I am building a layout (my first) in N scale. I am up to the point of laying track. I want to proceed with the purchase of a Digitrax DCC system (yes, it will be a Digitrax…please, no responses recommending other brands or criticizing Digitrax). The layout occupies an area of 12’ x 13 1/2’. It is a hybrid of a shelf and walk in layout. The total surface area of the top is 112 sq. ft. The layout will have a total of 145’ of track. It will include one reversing wye and one turntable. It will operate a maximum of 2-3 engines simultaneously. It will incorporate a staging yard behind a backdrop. My plan is to purchase a Duplex Equipped Super Empire Builder Xtra Set, a PS515 Power Supply, and an AR1 single unit auto reverser. My rational is that I will want a radio throttle to operate the staging yard from behind the backdrop while other trains are operating on the main line and yards of the layout. While working in the staging yard I will be able to view the entire layout from over the backdrop. (I’ll be the Jolly Green Giant peering over the mountains.). The AR1 is for the reversing wye; part of which serves as a siding for a passenger depot. Therefore, requiring auto reversing. The turntable will take care of its own reversing via the contact arrangements under the rotating bridge. Last, all switches will be manual using Caboose Industries throws. So, the question is…am I going too far in my choice of a Digitrax DCC system? Could what I need to do be achieved with a lesser (cheaper) system? Thanks Jim
Sorry, the end of my message is confusing. The question is; am I going too far in my choice of the Digitrax Duplex Equipped Super Empire Builder Xtra Set, or could I achieve what I need in a lesser (cheaper) Digitrax set? If so, which? Thanks
Jim,
The Zephyr with a UR92 and a DT402D throttle comes out to about the same price as the Duplex SEB.
Advantages of the Zephyr would be CV readback and another throttle (and the jump throttles).
Advantages of the SEB would be the ability to run 22 lococs instead of the 10 that the Zephyr allows, and 5 amps of power instead of 2.5.
Based on the description of your layout, and being fond of CV readback ability, I’d personally go with the Zephyr.
HTH,
Steve
If you go with the system that you describe in the OP then I would add a PR3 to the system as this would give you both a PC interface and also the CV read back capability. There is no doubt that as Steve notes the Zephyr with duplex add ons would also do the job. Speak with a good Digitrax DCC dealer and price out the systems and make a choice, I don’t think you would be unhappy with either.
I have the Super Empire Builder on my N layout. While it is in the middle of their product line it will have everything to run your layout without having to expand the system later. The DB 150, UR 92 and DT402r are easy to set up and use. You’re not tied down to one spot as with the zephyr. One thig i would do is get a PM 42 instead of an AR1. The PM42 can be used as a circuit breaker for seperate power districts or as a reversing unit for a wye or reversing loop. Also with the 5 amp power supply you could use it to also throw your switches so you won’t have to use another supply for them.
For the purposes of accuracy, the UR92 is the Duplex receiver/transmitter and it works with the DT402D when in radio mode.
The DT402R is the simplex version of the throttle that works with the UR91 for radio, although it would work with the UR92 in IR mode only.
I keep thinking I want to get a Super Chief. But when I really think about it, I realize I’ve run over 8 locos at once on my Zephyr, and on my layout I won’t really be running more than 4 trains, and most of the time just 1 or 2 - so why waste my money?
–Randy
Why? I don’t know how many people I’ve heard start with something basic and small and have to upgrade or replace it. One basic thing I noticed over the many years is that model railroads seem to inevidably grow and grow and grow. If you are sure yours will not grow, then you are good to go.
i used to fly RC aircraft, i started with a basic radio and within 18 months i’d upgraded twice to the top of the line available at the time. when i went to DCC model railways, i just went straight in for the digitrax chief on day one. as it happens the chief today is better spec’d than my version with speaker type quick connect terminals and a DT100. i wanted a booster and a DT400 so i purchased an empire builder. today i want a 402 and an upgrade for my 400. ( i wish they stop improving things [:D] ) i’m considering selling on my old chief with the DT100’s and just buying a new 8 amp chief with a 402 in the box. what do folks think an old chief with a DT100, DT100R and UR91 is worth??
The nice thing about the Zephyr is that you are really not limited if you want to add upgrades. If the power turns out not to be enough, add a DB150 booster and you end up with a 5A power district and a 2.5A district. If you want radio walk around throttles just add a UR91 or 92 and the appropriate throttle and you are good to go. So it is easy to add new features without having to scrap the initial investment and trade it in for a bigger system.
Why not just just get the UR92 and a DT402D and add it to what you have? With your current DB150 and DCS100 you have 10 Amps of power already. The UR92 and UR91 will happily coexist on the same layout, so you can add the new Duplex and keep using the simplex throttles at the same time. If you really don’t want the old 100’s any more, they still sell on e-Bay, as does the UR91, so there is a market for those items that would go towards the cost of the new throttle.
I have a 9x13 bedroom. My track plan completely fills it. It can’t get any bigger. However, someday should I have a huge basement to fill with railroad, maybe I will need a bigger system - but even then only if I plan on running more trains. It’s not really the size of the layout but how many trains and operators you run. Fear not, the Zephyr is completely upgradeable without replacement.
The Zephyr actually has MORE features than the Super Empire Builder, and almost all of the features of the Super Chief. SO why NOT? Like I said, I’ve run as many as 8 locos at the same time, including 5 sound units. No need for 5 amps or more.
–Randy
i want to upgrade my command station because i don’t think the old type supports the brake on DC function as it only has 6 connections and not the 7 of the newer unit.
Assuming from the original post that you’re new to DCC, I would suggest starting with just the Zephyr and the AR1. Learn how it works, get used to changing CVs and such. Then add on as you want to later, it just plugs together.
BTW I had planned to do radio on my layout, but decided the infra-red (that’s built into the throttles) work better than I expected so I’ll probably just go with that. Given your layout’s space, a couple of infra-red receivers and say a UT-4 might be all you need for wireless operation.
Brake on DC is a decoder function and has nothing to do with the command station, but I think you may be thinkig about the DCS100’s ability to have a DCC breaking section output. The DCS100 uses the program track outputs for that function and the older ones have that ability as well. I believe the only difference between the older DCS100 and newer one as far as features go is the ability to control decoder functions above F8. If you want the extended function control, the older DCS100 is upgradeable to the newer version. The DCC breaking section requires the use of a booster, so if you do want to use that feature you might consider getting a new DCS100 and using your old one as the booster for the DCC breaking section.