DCC Starter Set

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello

Is there a DCC complete starter set ( Train,Track,Controller ect).I know that roco has one but it is rather expensive.

Are there any affordable ones.

many thanks

pavariangoo

2

pav,

Here is a recent topic that might answer your question:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=30771&REPLY_ID=306621

3

You may want to look on Ebay at an MRC Command 2000. They are still available new, but you can buy used ones pretty cheap. Actually, I think cheap enough that once you are ready to move up, you can resell for what you paid. Not quite a full function DCC, but enough to get started.

4

pavariangoo,

You can probably pick up a cheaper (but definitely better) system in parts. Wholesaletrain.com has the Bachmann EZ Command DCC System for $53. $79 includes one with a locomotive. I’m sure there is also a Bachmann train set out there that includes their DCC system. I don’t know how much it would be or how it would compare with the Roco price wise.

My suggestion would be to pick up the EZ Command (with the locomotive) and enough track to make yourself an elongated oval. Here’s an example: (3) packs of 22" radius plus (2) packs of straight ATLAS Code 83 nickel-silver track plus a track feeder to attach to your controller will probably cost you around $20-$25. Pavariangoo, when it’s all said and done, you can probably get out the door with all that for a little over $100. Not a bad deal.

Now that doesn’t include any rolling stock or passenger cars. Cars can be picked up when you have more money. Enduringexp’s suggestion is a good one though. You might be able to pick up a used better DCC system off of ebay. You might also be able to pick up a whole box of someone else’s cars for dirt cheap off, too. The condition of the cars will probably vary. You take your chances buying that way.

Anyhow, hope that’s helpful…

Tom

5

Bachmann has a couple with 2 trains, track and DCC in their current catalog. These are all in one package. They should be fairly affordable.

RMax1

6

Pav,
Most of the suggestions mentioned were for HO scale sets, if I’m not mistaken, and were also for US voltages. The Bachmann EZ Command system is about the cheapest DCC system that is sold new in the US at this time. I don’t know if it’s available in your corner of the world. As for complete sets, are you still planning to run N scale? I don’t know of any N scale sets that include DCC and track, but you can get both seperately. I know Kato makes some pretty fancy sets of their Unitrack in N scale, so you can pick up something like that and the Bachmann EZ Command and use them together. Then all you would need would be a DCC equipped locomotive and some rolling stock.

7

I’d go with Digitrax, just because I have one and its the only one that I have ever experienced. However, I’d go with a step up over the Zephyr, to get the bigger control box and be able to run more locos at one time. I have an Empire Builder set that really serves me well.

Greg

8

It was good to find out the new site for Roco -. Even though it is not apparently the same company . I did not find the internet site useful (other than the product line pictures, etc.)

There is no e-mail contact listed and other than the lead page and product listings ,there is nothing else in English. I guess the ROCO European models are not my prime reason for joining the forum. Rather, my interest in ROCO is their DCC starter sets and the Lok-Maus system. If I need to look elsewhere (I ran a forum search on ROCO before replying to this topic) please advise if you can assist…

I bought a ROCO DCC starter set in March of 2004 through Internet Hobbies. It is a nice set but the DCC controller has malfunctioned (not sure it ever worked fully right) and does not pass the power from the transformer through to the track. The transformer and Lok-Maus test-out fine.

This set came with a 2 year warranty. Has the takeover of ROCO and reorganization wiped out all of the warranties? Does anyone know about this? If there is no warranty or servicing, then is there another manufacturer’s controller out there (purchasable separately from the other DCC pieces which make up a whole system) which would accept the connections that ROCO has on their Lok-Maus system? The Lok-Maus connects to the controller with a phone type/network cable. The power to track from the controller is a female 2-pin receptacle with standard track connection wires. Can anybody answer thes questions. If so you shall train forever! Thanks