What is in the future for those of us who still use DC only? I just started a new layout, digging out my collection of 30+ years, but it’s getting tough to find stuff in plain vanilla DC. What are my chances??
shyguy6041- Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
Most all locomotives released today are sold as either DC only (DCC capable) or DCC and Sound. So march happily into the future building and using your DC layout. Heck, you can even buy a DCC sound loco, tear out the sound decoder and speaker, re-wire for DCC and then sell the decoder and speaker.
If you are having a hard time finding DC at your local hobby shop, just ask, because there is no shortage of DC only being produced.
shyguy,
DC will be around (and should be) for many years to come. I see plenty of locomotives at my LHS or online that are “plain vanilla”. Sometimes I may actually prefer buying a DC locomotive and converting it to DCC or DCC w/sound.
Tom
I am a diehard DCC fan, but even I don’t see the demise of DC locomotives all the way out to the horizon. Too many people either want straight DC/vanilla or don’t want the sound/DCC package included in an otherwise nifty gotta-have. And, as the others infer, nothing will ever preclude a buyer from ripping out what comes from the factory in the way of DCC and converting a mechanical drive to what works best for him. I think you should get a good sleep tonight. [swg]
Someday only Sheldon will be running in DC. [(-D][(-D][(-D]
Speaking of Sheldon, where is he? [:^)]
Rich
Writing a book called “The World according to Sheldon”
If you don’t buy one he will send you one for free and force you to read it.
I don’t see the demise of DC any time soon since DCC/Sound locomotives can be ran in either mode.
Use a MRC Tech 6 and you can enjoy all the thrills of sound and set some CVs! I love mine.
I don’t know of any decoder that isn’t duel mode.
Build your DC layout.
Breaking News !
If Sheldon ever abandons DC it would be for something superior to DCC like battery powered direct radio - until that technolgy is perfected - don’t hold your breath.
As for BLI, I have nine of their locos, but the prospect for any more is slim - unless they actually come out with something I want AND they are sold at 55% off in the next BLI cash raising campain.
To the OP,
Remember that many non sound, DCC locos like Bachmann are actually easily converted back to pure DC. In the case of many Bachmann locos that means just unpluging an inexpensive decoder and pluging in jumpers they provide with the loco.
Then you can sell the decoder on ebay - that’s what I do.
Sheldon
Larry, dual mode decoders are a joke, they simply run poorly on many GOOD DC throttles.
But I do agree the MRC throttle is a good choice for those who want sound on a small or basic layout.
Sheldon
OP, this is the comment I find odd, because it is not my assessment of the market at all. I am curious as to what led you to that observation?
DC will be around. In speaking with several new layout builders they almost all want DC to start with a possibility (or not) of going to DCC in the future. I personally find for those new to the hobby that working with DC locos, lights, controls, etc helps build a foundation in electrical/electronics knowledge which helps them in the future.
Richard
Like other answers DC is probably here for some time.Bachmann makes DC only locos both steam and diesel. Some people will knock this brand, but they have gotten better. I have 2 Bachmann locos, 1 a 2-8-0 Connie and a GP30. Both run great and both come as DC. Check out their web site Bachmann trains .com And remember there are 3 types of DCC : DCC ready which is a DC loco with a plug for a DCC decoder, DCC with no sound decoder, and DCC sound decoder equiped.Any new DCC loco will run on straight DC. Have fun!!! Joe
I think DC engines will be around for a while. For the last 10 years or so pretty much every DC engine made has been “DCC Ready”, usually with some provision to easily add a decoder. I don’t think that will change soon, both because of some folks wanting to stick with DC layouts, and partly because some folks want to buy an engine and install the decoder of their choice. (I suspect this is particularly true for people who like sound engines, as for some of us it’s hard to come up with the money for a sound equipped engine in one lump sum. Easier to buy a DCC-ready engine and install sound later.)
DC will stay around until DCC systems are as cheap as a DC throttle. Probably even longer - they continue to be the entry-level systems - how many people do you know who will buy a DCC system for a kid’s first layout? Sheldon, I operate in dual mode now; I have two eras (steam and diesel) and have converted my diesel to DCC. My point in bringing that up is that a high-quality fully filtered load-compensating pure DC throttle still gives my locos the best performance … but with the DCC it sure is nice to be able to do away with the block controls.
I don’t use traditional “block contyrol”. I use a form of advanced cab control that uses a dispatcher and/or allows for simple walk around cab assignment with Aristo Train Engineer wireless radio throttles.
The system I use is related to MZL control developed by Ed Ravenscroft and incorperates several other advanced cab control concepts developed by Paul Mallery.
No toggles, just few pushbuttons. When there is a dispatcher, operation is just like DCC for the engineers.
Turnout routes, cab assignments and CTC signaling is all intergrated into the control system.
The dispatcher sets a route and gives the engineer a green light, all the rest happens automaticly.
Without a dispatcher, engineers set turnouts and assign throttles as they walk around, using local tower panels with redundant push buttons and route control.
Sheldon
I think the future is what you decide to make of it.
I’m no electronics expert, but its my understanding that all locomotive motors are DC motors. Its just that some have a decoder plopped on top to interpret a digital signal that’s sent through the rails and then modulates the motor accordingly.
I think of locomotive control choices similar to like choosing to buy a car. Many cars start with the same basic mechanicals, then add features to enhance performance or convenience. A plain DC only locomotive is like a stripped down car. Then comes DCC ready circuit boards, then DCC decoders, and finally decoders with sound. Buy your options for what suits you.
Even with Sheldon’s future, battery operated locomotives, I think the the basic motor would still be a basic DC motor.
All you have to do is strip off all of the optional features and wire the truck pickup wires to the motor wires correctly and your DC power pack will power any locomotive that is being manufactured now or ever has been manufactured in the past (within reason).
Somebody please correct me if I generalized wrongly.
You are correct, they all have DC motors and can be “stripped down”, but not many people are going to pay the $100 extra premium of a DCC sound loco just to rip all that out. I know I won’t.
I have bought DCC sound equiped locos at rock bottom bargin closeout prices and ripped out the DCC/sound.
I do buy “basic” non sound DCC locos lke those o
Thanks Sheldon.
Another way of stating my generalization is… Manufacturers will always make DC locomotives. What is uncertain is how many electronics “options” will become standard, and will they continue to offer locomotives that don’t have the electronics options as standard equipment…and at what price.
As manufacturer’s have consolidated, it is easier for them to keep tabs on each other, and could all choose to go full optioned locomotives only and eliminate the stripped down version at the same time.
Fortunately, I think the secondary market will keep them in check since that will always be an outlet for someone like me to buy the barely used stripped down locomotive if the manufacturer’s stop offering them new. To the extent that I buy locomotives that I don’t need, I won’t buy a new locomotive if my only choice is a fully optioned “Cadillac”. They may-as-well keep making Chevy’s too and make some money.