Am planning my new N Gauge layout (with great anticipation - Sam Posey’s book has got the juices running again) & will be moving to DCC.
Appreciate any thoughts on make/model of DCC to invest in… 3 wall layout in 10’ x 12’ room…single operator (with help from young grandsons at times!)…running 2 or 3 trains at a time…remote turnouts…potential for signals, lighting etc in the future.
Model in the 40’s & 50’s so also seeking info as to manufacturers of N-scale steam locos with built-in (or ease of adding) decoder.
Well, John, I’m into N and DCC as well. The Bunter Ridge is set in the late 50s, and is a mostly Alco, all diesel shop, so I can’t help with the steam question. I could be wrong, but I don’t know of any that come with DCC built in. Kato’s site didn’t mention DCC-ready for their Mikado, and I only saw a 2-6-0 on Atlas’ site.
I am extremely loyal to Digitrax. For what you are talking about, the Zephyr would be the starter set to use. There are less expensive setups, but Digitrax has a lot of expandability, particularly when it comes to more sophisticated operations (computer monitoring and control, block detection, transponding, etc.).
But, wait for all the other folks to weigh in. Lenz is very good stuff. I don’t now of anyone using NCE, but perhaps someone will pop up on here. MRC has what appears to be a good system, and Bachmann just released one that I’ve heard was designed and probably manufactured by Lenz.
In the mean time, I’d suggest going to Digitrax’s site and taking a peek at the online documents. They keep all manuals on line, including for stuff no longer in production.
NCE is a great system, very usr friendly, a bit more than digitrax. Suggest you go out and try the big 3 Digtrax, Lenz and NCE before you decide, they all have comparable features and the Throttles will be what sell it for you.
Although the new Prodigy Advanced seems to be gaing appeal and respect, so you might want to look into that one as well. any way you go, what every one you choice, you will be thirilled.
I have read much about the vareous systems and am looking forward to aquiring a Lenz as they give a 10 year waraty and from what I have heard in these forums and from fellow modelers, they have the best customer support. Lenz also has updatable units back into the early '90s. Try Tony’s Train Exchange for some great prices and comparisons.
DCC in N gauge is better than ever. More of Atlas’ new loco offerings have decoders already built-in as an option and drop-in decoders are avaialble for many locos. Since all systems work with all decoders, you may choose decoders on features and which fit the best.
As far as which system is better, you’ll receive many differing opinions. In my opinion, the best system for you is one that has lots of local support, from the local hoby store (if there is one), and especially from other local modlelers. Here in the Northern California area, NCE is very popular among active operators and it’s also very easy to use. Because so many people I know are also using NCE, that’s the choice I made so that we could share throttles and (especially) tips and advice.
What a small world. I got interested in model RR late last fall and received Sam Posey’s book for Christmas - really great read. In Jan '05 I started on my first layout since I did this with my sons some 8 yrs ago. Started small (4x4) with N scale and after a lot of reading decided on DCC to start. I chose DigiTrax (predoment in my area) and elected to buy Atlas diesels with decoders already installed - not ready to tackle installing my own yet. DCC is easy - installed my first auto reversing loops with no problem. I’ve not regretted any of this. Also plan on 2-3 trains and have my grandsons already interested.
There is one truly DCC ready N scale steam locomotive, the ConCor 2-10-2, which has a NMRA plug in the tender. Open up the tender, plug in the decoder, program, test, close tender, play with train. Unfortunately, it is a very expensive loco.
The next two decoder installations that are fairly simple are the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation and Spectrum 4-8-2 Mountain. These installations require you to solder the wires in, but the frames have space for the decoders, the motor is already isolated, and disassembly isn’t too much trouble. Both are also very well regarded steam locomotives, just make sure that you “try before you buy” because Bachmann’s quality control is inconsistent. You’ll want the smallest decoder possible for these installations. I don’t know how friendly the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is to DCC installations.
The Life Like 2-8-8-2 is supposed to be a moderately difficult installation, the LL 2-8-4 Berkshire is supposed to be very difficult. The Kato Mikado is also a very difficult installation because the loco has to be almost completely disassembled.
As for DCC systems, I would suggest you consider two critical factors. First, the ergonomics. How does the system feel in your hands? Second, expandability/future upgrade paths. This criteria essentially eliminates the MRC Prodigy and Prodigy Advance, as MRC has demonstrated that they don’t care about upgrades, and the Bachmann system, no upgrade path visible at this time. Your basic choices are the Digitrax Zephyr and Digitrax Chief (skip the Empire Builder), the Atlas Commander/Lenz 90/Lenz 100, and the NCE system. Each has their advocates.