trains! It is the new technology. Look to the future for the fulfillmernt of your dreams; remember the frustrations of the past and get away from them.
Lindsay
DCC is getting better all the time but there’s a lot of maturing to do. It’s not as easy as the industry lead us to believe. Pop the shell, drop in the decorder with a standard NMRA plug, program the decorder and THROTTLE UP. Sounds easy, like changing the batteries in your TV remote control and power up.
From posts from other modelers the installation could be a lot more user-friendly.
Having gone from HO to N when moving house, I’m building the new layout as if it’s going to be DCC. At present it’s DC. Converting locos shouldn’t be too much of a chore as I’ve only 3 that matter, and one may not stay.
How long in the hobby? I got bitten by the OO bug in England at school in the 1950s, and then had a reinfestation in about 1975 when my daughter asked for a train set for Christmas.[:)]
Dave,
I’ve been in the hobby almost 50 years! In a nutshell, I probably WON’T be going DCC on the new basement filling dream layout I’m planning. BUT…I firmly believe DCC or some variation of it is the wave of the the future, and basically just the way it will be done someday - period!
So my advice to you new guys is go with the future!
Sure,DCC is fairly expensive and if you get hooked on sound,do some serious budget planning.Aside from cost, the “addition” for me was fairly simple.My DC railroad is dectected and signaled.I use rotary block selectors so the addition of DCC only required wiring it to an open pole on each selector.Now I can run DC or DCC .