I have 2 small n scale modules 14 inch wide 4 ft long one has oval one switching layout can be joined at later date both unitrack and DC for know. I also have a couple of dcc loco’s and dc. i’am on the fence i read small layouts are not worth dcc but i am very interested . looking at nce system never had dcc or know anything about it only you can run more than 2 loco’s . need advice to stay with dc or go dcc , and how is e-z comand. thanks to all for input
First size of the layout is not the deciding factor. It is number of simultaniously running locomotives/train that decides whether DCC is applicable. So, Are you planning on running 2 or more trains simulataniously? Having lots of locomotives parked on a side track or in a round house don’t count. Running at the same time is the key.
If you only every plan to have 1 train running then DC is the logical decision.
Second, If 2 or more trains, how familiar are you with electrical wiring? If you can easily understand a wiring diagram for DC cab control the DC is an easier decision. If you do not understand electricity and wiring diagrams DCC is a slam dunk. No track blocks, no cab selector switches, even reversing loops and wyes are easier with DCC.
Third is number of operators. If you plan on having two people run trains simultaniously then the DCC system will need to have two throttles. It is not fun handing a single controller back and forth between people. For DC systems when there are two or more operators it is a good plan to have yet another person to sit at the control panel and “dispatch” setting the cab selectors for the others.
NCE makes several systems from their starter Twin, to the entry level PowerCab, to the full featured ProCab. Which
While the initial setup cost is greater than DC (especially if you already own the DC components), the operating advantages of DCC far outweigh the cost disadvantage. Having operated with DCC on both small and large layouts, I can attest to the fact that DCC is great for small layouts. Even if you’re not actually operating two locos simultaneously, the ability to park one loco anywhere (not just on specific blocks and without having to locate and flip a toggle switch off), select another loco without having to locate and flip another toggle switch, drive one loco right up to another loco then consist them to run together, the ability to program specific running characteristics into each loco, headlights that stay on full bright until you dim them or turn them off, etc., etc., etc. It is simply far more fun to operate with DCC. Despite the horror stories about DCC being finicky in regards to clean track, I personally don’t see any difference except that I was never able to run my trains as slowly and smoothly on DC as I can with DCC.
I totally agree with Hornblower. I went from DC to DCC almost two years ago. Now I run locomotives instead of operating electrical blocks. I can also have sound.
Nothing against DC though. DCC simply gives me more fun for the money invested.
Stanley,
TZ and th others have given you some good advice. If you think you’ll only be operating only one locomotive at a time then stay with DC. However, if you are wanting to operate two locomotives independently on the same track or add sound at some point then DCC is the way to go, IMO. Keep in mind though that keeping track of two locomotives simultaneously is challenging enough - even more so on a smallish layout.
The Bachmann E-Z Command is a good, no-frills, limited DCC system. You can address up to nine (9) DCC locomotives and one (1) DC locomotive with it. You can operating front and rear headlights (F0), as well as eight sound functions (F1-F8). Addresses are limited to single-digit numbers of the individiual address buttons.
While the E-Z Command does what it does decently, you can not program or adjust any configuration variables (CVs) on your locomotive with it. This would include 2- and 4-digit addressing, operating Mars or ditch lights, sound functions F9-F28, or adjusting individual or master sound levels - just to name a few. MSRP is for the E-Z Command is ~$100. I had one for a year and liked it but I only paid about 1/2 that price. If I were to buy one again, I wouldn’t spend more than $40, tops.
The NCE DCC Twin and Power Cab are more full-featured systems and have much more capability than the E-Z Command for only a few dollars more. The Twin and Power Cab can be had at discount for $125 and $155, respectively. If money is not tight and you are interested in DCC, both of those would be very good starter systems for you.
Tom
As you haven’t yet started as such, then in my mind, the answer is obvious… DCC.
I have a small shelf layout which is more of a “test” layout for testing anything… locos to scenery. It is operated by a NCE Power Cab. I have a very large layout in the Garage and it isoperated by a NCE Pro Cab. The only meaningful difference between the two systems is the power supply. The Power Cab is fully featured DCC system and you can do anything with it that you could do on the pro cab. In fact you can even use the power cab hand controller on the procab system as a second controller (incidentally, the opposite is also true!). The power supply for the Power cab is only 3amps and therefore limits the number of powered items that can be operated (locos, DCC turnout controllers, etc). For small layouts that is fine.
The advantages of DCC have been stated by other respondents and myself.
My opinion of the EZ command is… don’t. It is a really simple system and not worth it in comparison to the similar starter sets like the NCE Power Cab.
Good luck, make the leap to DCC, it is really the future of model railways!
DCC>DC. (Runs and hides…Sheldon?)
For your size layout, there really isn’t much reason for DCC. Yes, DCC can simplify running more than 2 locomotives, but you don’t appear to have enough layout for more than 2.
The main advantages for DCC are simpler wiring in most cases, wireless control and/or tethered throttles off a command bus allowing control at different parts of the layout. Your modules are small enough that a fixed DC control panel and a few block control switches should suffice. Use Atlas components to keep it simple.
If you plan to expand soon or are intrigued by DCC, then go ahead. But your set up as you describe it will work fine with DC.
Good luck
Paul
If you contemplate coupling two locomotives together to run as a consist, DCC is the simpler system by a factor of preposterous. In analog DC, you have to have one locomotive standing on dead rail while the other moves to couple up - on rail which, of necessity, has to be powered. This calls for strategically-placed gaps (and a way to keep track of where they are) and some precise spotting. With DCC, just have one locomotive speed zero and maneuver the other as if it was coupling to a box car - anywhere, on un-gapped track.
I run analog DC, MZL system, and find that there’s a certain amount of PITA factor in coupling (and uncoupling) front end helpers. If I was just climbing the steep part of the learning curve of more complex DC track power that would be enough to send me to DCC. OTOH, I’ve long since reached the top of that plateau, so the necessary actions are instinctive. To a newcomer, they aren’t.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL)
A simple solution without spending your money on what I like…
You will need to answer the question that fills your needs.
Going to run more then one train? Then a simple DCC starter system will work.These can be had for around $130-140.00 street price.Bachmann’s EZ DCC system can be had for around $80.00 street-its a good basic system for simple DCC operation.
Going to operate a single train? Then DC will work.
First,
[#welcome]
When I got back into the hobby some odd 7 years ago, I had always wanted HO, so I started anew with it, and in DC. {I had Lionel and N scale as a kid/teen}
I quickly decided after reading aobut DCC that I wanted THAT. I found it confusing to run the DC and DCCs on the same track run so I got out of DC rather quikly adn run ONLY DCC on my layout. If you are atached to a particular DC loco, I’d convert it if it were me.
I go the Bachmann EZ Command system {cheper on my strained budget.}
I have : a layout that is 2 oval, one inside the other and interconnected with each other via switches, and a 4 spur yard, and a 2 spur engine stage and servicing facility inside the inner oval. It is a rather small layout.
Basically I can run that entire setup with just 2 wires connected the track . It has NO reversing loops, so no shorting or polarity issues. {i did add feeders though to be sure of continuity of signal}
I can run about 3 locos wiht one controller on just that one set of two wires to the layout! One on the inner oval, one on the outter oval and one in the engine facility. ANy direction I please, anything doing as I please for each loco.
Can’t do that with DC. would need track blocks, toggles for the sindings in the engine faciltiy, etc.
I have the EZC. I actually have 3 of them one for the HO layout,
I did check not much differance in cost of e-z and nce loks like nce is better. I was able to make 2 track oval 16inch wide with inside oval having 2sidings and 1 holding track for loco’s, all unitrack now i guess i could have outer oval running and inner use for small switching, am I correct? . I will not add sound to loco"s but I did read another thread somewhere that i could hook up mcr syshcro sound box to nce starter cab any info on this. and about other progrms all I need is lights speed control cvs’s no idea thanks for help
Stick with DC until you can’t stand it any longer. When will that occur? When you are desperate for sound. When you want to run more than one loco without concern for block control. That may never occur in which case you made the right decision to stay with DC.
Rich, a happy and content DCC user
Yes, you could do that trackwork, and will be happy to have DCC to do it, trust me! Remember, if you have no “reversing loops” you can get away with just 2 wires connected to a 4x8 with that configuration. BUT {there is always a but} you WILL want to use “feeder wires” every 3 to 6 feet of track to insure continuity of signal and keep your locos running tip top.
AS far as cost, I was not aware NCE can be cheap as the EZ C. {WHen did that happen?}
Also, your last statement I know nothing of, If the other thread says it is so, it might just be.
Havbe fun and Happy tracking!
Lastly, here is whole primer of DCC:
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips.htm
{don’t count on the link working}
[8-|]
DCC, DCC, DCC every single time. And NCE is, to me, the absolute best on the market.
thanks for all the help and info galaxy; sorry about mix up between systems ment to say nce is more than e-z comand. I think as the same as my cash flow is limited and since I won’t be installing sound I will getting e-z . it dose make sense with size of module. and as you said i can runouter oval with slow or fast speed and still use inner oval for yard work and switching loco’s & have room for holding track for other loco"s… thanks for everything
Whether or not DC or DCC is better for you will depend upon how you operate your layout, not necessarily the size of it.
By participating in many of these DCC or DC threads, I’ve concluded this answer:
If you have DC now, stay with DC until you reach a point to where changing the way you operate your layout becomes a Pain-In-The…
Then go DCC and hope that changing to DCC solves the problems that DC created without creating side effects that you didn’t have with DC or that those side effects are not more of a collective Pain-In-The…than the problem you originally had with DC. [;)]
Personally, I have always been interested in building layouts with one simple operating scenario in the 30 years I’ve been in the hobby; (which requires no blocks or complex wiring), so it suits DC just fine.
In my favorite James Bond(Roger Moore) voice-Must be a DCC fan…
With DCC yes that is easy. With DC it depends on how it is wired.
Can we assume at this point you have decided on the NCE PowerCab as a control system? It will make answering questions like the one above easer.
I ran DCC for several years before I started playing with CVs, speed curves, and all that sort of thing. Knowing that is not necessary to run trains. That is all fine tuning that a beginner does not need to worry about. The only “programming” that I do is to set the channel number on the locomotive. With the modern DCC controllers is it not necessary to know CV numbers to do that.
I would go DC because Sheldon says so, forget the rest if us. [(-D]