Still DC for me.
DC seems to be dominating this poll.
Both, but I will soon give up the DC component. I installed a SPDT to switch between them, but have only ever used DC twice. It’s a goner.
I’m still doing DC, but I retrofitted my wiring to accommodate DCC, and I also have a Chief ready to be installed. I just need to amass the money to install decoders in my 30+ locos…
For the moment, it’s DC. My next layout will probably be DCC wireless. For me that’s the primary advantage of dcc.
Enjoy
Paul
Agreed, DC is still dominate for now, If been running dc for 35 years, I tore it all apart and re-wired it lately in rwo nights, no big deal, converting 60 or so locos is a big deal, I would like dcc in the future, but like others I run my trains on a 16x20 layout with 30 switches by my self. There no big inducement for me to plunge yet.
A small layout and a even smaller budjet…Its got to be DC and unless I hit the lottery It will always be DC…Cox 47
I got into trains a few years ago and all I’ve ever had was DCC.
I have complete DC and DCC control systems waiting to be installed. Trying to make up my mind whcih one to use.
James
I still use DC to, have bought allot of decoders for the upgrade and have the controls for it. I am just going to wait a bit longer, it seems the technology is moving very fast right now, and I think its going to change for the better for the common MR. It will become more affordable for the common person. The sound is being added to allot of decoders, which makes it easier for install, there are a vast amount of different decoders both control and sound out there, some good one, some junk ones.
I have a friend of mine who converted to DCC and says he will never go back to DC system. He has about 15 loco’s with only five with decoders. Can someone explain why he comes over to my house, bad mouths DC operation, but brings a few loco’s with him so he can run them on my layout, and complains to me about my older system? He spends more time at my house running trains than he does at his own. Think I should ban him from my layout?
Still on DC, and I don’t know if I will go DCC. I just keep asking myself if I really need it.
I run my trains alone and this limits the number I can control. Also the cost of fitting decoders to all my locos would be great and I’m not sure if all my older locos could be fitted.
William
Well, the HO club from my home-town used DC, it took 3 of us 4 months to completely re-wire a 25’x60’ lay-out after someone got bit by a ‘dead’ wire…but like a lot of people, the cost for DCC is preventative at this point…besides, we have run as many as 14 trains on that lay-out with only 2 main-panel operators and 1 in the yard…that’s 3 people, total…and as long as we paid attention, had no trouble
Still DC: might someday change, but that will come with a larger layout and the time to work on it. I separated my layout into 23 independent blocks and wired it for dual control: took me a weekend to accomplish, but it worked on the first try and it satisfies all of my immediate needs. I may someday replace one of my two cabs with DCC and use it to control some of my newer models, but we’ll see.
Yes, I did say simple.
Four mainline blocks, x double track main = 8 blocks.
Branchline has 3 blocks
11 blocks = 11 wires.
Plus the main needed blocks for signalling anyway.
And with DCC, you still need to drop the same number of feeders.
The way I operate (one main runs clockwise, the other counter clockwise and a local switching on the branch), I can’t see spending the $$ for DCC.
Nick
nbrodar…are you sure you didn’t pick up my old club’s layout by mistake?..that’s exactly what we ran…branch line has to reverse-loop blocks, with the 3rd being the operating line…the rest is identical…scary concept, hey?
When DE-CODERS prices come down and can be had at the LHS I’ll go to DCC,I have 20+ engines and only two de-coders to convert means a lot of $$$$$
JIM
YeSSSS D.C for me also ,But in the future i will get into DCC. just a cost thing right now ,with all the locos i have.And i need to read more about it .i hear its the way to go now ,But,Also herd theres some disadvantages with it ,that DC doesnt have.
Carl.
I had considered staying with DC however as I was initially very skeptical. After seeng many demos, personally there are too many benefits to overlook DCC.
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It’s neat to see a powered locomotive sitting with it’s lights on while another locomotive, moving independently, comes up and couples with it.
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Watch locomotives leave their lights on while you turn the Mars or Gyra LIghts on or off, just like the prototypes.
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Decoder equipped passenger cars with lighting kits. Lights can be turned on or off at will, especially for night running.
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( Modern-era modelers) Turning on your ditch lights as your train approaches grade crossings.
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Be able to take locomotives from Atlas, Stewart, Athearn, and Proto—run them in a mult-unit consist at low speed without surging or jerking! ( How Sweet that is! [dinner] )
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Not have to think about flipping cab control switches to set up routes. You’re free to run your locomotives on any track, anytime!
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The fun challenge of having to avoid collisions. ( At a train show during a demo I accidentally rammed a BLI GG1 into an Athearn diesel! )
As for size? My layout will be around the wall and only 2 feet wide. I’ll likely have two trains running at the most simultaneously…yet at the engine service facililty I want to have 4 or 5 sound equipped units standing by with diesels idling.
As for the costs, I don’t make a lot of money myself. I must be fortunate to have been raised by a mother who taught me to use “Lay Away” and to budget and save.
But I’m amazed at how many people complain about DCC’s costs. Initially the control system is the biggest investment. For a small or medium sized layout a Digitrax Zephyr is cheaper than a new BLI locomotive! Decoders go for as little as $15 a piece.
Boosters, if needed, can be bought one at a time. I just don’t see all the “Hub -Ub” about DCCs high costs. <
I will have DCC on my layout that will come soon. Hopefully.
I’m DC and plan on staying that way…the reason is that i’m scared to put in DCC because I have a lot of electronic devices on my layout like train detection circuits and low voltage lighting stuff…don’t want the big headache of changing over and nothing electronically working anymore…chuck
I think that there is nothing wrong with DC, as long as you have good equipment. I have neither a large enough layout or the resources to bother with DCC. Maybe someday in the future, but I don’t consider it any priority.