If your layout will end up behind glass, do you really need DCC-Sound?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello everyone,

I have a question for you all. On this forum and elsewhere I keep reading about the glories and the wonders of of DCC-sound. While I have been tentativly sold on DCC. I am wondering if sound is worth all the extra hoopla and expense. For starters the layout I am planning when I am finished with it, will be finished off behind glass. Since that is the case. I do not think I will even be able to hear the sound that DCC-Sound equipped locomotives will generate.

So what do you guys think.

James

2

If your layout behind glass is just going to be a continuously-running train passing through scenery, no stopping or switching, you may not even need DCC. A simple DC loco and analog controller would be adequate, and certainly less expensive.

If, on the other hand, you’re going to glass in your Hammerlock Industrial District switching layout, sound probably won’t get out - but how are you going to get in to correct the results of Murphy’s Law at work?

I propose to have a glassed-in diorama with nothing but run-through tracks on the ‘public’ side of my main peninsula, but the real action will be on the other side, in the open. Sound might be nice, but it’s not among my highest priorities at the moment.

Chuck

3

The glass will be hinged at the top so in case of derailment I can gain access. But this will be an otherwise typical operations capable layout.

4

James,

How are you going to ‘operate’ with glass sides and a top? Opening up the top to set a coupler is going to get old very fast.

Jim

5

A layout is never finished in my opinion. Like somebody already said, removing the top will get old real fast, and you WILL be removing the top a lot. You would be able to hear your loco’s if they were in a glass case, it just wouldn’t be as loud obviously.

6

What about having a simple speaker system, that way you could turn in on and off and adjust the level depending on your mood.

7

Coupling will employ kadee’s magnetic coupling system. Or am I the only guy who has gotten that to work reliably?

for throwing turnouts and the like there will be an under table switch machine with an activation button on the facia.

8

James, You may be the only guy to have made it work reliably. But I suspect you will be doing a lot of ‘hand’ uncoupling as the centering springs wear out, and the ramps are never where you need them. The big question is - Why are you going to enclose the layout?

Jim

9

to answer your question … no you don’t need sound equiped locos .

10

So I don’t have to dust it. I hate cleaning.

11

“So I don’t have to dust it. I hate cleaning” actually that wont get you away from cleaning it. they have an enclosed layout at the nation railway museum in York. they found that the humidity inside the case causes more problems than if the glass wasnt there! it causes an oily residue on the rails and that is picked up by the wheels…the only reason for having an enclosed layout is to protect it from little fingers.

Peter