I am beginning a new 2 X 8 modular layout. I am going to use Peco Insulfrog turnouts and Atlas flextrack. After researching the wiring problems I might encounter, it is attractive that I could leave the Peco Insulfrog turnouts alone without any extra wiring if I chose DCC. If I use DC wiring, I would have to feed the points with the Peco Insulfrogs to make things work…It will be a switching layout and strongly operational in its concept. I will be using only one small switcher as the only locomotive on this layout. With all of that stated with the exception of no wiring with the Peco Insulfrog turnouts with DCC, convince me of why I should use DCC? I am open, if someone can convince me to use DCC. I would appreciate honest comments and forthrightness. If DCC is worth it, tell me so.
Your research is in error. Peco insulfrog turnouts do not require any special wiring with either DC or DCC (or any other electrical system for that matter). It is the Peco electrofrog that require special wiring, and that is with both DC and DCC.
Your decision to choose DCC or DC should not be based on these turnouts, as there is no difference in how they are wired.
wcu,
If you are only planning to use one locomotive on your module, then DCC really doesn’t have an advantage over DC. However, if you should ever want to add another locomotive and run them independently, DCC is the better choice.
Another question to ask is whether or not you are interested in sound at all?
Tom
Sound and lighting effects are pretty cool. It’s going to be neat to run all my trains and control all my turnouts from a wireless hand held controller.
Do I NEED it? No! Am I glad I have it? Yes!
Tstage, I have never explored sound on my locomotives. Would DCC be better if I installed sound on that one locomotive that I will be using.
Loathar, you propose a great thought that I did not consider. Can I control Peco turnouts with DCC if I use Switch Master under the table machines. What about signals also? Where does DCC fit in with that?
Signals too. You’ll need a higher end DCC system to do all these things. (not a $69 Bachmann EZ Command) You will need to buy the turnout decoders that work with the switch machine you choose to use. The April 08 issue of Model Railroader mag has a good article on choosing the proper stationary decoders.
Go to Youtube and search for Tsunami sound decoders or Loksound decoders(or just “sound decoders”). There’s some great videos of them in action.
I didn’t think I “needed” these either. But it really makes your layout more fun and upgradable.
At the very least, you’d be able to access 8 sounds functions; more with a more sophisticate DCC system. However, F0-F8 or F9 are the most commonly used functions.
In order to access sound in DC, you’d be more limited. Some sound decoder manufacturers like QSI make an multi-button attachment for your DC power pack to access/play sound functions:
The cost of one will probably run you $50-$60. I picked up a simple Bachmann E-Z Command DCC system for only $53. It’s a limited system (1-amp) but you’d have 8 sound functions plus lighting. However, you can’t access CVs (configuration variables) or the fancy lighting functions with the E-Z Command.
Tom
Thanks tstage! I look into that option.
Thanks Loathar. I did go to YouTube and watch the videos with the tsumani sound decoders. WOW! I would love to spend more time listening to a diesel sound tsumani decoder. I will probably be using a Kato NW-2 or Athearn SW-1500 for my main engine. Can you imagine the sound of those decoders at a slow pace while switiching? Thanks for the advice. I will keep researching DCC and sound decoders. The jury is still out!
These guys are all on the money. Listen to them.
One thing that tstage hit on that I’d like to expand on is the fact that on a smallish layout, like you’re proposing, I think that DCC makes even more sense, if you plan on more then one loco. The reason is, on a smaller layout with DC power, the blocks are smaller and so they are closer to one another. This means that you’re constantly throwing block switches to keep your trains running, and the chance of running into an already “occupied” block goes up the more loco’s you have. If you ask me, DCC is much more important on a smaller layout. And that doesn’t even bring up the old argument about DCC is running trains, while DC is running switches…it just magnifies that argument.
Now, about those “cornfield meets”…
On a small layout with only one loco, there’s no need for blocks. I have a medium/large layout, but as a lone operator, the entire layout is still only one block, as only one train can be operated by one operator (and that’s not based on any limitation imposed by the single block)[swg]. It sounds to me as if the OP is talking about a switching layout, where one of the attractions is a more “hands on” approach. In that case, the main benefit of DCC would be the availablity of sound.
Wayne
My layout is small, 5x12 feet, and I have a 6-track yard. I do, however, typically run 2 switchers. This happened because I got one of those can’t-pass-this-up deals on a second switcher, with sound, after I already had one.
I found that having a second switcher adds a lot to the fun and interest of running the yard, even though I only operate by myself. DCC lets me do this.
I bought DCC, Bachmann + 5 amp power booster all for under $250.00. I bought it to try it 3years ago and I thought if I lke it I would upgrade to one of the more expensive DCC systems, and could sell my Bachmann units on eBay, but I’m quite satisfied with my units. I can run up to 10 trains but I only run 6, enough for me. The Bachmann without the 5 amp booster is only 1 amp, you can run 2 DCC loco’s with it and like tstage said, and for $53.00, you can’t beat it. You can still get the sounds of both steam and diesel and chugs and turn the light’s on and off, and ring the bell, brakes squeal and such with the Tech cabs. I do run in DC at times and I use the Tec 4 model 260 and still get all the above with sounds, etc. You cannot use the DCC functions with the toy train transformers, though the loco will still run. I might add that I run even Atlas and Stewert Loco’s DCC with sound and they operate just fine using the Bachmann DCC cabs and booster. It’s a good cheap way to learn it and you too may be staisfied! I have not had any problems at all with my Bachmann DCC system!
This question comes up often, and the person asking usually has the answer(I have 1 engine, a limited switching layout concept, etc…). Of course, a DC system will cost less and work just as well in that sitiation. But as most of us know, there WILL be more engines, a larger layout in the future, and the sound thing is so tempting!
After wiring 3 medium to large layouts with full walk-around DC cab control, I converted that last layout(20’ by 25’) to DCC(complete rewire) and would never do a DC layout again. Most ‘home’ layouts can get by with something like a Digitrax ‘Zephyr’ or a NCW ‘Power Cab’ system.
The club I belong to started building a new DCC only layout in 2005. Several folks told us we should wire it for DC/DCC operation. We started with 6 members, and now have 12 full time members. Last week after the ‘business’ meeting, we had ‘rung what ya brung’ running session and had over 8 trains running at one time on the mainline. Back in the ‘old’ DC days, we would be limited to maybe 2-3 trains ‘following’ each other around…
Jim
This is almost exactly what happened to me. Started with a small 4’x8’ sheet running dc and before I knew it I have 2 dcc and sound locos, a J shape with 3 times the track, and an NCE Power Cab.
Plan for the future, don’t just think in the moment you are in now. You’ll save in the long run…
If you have a single locomotive and a small layout, you don’t need DCC.[:-^]
But, like potato chips, who can stop with just one?[?] And, on a small layout with a moderately complex track plan, the wiring to run a second analog DC loco gets ‘interesting’ (and expensive) in a hurry.[:O] Not to mention that you have to find an octopus and train it to be your dispatcher.[(-D]
Starting from the ground up, I would go with DCC, and all the bells and whistles (and steam exhaust and coupler clash) that goes with it.[8D] Just the saving in decent-quality toggle switches would pay for the basic system and a DCC board for your motive power.[^]
DCC control of fixed objects is another ball of wax. Your main DCC power supply will have to be big enough to handle switch machines, and the ‘vampire draw’ requirements of the fixed decoders.[dinner] This is a case where opinions vary, and I’m not going to confuse the issue by giving mine.[:)]
Why not? Because I am far too committed to my own operating system - analog DC, MZL system.[oX)] For me, DCC came thirty years too late.[|(]
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - since September, 1964)
You don’t need DCC. But I like sound and light. Therefore DCC is a must for me.
This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Geob8ivh7U shows my little 44-ton switcher. You don’t need more engines. But running with light and sound is big fun.
And running a steam engine with sound, you drive slooowly, each hiss and puff…
Wolfgang
Are you going to run 'multiple" cabs? NO.
- Atlas “code 83” flextrack is .017 higher than Peco , Walthers, Micro-Engineering, and NMRA. Why mix? Is PECO code 83 track better? Yes. Does it cost more? Yes.
Is a DCC layout more expensive than a DC one? Yes. (Start with needed decoder modules).
Peco’s insulfrog turnout’s work on both DC & DCC (so do Atlas’). ALL turnoouts should be fed from the points - theoretically.
Nobody needs DCC any more than they need cell phones or personal computers. We functioned for a long time without these modern conveniences but they do make our lives simpler (or more complex, depending on your viewpoint). Likewise, the hobby thrived for many decades without DCC, but DCC has enhanced the experience. So the question is whether the added cost will justify the benefit. For the layout you describe, it doesn’t seem to me DCC will be that much of a benefit now but what about the future. If at some point you expand your layout to where DCC will be more beneficial, it will be easy to upgrade. You’ll only have one loco to retrofit with a decoder. You don’t need to block the 2x8 layout so the wiring would not need to be redone. The only benefit I see with DCC now would be if you wanted a sound equipped loco and be able to control the various sounds from a DCC throttle. I am a strong proponent of DCC for larger layouts, but for what you describe, you can certainly live without it for now.