hello everyone after spending roughly 11 hours today working on my layout, well beating my head against the wall, i have come to 2 conclusions #1 i went from using dc wanting to upgrade to mrc controllers, in fact lost a couple on ebay today to going all out to dcc and #2it would be easier to buy your own railroad (come on powerball!) so if anyone wants to tell me their opinions on dcc brands/systems it sure would help also if anyone could tell me or give me a rating on roco dcc system it would help
I have no experience, nor knowledge of the Roco system you mentioned.
Tony’s Trains has good reviews of DCC systems. The most reccommended “starter sets” seem to be the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE PowerCab (although there are others, these ones just pop up the most here as reccommendations)
Tom (tstage) wrote reviews of some of the NCE stuff as it came out
- PowerCab review
- CAB-04p Review
- SB3 review
Hope this helps…
I would also give a vote to the NCE powercab or any of the other NCE equipment. I have had no issue with any thing they make. Setup was simple and the controller is one of the most self-explanatory ones in the industry. Ultimately you will have to research them and choose one yourself, it is a good idea to pick one that alot of people in your club or hobby shop use so you can get lots of support with issues. Good luck!
This is probably the most asked question on the forum (probably at least three times a week), so there is a wealth of information available if one makes use of the search function.
As for me I have two of the old MRC Command-2000 units, a Digitrax Zephyr, and a Lenz set-100. The MRC Command-2000 are not even available so don’t even worry about those. I can highly recommend either the Zephyr or the Lenz. And even though I don’t personally own one, I can recommed the CVP Easy-DCC system.
I like the Zephyr with the controls on a base unit. Ditto for the Easy-DCC and even better it has two throttles built in instead of just one. The Zephyr has a unique feature called jump ports that allow one to add to standard DC power packs to it to use as throttles.
I like the Lenz push button throttles even though I thought I would hate them. I’ve had no trouble with the Lenz and so far all repairs and upgrades have been provided by the factory for free. I have a friend who purchased a Lenz in the dark ages. His unit is electronically equivalent to mine because of the upgrades he has been able to get through the years.
I know nothing of Roco unit.
This Yahoo group is fairly active.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCC4EVERYONE/
You have to join but it is spam and troll free. I have belonged to Yahoo since 1998. There is a group for MRC, NCE, SoundTraxx and others. I believe all are moderated to control spam.
I have NCE Power Cab. Fairly easy and not too expensive. I use SoundTraxx and Lenz decoders. One Roundhouse 4-4-0 that has a MRC DCC & sound decoder. I have some blocks but all I did was connect up the DCC signal where I used to send power from the old DC power packs. I leave all blocks on. One stub end siding in the yard is only for programming. I paid $140 for the Power Cab. Remove the old DC power connections and connect the Power Cab. It is good for maybe six engines at a time. Probably more than one person can handle.
Rich
Roco’s system is not well supported in the USA.
For super basic entry: Bachmann
Next up: MRC, Lenz, Digitrax, NCE all have systems well under $200-
Go with what others in your area use, so that you can get assistance from them.
I have a command 2000. However, I’m thinking about switching over to a roco system. If I were you, I would look into an MRC prodigy express. They cost about $95 from wholesaletrains.com. that is also my more expensive option. Good luck!
(by the way, when looking at a system, also look for expandability, whether or not you can get boosters and more contollers for it!)
ok will check these out first thing in the morning when the hobby shop opens, one last ? will the dcc system slow down or speed up the engine on its own
nicky&dad,
I’m not entirely sure what you are asking exactly. With any DCC system, you can control the following:
- Speed
- Direction
- Lights
- Sound
And you can do this independently for each locomotive you have on your layout. That’s the beauty of DCC: The ability to control and operate two (or more) locomotives…on the same track…going in opposite directions…at different speeds. (Just like the prototype.)
Now, if you are asking whether a DCC system can control a locomotive’s tendency to speed up and slow on certain areas of your layout, the answer is yes. However, this is usually a sign that you do not have enough power evenly distributed around your layout.
In DCC, there is a feature in certain decoderes called BEMF or Back EMF (Electromagetic Force). This particular feature has two pluses to it:
- It allows a locomotive to start and operated at VERY slow speeds. (This is particularly useful for yard switchers.)
- It allows a locomotive to maintain a constant speed - no matter whether it is going uphill or downhill. The speed will remain constant.
I hope that answers your question. The Tony’s Train Exchange web site that Dan suggested above has a very nice reference called DCC For Beginners that is quite helpful. It will explain what DCC is and what it can do in very understandable english. Definitely worth reading and/or downloading onto your computer and printing out.
The key to buying a DCC system is to read as much as you can first and determine which DCC system out there will best meet YOUR needs. Having local support (e.g. someone to bounce questions off of and get recommendations for upgra
If you mean will each locomotive be able to be controlled individually, yes. If you mean it allow a train to do this on its own the answer is no, either a person or a computer has to be in control of the train.
There are decoders out there that will increase or decrease the power sent to the motor that allows a train to maintain a steady speed regardless if it was going up or down hills. Why anyone would want this I still don’t understand. Sort of defeats the idea of running the train.
Some of the best information you can find on the web about DCC is right here.
As for me, I picked the Digitrax Zephyr and, so far, I love it.
-George
hello everyone i was one f my ?'s was about speeding up/slowing down due to a mountain i was having a little trouble with as far as automaticly holding the train back on the downhill side and wanting to switch to dcc before i get to far along so i was able to fix it by having,well lets just say a nucular warhead went off, the only surviving items is some lumber and my dashound “odie” for some reason i cant get the most bang for your buck when it comes to using up space but as far as dcc i am purchasing a nce system so thanks to everyone out there for your advice on this subject now if anyone designs layouts or has comments on a layout program they have used i’m all ears
You might be discovering simple law of gravity on that mountain.
What engine and how many cars are you trying to run up that hill?
none now, simple law of nucular [xx(] bomb, no more mountain,hills, trees,layout, empty room,starting fresh
if it dont work out better next try [censored][banghead][censored] there will be a hugh ebay sale [2c]
just bought a priodgey express my first dcc have not hooked it up yet.
if any one has advice would like to hear it.
thanks
okiecrip
rock island forever
I want wireless throttle and ability to run my DC engines.
The Digitrax Super Chief radio system will do both and more.
Digitrax wireless is “one way” communication only. Digitrax calls this a “safety” feature. If my engine shorts out the track voltage can I continue with the wireless throttle or do I have to plug in again to “aquire” the engine?
2.5 watts is plenty for me (n guage) and 10 engines at once is plenty. What would one of the systems above a Zephyr get me over the Zephyr.
for you (and many others) they won’t get you anything . if you need more power you can buy a booster and divide your layout into power districts . the only real limitation on the zephyr is the 10 loco at once limit . when your reach that buy a bigger command station and use the zephyr as a throttle/booster for it’s own district . chances are with a small N layout you’ll never need anything more . i’m planning a fairly small HO layout and won’t need anything bigger
Before selecting any system, do the most important thing - Research.
Here’s a comparison chart from Tony’s Train Exchange
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/dcccomparison.htm
Spend some time on their website and read the other DCC articles and product reviews they have.
The other thing I always suggest is to go to the manufacturers’ website and download and read the manual(s) for the systems you’re interested in. Can you follow the manual? Is it easy to read and understand? Don’t get caught in the trap of think you can rely on your local hobby shop to solve all your problems if you can’t figure out the manual and the system. Chances are the know only slightly more.
Lastly, price should NOT be the primary factor is deciding on a system. Remember, you get what you pay for. A cheap system can just cause you problems down the road and possible more expense.
jktrains
P.S. = My personal use and preference is NCE, either PowerCab or PowerhousePro.