Thanks for all the good info on my other thread asking about DCC. I am looking at that NCE PowerCab system. It looks to be close to my price range. I’m not sure if it will have all I need to get the trains running though…
Speaking of price range…are Bachman DCC diesels pretty good? I’ve heard Athearns are one of the best, but I’m not sure if I need the best. I need something I can afford…so how are the Bachmans? I see a few on e-bay for around $30 and thought that was pretty good???
From what I can tell with the one Bachmann DCC diesel that I have, they’re good runners and pull well. The one I have is the GP50 high hood. I currently have an order in for a GP35 DCC locomotive from Bachmann. They have their DCC locos on sale right now for 39.98.
Are your running a NCE PowerCab? I bought a Bachmann with a my old Prodigy, but man, was it LOUD! I took the engine back because of it. But the prodgy, wasnt the best DCC system. I was wonderign if you do have the NCE PC,how quiet the Bachmann’s runn
Canazar, I’ve got an NCE powercab too and really like it. I think the decoders from NCE are what make the difference in “loudness” because of their programming features.(Back motor force, dither etc.) I think anyway. Although I do have an old BAchmann from the Spectrum line which was popular in the early to mid ninety’s and it is definately loud. But runs quite well. Its the amtrak F40PH. Although I’ve not tried any of Bachmanns DCC locomotives I think their “professional” line of locos is rather good for the price.But for a really good looking and running loco I always go with Atlas or Kato, or Proto 2000. I’ve not purchased any of the new Athearn line of Genesis and am curious how they stack up. They look very nice.
The Bachmann loco I have and the one I have coming both use a function only decoder, no sound. As for motor and drive noise, there’s a little, but it’s not bad. The DCC controller I use is the Bachmann EZ Command. I know it’s very limited. but for a small layout like mine, it’s enough. For sound, I use a MRC diesel sound box connected to the DCC controller. I have speakers placed at strategic spots around the layout.
I have a Bachmann GP -30 as said, it is a little loud. I have an older Bachmann GP-40 that I recently had a NCE decoder installed in. It runs so smooth now that it puts the GP-30 to shame! Like Jeffrey, I use the EZ Command system and the MRC sound unit. Jeffery, those speakers you have are they all connected together or are you able to control each one separately?
I noticed that the Bachmans I was looking at have EZ Command decoders in them. The info states that NCE will work with them but is this accurate?
I’m actually having a lot of difficulty understanding what components are needed to get started in DCC. Is there someplace that tells, in laymen’s terms, what items are needed to get going and what is optional?
I see decoders this and decoders that and really don’t know if it’s needed, hehe.
I am looking at the NCE Power Cab, and it says it’s the same as a Power Pro…but doesn’t Power Pro have more items in it? Oiy! I’m excited but sure am confused!
Thanks to NMRA standards any decoder will work with any command system. Your bachmann decoder will work on bachmann, NCE, Digitrax, Easy DCC, Zimo, MRC, anything. Its all the same standards and all commands are the same. Thanks NMRA!
The NCE Power Cab is a sort of “starter kit” system. As far as I know it has everything you need to get started. Just hook it up to your layout, put a decoder-equipped engine on the track and you are ready to run.
The decoders that Bachmann uses is Lenz decoders they work with NCE systems.
I have a NCE Power Pro system and about 12 Bachmann Diesel loco’s. Out of all the Bachmann diesels I have, I had one that I had to send back due to having a loud squealing noise. Bachmann sent me a replacement within two weeks.
The Bachmann diesels do run slightly louder than Proto and Atlas but some of the Athearn BB’s I have are no different than the Bachmann diesels.
Athearn has three lines of locos. Genesis which is the top of the line, Ready to Roll that is middle of the way and has a considerable amount of detail and finally the Blue Box (BB) line that is the bottom of the line.
I have bought from all three Athearn lines. The BB is the least expensive. I have six F7 diesels. They do not come with DCC. You have to install your own decoder but they cost around $30. I have paid as low as $23. for a F 7 “B” unit.
The decoders I’ve installed are NCE’s D13SRJ, & D14SR and Digitrax DH123, DH123P, and DZ123. All of these decoders are inexpensive function only decoders. They do not have sound. They control speed, lights, and direction. You will nee
The Power Cab will do everything the Power Pro will do except that you will only be able to call up 2 locomotives at a time in your recall stack. With the Power Pro you can toggle between 6 locomotives. When using the Power Cab with a Power Pro system, it automatically turns into an additional throttle. With new locomotives, you should be able to run 4-5 locomotives at a time with the Power Cab.
If you are interested, I’ve written a review on the NCE Power Cab and the CAB-04p throttle on my website that might answer some of your questions. To access it you can either click the website (www) button at the bottom of the post then click the Reviews link on the web site, or click Power Cab & CAB-04p review.
Mike, you may also want to familiarize yourself with DCC a little more. A couple of suggestions:
Web link: Tony’s Train Xchange (See2. DCC For Beginners) - Handy reference that explains what DCC is and what it can do. You can either read it online or download it onto your computer as a .pdf file.
Book: DCC Made Easy (Lionel Strang/Kalmbach Publishing) - Lionel has a real knack for explaining DCC in very understandable and uncomplicated terms. (There’s meat there if you want, too.)
I own several of those $40-including-decoder locos from Bachman. It’s certainly the lowest price you’ll find for both a loco and a decoder… and I’d rate them as “pretty good.” There is NO comparison to the smooth running and control on my Atlas or Kato locos, but for the money… the Bachmann diesels aren’t bad. I’ve found a little inconsitancy in quality anmong the ones I have. One --an SP 70-Ton switcher – sounds like somebody dropped a nail in a blender. My FTAs and GP50 are quiter and a little smoother. One of the FTAs stopped running. I returned it to Bachmann and after about 3 months got it back repaired.
I got a couple of the Bachman SD45’s and while they don’t have the best detail, they run and pull fine. They were the DCC equiped models and I’m running them with a PA with no problems. They would make a great basic workhorse engine.
Tom, I’ll check out your review. I looked at Tony’s site…although very thorough, and a site I have made as a favorite, it is still too nuts and bolts for me at this time.
Not only am I wanting to get into the bare bones of what is required for DCC to work, I also need to know what is needed for wiring, in simple terms. I am a Mechanical Engineer, so “simple” is the key word for wiring schematics!
This is the first layout that I will be doing since doing dioramas in the early 80’s…so it sounds like Bachmann is the way to go. I am going to be doing this with my 5 year old, so I really don’t want a $200 diesel for him to drop! Hehe. He actually wants the Polar Express…Yeah right! No way I’m going to give him a $300 Berkshire 6-8-4 in HO scale. Sorry kid.
I am also a bit anal though, so I will be very picky on the detailing of the scenery on the layout…I didn’t want y’all to think I’ll just plop this down on a piece of plywood!..I’ll actually paint the plywood first. :))
I’m thinking of 2 -3 trains only (which is all I think one operator could ever handle), with enough switching and turn-outs to keep me interested for the long term. Of course, 2 - 3 trains plus a 5 year old is like trying to handle a layout of the UP Yard in Omaha back during the days when I was growing up!..but I digress. Again, thanks for the info!!!
Mike/Nightshade
P.S. I do have a Bachmann F9 that I purchased from a LHS back home in Omaha last year. Is there a site that has diagrams of what I will looking at when I open this baby up to see if it has a slot for DCC in it?
I have the GN GP30. It is a little noisy until it warms up. It’s a good puller, and for the price it can’t be beat. I’m planning on getting the PRR GP30 as well.
If that’s the case then I think you’ll enjoy Lionel Strang’s DCC Made Easy. He covers quite a bit in such a short book but puts DCC in very understandable terms. It’s a terrific reference. [tup]
