I’m setting up a new layout, haven’t yet gone to DCC. Should I? What brand is the best to work with? What other suggestions do you have? Thanks!
Shawn,
First off, [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! Boy, Shawn! You sure do know how to ask just the right question that is going to get the most variety of answers, don’t you? [:)]
Anyway, if you are starting a new layout, then you should, at the very least, investigate and consider the wonderful world of DCC. Simply put: With DC, you run your layout. With DCC, you run you locomotives. Realistically though, some of the answers from us are going to depend on some of the answers that can be supplied by you first to the following questions:
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What size layout are you thinking of/considering on building? 4 x 8? Larger?
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What type of layout are you wanting to build? Passenger or freight? Continuous running or switching?
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How many locomotives are you wanting to run on your layout at any given time? 1, 2, or >2?
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Do you already have some locomotives? If so, what are they? - i.e. what brand and prototype? For example, Proto 2000 0-8-0 or Athearn F7. (This would be good to know in the event that you are wanting to install decoders into the locomotives that you might already have. Some older locomotives might take some special attention to get them DCC-ready.)
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Are you interested in installing sound on your layout?
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Are you wanting to run turnouts or accessories from your throttle?
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Do you want to be able to program/keep track of your decoders CVs (configuration variables) using a computer?
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Have you done any reading on DCC yet?
Shawn, in reference to question #8, I would like to make a couple of recommendations to you. First, read as much as you can on DCC before making any decisions to buy a system. It’s better for you to make a well-informed choice than to make one quick (or poor) one and regret your decision. One of the forum members, Dave Kelly, spent an entire year
What scale are you in? Some scales lend themselves to DCC installation easier than others due to space limitations.
Do you have a budjet for this? DCC starter sets range in price from $60 into the thousands. Most of the entry level starter sets from the main manufactureres are around $150.00. These system generally are limited in some way (number of locos that can be run etc but can be expanded later). $300 to $600 will get you a full featured system with some level of wireless hand held control.
The most basic entry level system is from Bachmann. Cheap and very limited but has met the needs of some.
MRC, Digitrax, NCE and Lenz all offer higher level entry systems in the mid $100 range all with some level of expansion.
All of these plus CVP make more advanced sets as well.
You will find strong advocates for all these systems on this list. It can get a bit like Ford v Chevy. None are bad. Some will feel better to you than others. It is a matter of personal choice.
Then of course there is your first question that you have posed; should you go DCC at all?
If you have the money and have some interest in more realistic control of the layout, then IMO it is a no brainer, DCC is the way to go.
If you are very cash limited and already own a lot of locos that you like and don’t have the skill to convert them to DCC then DC is well worth staying with.
A few things they seem to overlook in most DCC guides:
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The number of locomotives listed for various DCC systems is the maximum number they can control at one time - so when it says 10 locos, that means the most you can run atthe same time is 10. That doesn’t mean you can only ever own 10 locos, you can have 500 or more - but only run 10 at a time.
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System size - a lot of people tend to go overboard and buy more than they need. Most systems ffer some form of expansion to handle growth. Key factors are what scale you model in and how many trains you expect to have running at any given time. Maybe someday you intend on having a huge basement empire and will need more capacity, but this is why there is expansion capability. It might cost more int he long run to expand up - but it’s a gradual process you do as your layout grows. A system designed for 20 operators running 60 locos is generally overkill for a 4x8. If you already have a huge layout, it doesn’t make sense to buy a starter system.
–Randy
Shawn, I love my powercab. I have an L-shaped 15x17 N-scale layout and even though it can only recall 2 locos/consists I have run 4 trains/6 locos at the same time with no problem, that is until I forgot the loco #. My solution was to get an additional cab and use it myself or allow one of the kids to run one.It is a blast to run trains this way, control lights, adjust momentum and braking, the list goes on.
I like the tethere/walk around capabillity, though limited on the powercab( you cannot unplug it), as I only power a few turnouts and left the rest on ground throws.
Most people compare this unit to the Digitrax Zepher, and it is a nice unit, but I do like the tethered rather than stationary comand station.
Many DCC specialists are able to do frame modifications, so if you have older locos they may be able to make them work for you. If you plan to expand your fleet think about replacing them all together as the new locos( most of them anyway) run so much better tham the old units.
If you are near Riverside Ca. come by and try my powercab.
Shawn,
Visit this website:
Whether or not you decide on DCC up front, it would be a good idea to read through this website and follow the recommendations for wiring. That way, if you start out DC and then switch to DCC, it would be a simple “plug and play” operation.
That being said, for the most part on a small layout, the wiring shouldn’t be too much different from DC to DCC anyway - you should be able to plug in a DCC system into any small layout without having to change anything (except maybe double-gapping the rails and feeder wires at some point to avoid an electrical loop that might cause problems)
Other advice, like others have said - just read and research as much as you can about DCC so you can familiarize yourself with it before buying anything. Some good resources are the manuals and other literature available on the manufacturers’ and dealers’ websites:
BTW, I have a Digitrax Zephyr starter set with mostly NCE decoders. (I do have one Soundtraxx “generic steam” decoder that I’m going to put in a Spectrum 4-8-2. I’m also contemplating a second Soundtraxx sound decoder to put in an Athearn F7B.) Good luck!
YES
I like my Digitrax a lot.
I finaly went with radio control and wish I would have started there. It would have saved my a hundred. I found that IR was more frustrating than it was worth. For the 4x8 part of my layout, the tether was not long enough to work the train without changing location and that was frustrating after a while.