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.
I don’t have any questions today, but I agree that we should not confuse the DC club. I am a convert for the same reasons as Dave. I am also a huge fan of radio. I like walking around my small layout with my train. I love watching my Gkids walk around with their trains, just like engineers. I love running my coal drag with my two articulateds (grossly mismatched in speed) with my throttle with two knobs. If I can learn the whistle signals I could even talk to myself prototypically.
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.
[8D]
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. [:O]
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.
Mike Tenn
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.
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
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”?
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.
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
rich
Your opinion is as valued as any other’s. It may even get feedback! [:D]
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.
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.
Page, pointing to the DC Club - “Sire, the DCers are revolting!”
“Oh, aren’t they just…?” [:D]
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. [:D]
Mike Tennent
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!