hey everyone… i have a small shelf layout designed… its approx 14" x 9 ft
there is 10 turn outs … and a turn table … i was just wondering if any one would recommend a DCC system that would fit my needs… i plan on running at max 2 trains on this layout… but i do plan on expanding it … further down the road im gunna ad a yard and a full curcuit track so i can have a train runin at all times…
so my question is… what would be a good system ( affordable ) that would allow me to run my initial shelf layout … plus allow me to add on when the time comes.
a system with easy wiring … somthing that wont give me all sort of head aches as a beginner , i dont want to be discuraged !
I would recommend Digitrax’s Zephyr. It is relatively inexpensive, but can be upgraded/added on to with all of Digitrax’s other components. It looks and operates more or less like an old-style powerpack. If you want walk-around and/or wireless throttle operation, you will have to get a few more components.
It will easily handle two locomotives. Don’t forget that each needs a decoder [;)].
With any DCC system you chose, you should wire a bus under the layout to provide power at regular intervals all along the track.
Take a look at the new entry-level set from NCE, the PowerCab. Brand new, just started shipping. Really, really nice. Great reviews and lots of folks saying it’s the ‘starter set’ to beat now.
The wiring considerations for DCC are not specific to any brand of DCC system. So there is not advantage to select one brand over another for the wiring of the track. A good wiring job will improve the performance of any system. If you want a small starter system that is proven and well liked by many, then the Digitrax Zephyr is hard to beat. I have one and would reccomend it to anyone. There is also a new NEC Powercab unit, announced, but not yet being shipped. Depending on your timescale this would also be worth your consideration.
Simon - As of yesterday, many vendors have PowerCab in stock and most start shipping it out to consumers tomorrow…
Personally I dislike the Zephyr’s big, fixed-in-place “power pack” type combined throttle/booster, but there again, the thing with DCC systems almost always boils down to personal preferences for throttles/cabs. It is, as you note, time-tested (if perhaps getting a bit long-in-the-tooth) and popular.
I presently have and 18x22’ shelf layout with center peninsula giving it a “G” shaped configuation. I was going to go with MRC’s Prodigy Advanced, but after a few folks panned it on the forum, I reconsidered. I’m sure they all have a few quirks. I decided instead to go with the NCE Power Cab which should work sufficiently for my layout. It is expandable and the hand cab resembles the PA. Also, NCE is strictly in the DCC business and won’t bring anything to market until the “bugs” are ironed out. I hope it is worth the wait.
This is exactly what I Do like about it. The Zephyr makes an excellent static cab for yard operations. It is very easy for a child to use (V. Important to me and my boys) and is inexpensively expanded to a walk around throttle with the recent introduction of the UT4. I’m not sure I would describe it as “long in the tooth” as it offers all, or more features and expansion capability than the other starter sets on the market.
yea i was just reading about that… i think ill do that … is peco track and atlas track compatable ?
i wanna use code 80 seeing as its not high detail so there is no need for code 55
i could still use atlas turnouts and just get manual throws for them
I’m in HO and use Atlas Track with Peco switches with no problem. I would be almost certain that N scale track of the same code would also work together with no problem.
As for wiring, in my case, I run a power bus under the layout and then run feeder wires up thru the baseboard to the track. Some say do this every 3 feet. There have been a lot of topics on this recently so look for discussion on track wiring and power bus.
I have a shelf layout similar to yours… 24" X 12 feet, but HO. Just a small, long switching layout. When I considered buying the Digitrax Zephyr, I realized that I had no place to put the console. I have nothing against a nice,heavy console, but on my layout, there just was no place for it. And, there was no use for it … as i don’t really have a yard, just a bunch of spurs, etc, along the length of the layout. So, I needed a handheld throttle.
You mentioned control of turnouts through the handheld throttle. I do it, and love it. I know many people (most people) don’t do it. But, for me, hands off operation is the fun part and very important.
I also wanted two additonal, simple, hand held throttles (large knob), to use with other people. To be able to control turnouts with those cheap utility throttles, I had to go with a NCE system, over Digitrax.
Don’t be afraid of buying one of the “premium” starter sets … Digitrax Super Empire Builder, NCE PowerHouse Pro, etc. This stuff is not brain surgery. All the sets have a “quick start” guide, and you will be up and running your trains in minutes. The higher priced sets just have the advanced features that you will want sooner or later. So, buy within your budget… but don;t be afraid of the technology.
For a good starter with your size layout and the ability to expand, I would also suggest the NEW NCE PowerCab. It’s a handheld unit (unlike the Zephyr’s console) and will give you plenty of power (1.7 amps) to run your small layout.
tyhatts, if you want a bit more power, NCE has what’s called the Smart Booster that will raise the amperage to 3 amps. If you decide to really expand, the PowerCab can be used as an extra throttle with the NCE Power Pro system.
Tony’s Train Exchange (TTE) gave the PowerCab a very nice initial write up on the TTE web site:
NCE has spent the last month or so just working out any of the known bugs out of the PowerCab before shipping. I’m really looking forward to getting mine soon. I’ve already downloaded a .pdf file of the PowerCab manual to look it over in the meantime.
tyhatts, for a REALLY affordable system, the Bachmann E-Z Command DCC system would also fit your need. I’ve had my Bachmann for about a year now and have been very pleased with it. However, the Bachmann system is a limited system. At present, it isn’t expandable and you won’t be able to adjust any of the configuration variables (CVs) with it. (Hence, why I’m moving up to the PowerCab.)
If $$$ is a real issue for you, and you just want to run trains right now with a very simple, no-frills system, the E-Z Command will work fine for you. I’ve seen them as cheap as $50. It’s a good and simple system, just limited in what it can do.
Excellent point, and excellent advice! (Except that I’d recommend the Super Chief instead of the SEB) [:D]
The layout wiring is basically the same no matter which DCC system you go with. There may be some differences in the throttle buss wiring, but they are usually just that: Differences, and not clear-cut advantages or disadvantages.
Consider that once the layout is wired, it’s done (unless you decide to make changes). But if you HATE that throttle, or you decide you really NEED that feature, you’re going to be reminded of that throttle or that missing feature every time you run a train.
So it’s really the features, the expansion abilities, and the ergonomics (or lack of any/all of those) that you should be comparing.