Anyone regret switching to DCC? If so why?

I think it’s regrettable in a creativity way, imagine all the time and energy going into a huge layout creating blocks and cabs and all the creative wiring on a dc layout. Now you can just buy dcc equipped locos, program and go. Model railroading has gone the way of many things in life now, conveinace

Yes but that ‘creativity’ in wiring umpteen toggle switches and miles of wire for block wiring has been replaced by a new creativity - prototype operations. Even with all the little tricks, half length blocks, momentrary toggles to give the siding temporary control of a small section of the main, etc, there are just some things you can’t do operations-wise with DC. DCC solves all that and allows you to run your trains exactly like the prototype. Accidents and all, if you don’t pay attention. New skills are needed - if you model pre-remote control days, when the helpers on a train had their own crew, now you can really do this. The helper loco can run completely independently, and with sound locos, the crews can even communicate via whistle signals.

–Randy

In the 1920’s there must have been a bulletin board arguing the pluses and drawbacks of that new-fangled electric starter! Batteries, wires, motors… Give me a trusty ol hand crank any day!!!
Well, technology moves on and we never look back. I am a recent convert to DCC and I can honestly say that it has renewed my interest in my layout and has brought back the FUN of operating! Yes, I’m spending several hours every day ripping out old block wiring (that really had become a bit of a rat’s nest anyway). I am dealing with a few headaches with my power routing switches but if the few troublesome ones give me too much grief I’ll replace them with the “DCC friendly” ones.
I’m glad I waited till now to convert as I think a lot of the early bugs have been worked out and now DCC is becoming “mainstream”.
Ed

The creativity that has previously gone into solving the block wiring challenges of DC can, and generally will, be channelled into other directions. Speed tables and speed matching, signalling system, full computerized control, these are just some of the vistas that become much more accessible with DCC. Figuring out how to get that ***ed decoder into an engine is another new task that calls for a lot of creativity in some cases. (Okay, this is really more of an N scaler’s challenge). Heck, if one is fascinated by the realm of block wiring and all, one can still do it AND have the benefits of DCC. The catch is, don’t wire your layout, wire the TOWN. I’ve always figured the guys most into the wiring were just looking for a way to model the power company, only they didn’t really know it.

I had the chance to try DCC on the club layout, while at home I have DC.

From DCC I got the impression that it is a lot more sensible to dirty rails& bad laid tracks than normal DC.
I was also stunned of the number of ‘fried’ decoders we produced and how often engines had to be reprogrammed. Without an electician in the group we would have been stranded quite often. But that is probably the consequences of having a lot of peoples in charge…

For me the idea of having to modify a lot of old engines (steam!) is enough to forgett DCC (not only because of costs but mostly not being able to do it). I am only sorry for the sound…

sebastiano

DCC? Man, I love it!!
“Once you go Digitrax you won’t go back!”

I would like to add to the downside.

The time required to install DCC into a forty year collection of locomotives. Most of these have the older motors that are wired to the frame on one side and have to be converted or isolated.

I have only purchased more engines, instead of starting to convert older ones and this is a major downside in the time and cost department.

The upside are many and DCC is here to stay.

no regrets. Best thing ever happen to MR since electricity!

Javern…I could not agree more…it’s all ready to run,out of the box…what’s left to do. I have been teaching my 13 yr. old son electrical wiring on the layout. He seems able to do it. We enjoy it. No problems. No shorts. no issues. I’ve operated Dcc I just don’t see it for the average Model Railroader. With well thought out blocking, a cab control layout is all we need. Plus, it does introduce a level of realistic operation. One must consider which cab has priority over which sections of the main at a given time. Very much like a real railroad…I guess Dc just plain works for us

Do you regret walking upright? Or would you rather still be crawling on the floor? (and maybe smelling a little funky)[:I]

True, there is a cost, just like when you trip over your own big feet and smack your face on a table. But there is also a benefit. Much more mobility!!!

It took me over a year to outfit most of my fleet to DCC (About 70 locos) The only ones left a really museum pieces or steamers waiting for Tsunamis (I have them, just no time to put them in YET!) Next comes the trolly fleet, this oughta be fun![;)]
Yes, it doesnt happen overnight,(and it ain’t cheap) [:D], but when you list all the pros and cons, the pros win hands down!

I had Dynatrol before switching to NCE DCC.

Dynatrol offers better reliability, easier operation (no programming) and vastly better momentum and braking.

DCC offers a huge array of options through programming. It provides for control of many more locos, including easy muing of more than two units. And then there is sound. Sometimes I tire of sound, but still I’m glad to have it available.

Regrets? Well, it was pretty expensive, but I would do it again, no problem.

Absolutely no regrets. If I was forced to give up my DCC for regular DC, I would give up the hobby. - Nevin

The trick to regular DC is simply don’t buy junk. Have a good transformer and the like. I see no reason I would switch to DCC unless I got a lot bigger layout, and it has to be a pain in the neck in n scale. My biggest problem sometimes is finding a new engine NOT set up for DCC, just plain with no decoder, and the corresponding high price tag that goes with these units.

I agree. I have come to enjoy the sound because it adds so much to the reality of the setting. To me, it is the very same as the switch to colour TV from black and white. Both images are great, but one is just more pleasing to the eye.

There are times I wish I had not. Like when I need to take apart my Spectrum heavyweights to change the light bulbs. Adding decoders to everything is expensive and a pain. The hassles of understanding risistors and light bulbs. Some installations of decoders are cryptic. The good news is running of one power supply is nice. The ability to control everything including lights and sounds is wonderful. The shear expense of buying new locos can be hard on the wallet. $250+ for some engines with sound. Then again fo just running around the Bachmann basic DCC equiped engines for $25 are fun.

RMax1

My only regret is that I didn’t get a system that is more upgradeable. I know that sooner or later I will have to get a system that can do more, but until then I am very happy with not having to chop up my track into blocks and wire all those switches. Even though I have only a fairly simple industrial switching layout having DCC makes it soooo much better.

Someone has been wandering around the depths of the forum! I thought this looked familiar, I started it over a year ago!

Anyway, I am still very happy with DCC.

DCC is absolutely the best thing to happen to the hobby since electricity.

Kind of like the computer replacing the manual typewriter, but that was for convenience too.

I considered switching back to DC. DCC is great but there were a couple of reasons that prompted the consideration of switching back.
I could only afford an entry level system, MRC Prodigy. I knew that I would be able to upgrade at a later date.
Although my layout is an island style it is still awkward to walk around, even with plug in points for the throttle I wish I had a system with wireless throttles. The Prodigy has some issues with unplugging and plugging in throttles.
Decoders.
Early on I bought some MRC315 decoders, these gave me fits. Switched to Digitrax and these were much better, but after several months of use they failed. The trains just died. I believe the amps were too low. I used a 1amp/2amp peak decoder for a loco with 1.3 amp stall current, thought I would be ok but guess not. So for a third time I am installing new decoders in two locos.

I considered say to heck with it and switching back to DC as I only run 2 or 3 locos at one time anyway, but last week I ordered 6 more decoders, I’m sticking it out. I believe the problems I have encountered were part of the learning curve.
Saving my money for a wireless system.
Overall I am happy with DCC, but got very discouraged along the way.
Martin.

Creative? You’re joking, yeah? [;)]

All that faffing around with control panels, blocks, cabs, toggles, rotary switches, and tangled skeins of multi-coloured wire? Not interested. All of that palaver is, to me, just a means to an end - which is running trains. If I’d wanted to be creative with wiring, I’d have taken up electrical engineering as a hobby! [:D]

(Disclaimer: I’m being facetious.)

I fully acknowledge that many model railroaders enjoy the challenge of designing and building a complex DC system. And that’s great, the hobby being a broad church and all that. But I’m not one of them. The convenience of DCC allows me more time to concentrate on the parts of the hobby that I get the greatest satisfaction from.

All the best,

Mark.