What the world needs now is another thread on which DCC command station is best (or worst). Every time this question comes up, we get tons of different answers.
What I want to know here is, specifically, what DCC command station do you currently use. Why did you choose it? Most importantly, why is it better than the rest of them out there? Be honest, what sucks about your current DCC system? If you wish that you could dump your current DCC system, which would you change to and why? Which DCC system should the rest of us absolutely avoid and why?
Through my extensive research (I spent 5 minutes Googling), I have determined that there are 15 manufacturers of DCC command stations. And, of course, each manufacturer makes a whole bunch of different models. Here is that list of manufacturers:
NCE
Digitrax
TCS
ESU
CVP
Lenz
DCC-Ex
Roco
Bachmann
MRC
Zimo
Sprog
Atlas
Hornby
Marklin
Yamorc
Replies to this thread are limited to those who own DCC systems and those who donāt. Off topic replies will be tolerated but subject to criticism. Fire away!
Nearly 22 years ago, I bought an NCE 5 amp PH-Pro wireless system. Why? Because the two guys at my LHS told me to. Twenty-two years later, I still love it.
There are only two things that it didnāt do out of the box. One, it could program sound decoders without a booster on the Programming Track, so I bought one for $100. Two, it cannot read CVs on the main track, only on the Programming Track.
I have nothing against the other DCC systems, mainly because I donāt know much of anything about any of them. But what I do know is that I absolutely donāt care about running my trains from a smart phone. What I cannot do from my throttle, I donāt need. I really donāt need a screen that shows my locomotives in color, etc.
If my current NCE system decides to drop dead, I will either replace it with another NCE or, possibly, TCS if someone can convince me that it is better than my NCE system.
If you donāt like my choice of NCE, tell me why.
Another suggestion would be to indicate whether you have actually operated a suggested system or simply read about it and its features. We are looking for first-hand experience here.
i own a PowerCab. I bought ~20 years ago because of price (< $150) without much experience using any other system.
i used it on a small layout in NJ. But i also built an NCE controller using an Arduino and was more comfortable holding a smaller throttle and using buttons to adjust speed rather than a knob on a Cab-6 at a club
iām using the PowerCab more on my new layout and am comfortable using the thumbwheel
since joining a club MD, iāve found it convenient using the PowerCab to reprogram PSX circuit breakers installed on the club layout I donāt know how this would be done using Digitrak
Iāve also used the PowerCab to program members locos on their own layouts. The club uses JMRI and a separate cmd station to program decoders.
iāve noticed that club members sometime bump the throttle knob when running trains at open houses, unintentionally changing speed.
some club members have also found it more difficult to consist using the new DT602d rather than the DT402d throttles
iāve also used engine driver on a smart phone to run trains remotely during covid which was not difficult with the phone sitting on a table while monitoring a train remotely using a CTC-like display
iām working on an Arduino based system using an esp32, keypad and OLED display as a controller, similar to my NCE compatible Arduino controller because controllers are easily $100+.
iāve also built a JMRI compatible WiFi controller
I had thought about including Arduino in the last. I am very interested in your progress with the Arduino. Please keep us posted. Thanks for your reply.
I have a 12+ year old Digitrax Super Chief system, like many here, because my LHS owner suggested it. It came with a dt402d throttle which I still use, but not frequently (earlier this year a purchased a TCS uwt100 that I use pretty much now exclusively to run trains; see my other thread about it). I belonged to a small club a few years ago that had a NCE system. I didnāt care much for the hammerhead throttle, I thought it to be big and top heavy. But I did like the scroll wheel. The Digitrax system has been bullet proof for me and offers all the options I need for my layout. Nothing against NCE, just didnāt like the throttle.
Chris, thanks for the reply. No argument from me on the NCE hammerhead throttle. I donāt really have a problem with it, but that is what this thread is all about. Your comment gives others something to think about when they are considering a DCC system for the first time or considering a change in DCC systems.
If you can, others that is, try to hold different throttles in your hand to get a feel for what you are comfortable with. Too bad that local hobby shops are fast disappearing where you can go and test things out.
Of course, mostly only model railroaders and railfans will be reading and following this thread, or so I would think, so I want to be inclusive - - DC modelers and wannabee modelers welcome.
I use the Shortline Supply Company RCC Power Systemā¦
ā¦which here means a very over-complicated wiring system of my own. To put it simply, a remote-control relay module is installed in each locomotive; one relay controls the reverse unit (for those that donāt know, Iām using O scale three-rail) and the other controls the horn/whistle, if there is one. Since each remote is unique to its particular locomotive, I donāt quite need a typical command station. However, the speed of each locomotive is not controlled with the remote but rather with the track voltage. As such, I do need a way to vary track voltage between 8-16.5 volts (any less and all the reverse units in the power block will be actuated). The system is, essentially, a Lionel Type V putting out about 8 volts, which is routed through a 1033. The 1033 is not directly plugged in, but rather is (going to be) plugged into a remote-control dimmer. The 1033 thus adds between 0 and 8.5 more volts. That is my highly inefficient, completely incomplete, and rather fiddly system.
And why did I chose it?
Because it was cheaper than DCC, DCS, TMCC/Legacy, and any other advanced control system you can list! Cost to convert a locomotive is less than $15, and I can also remove that system at any timeāwithout solderingāto maintain the collectibility of my trains. The power system for it is composed of transformers that I already owned, but, pricewise, both of them are probably priced at less than $60 together. Now, the downsides. If I run two locomotives in the (fairly large) blocks, then, while their direction and sounds are independent, their speeds are not. This is not a problem, due to the manner in which my layout is operated. Additionally, itās something of a fiddly system, likely to quit working at any point in time (gosh darn my bad solder joints)!
Iāll play. In my straight DC days I was a devout MRC fan (who wasnāt?). Fast forward to college and the renting of a house with basement space. I set about building a layout for DC, but DCC would make so much better. The MRC Command 2000 was on a heck of a sale through an online site, so I jumped. I really liked it for the first 15 minutes. Then the limitations became glaring. It did introduce me to being able to walk around with the train while running, so I was hooked on that. Fast forward to the MRC unit breaking and I was on the hunt for a new system.
MRC was an absolute NO for me, even though they had designed a new system. Still an awful taste in my mouth from the Command 2000 experience. A bit before this, Lenz had designed a device for their system allowed you to use a cordless phone for a throttle. I wanted it. Newly married, bought a house, and didnāt have career jobs yet, meant I couldnāt afford it. By the time I could, I realized I didnāt want to holding a phone to run trains, my layout was wired for DC, so I waited. Lenz was a bit hard to find during this timeframe as well.
Then a move to a new house meant a new layout and a plan I had wanted to build for years. Wireless DCC would be ideal given the layout footprint. I figured I wanted one of the big established names (Digitrax, NCE, or CVP in my mind), and I had every intention of going with Digitrax. Seemed to be the most popular. A little voice kept telling me to understand why I was choosing Digitrax, so I set about learning what made it superior to the others so I could brag to myself about it. So glad I did. In doing so, I learned about how you interfaced with the throttles of both Digitrax and NCE (CVP was out of the running at this point), and that was a game changer. The more I saw comparisons of how to do one thing in Digitrax and how to do the same with NCE, I was sold on NCE instead. I ordered a Power House Pro 5 amp wireless system and have been very happy. If it died today, I would likely order it all over again, but I would give TCS a look. Honestly, my only complaint about the NCE system is the battery cover on the throttle is a little flimsy. Itās never failed me in the 10+ years Iāve owned it, but Iāve noticed it bows out ever so slightly by the batteries pushing against is as the spring action of the battery contacts pushes the batteries.
I use Digitrax because it was recommended by local train store back in 2003 and both local train clubs use Digitrax. Are the older 400-402 throttles āfiddlyā? Yes, but the Engine Driver smart phone app works great and is very easy for noobs to get the hang of.
Great review, Mike. Youāve been through a lot. I share your preference for NCE, of course, and I might consider TCS if I needed a new system. The troublesome battery compartment cover is unfortunate. I wonder if NCE would send you a replacement.
I have a Digitrax system. Started with a Zepher now have lates version.My local train store recommended it and local train club used it. Have no problems and like there wanaty
First of all Rich, I find your question is subliminally biased. It is with great consternation I noticed you placed NCE at the top of your list.
An educated man such as yourself should have ensured the product list was in alphabetical order to avoid persuasion.
That being said, twenty years ago while returning to the hobby, I suddenly found myself alone in the wilderness. First I discovered that something called DCC had entered the fray of how we control our trains/layouts. A trip to the train store had me returning home to hit the books on DCC.
After narrowing the list to either Digitrax or NCE (note they are listed in the proper order) I gave schematics and other pertinent information of those two brands to my Father-in-law and his son, both of whom worked on designing Canadas early national cell network. I was clueless, however, they thought the NCE had a better design. Donāt ask me to defend that as I have no idea why.
I hummed and hawed for a while longer and then I saw an ad that said the NCE Power-Pro-R comes with puppies I ordered away and all arrived in the same boxed ten days later.
I have had it for a long time now with no complaints, however, if I do need to replace it, I will do my homework. My NCE system, like my wife have performed flawlessly.
Great thread Rich, but please edit your list or I may have to have an extra snort of Glenlivet tonight to calm my nerves.
Thanks Rich. I would contact NCE if the battery cover gave me issues. It does not, so I do not. I did forget to mention one issue I had with my NCE system a couple years ago. It started misbehaving, especially with consists if I recall. After some email assistance with troubleshooting, I was told to send the base unit in for them to look at. I did, NCE found a couple bad solder joints that after years of use had given up, and they repaired the unit free of charge. It would have been easy enough for them to say āIām sorry, itās 8 years out of warranty. That will be X dollars to fix.ā They took care of the customer, no questions asked. That means something to me.
