Just wondering how big of a layout people have that are running DC. I have a single DC throttle, and as mentioned in my previous post “One man’s junk…” in general discussion forum, I rescued a pair of 4x2 foot 1/4 inch plywood sheets. Recycle, reduce, reuse…sorry too much Bob the Builder lately. I need more Thomas and friends in my mental system. Anyways I did figure on a basically a 6 1/2 by 2 foot layout area on the two sheets with a small area for the computer monitor, but now I’m thinking of just a straight 8x2 foot area, or what just popped in my head an 8x2 area with another 4x2 penninsula making a T shaped layout. But again, I have only a single DC throttle and don’t really want to ponder into DCC yet, costs too much. I also have to keep the size down as we live in an apartment and no one know’s if we’ll always be living here with that extra room to use. I think my job is just afraid to call what they have me on as a lay off for possible legal reasons. But at least on the knews last night the local job service admitted that most of the open jobs in the area require degree’s and such so certain un-named people will start believing me when I tell them that.
I am not certain I found the question in your post… but straight DC and straight AC used to be the only games in town for model train control. So DC powered layouts can be enormous. I believe their is a club in Denver that has a 100x90 O-gauge layout that is all DC. The catch with DC remains that for multiple train operation someone has to sit there and flip switches to send the proper power to the proper set of tracks.
Keep in mind that basically for each DC train you want to run, you’re going to have to have a separate DC powerpack (although you can get ones with two throttles instead of one). With DCC you can set a train running on the mainline, then use the same controller to say switch cars in a yard while the train or trains on the mainline run on their own.
Based on your original post, it looks to me as if you’re planning a point-to-point railroad, and not a particularly large one, either. I also gather that you’re looking to do things as economically as possible, which suggests not too many locos and, given the layout size, likely only you as the operator. DC will serve you just fine for such a layout - your wiring need not be complicated (if you have only one loco, a single pair of wires is all that’s required). If you plan the layout thoughtfully, you can get plenty of enjoyment out of building and operating a small layout, without the need to spend a lot of money. This is the way a lot of us used to do it, and many still do.
In addition to building and detailing your layout, you can learn how to re-build older (cheaper) models with better details, and, if it interests you, to scratchbuild, too. If, at some future time you want to change to DCC, it shouldn’t be difficult, either. In other words, you can get a lot of enjoyment out of our hobby, and it doesn’t have to cost you big bucks.
I have an around-the-room style layout with about 200’ of main line, with plans to add another 100’ or so. It’s currently set up for one operator, although I may provide for a second for those occasions when one is available. Control is DC, with only a pair of wires to the track, although I’ve wired passing sidings and staging tracks so that I can park locos or complete trains when and where required. Running a train requires the full attention of the operator, so only one train is in motion at a time - DCC would be a waste of money for me. Probably close to half of my rolling stock is old Athearn blue box and similar stuff, although it’s all been upgraded (and the enjoyment derived from doing that upgrading didn’t cost a lot, either). [;)]
With careful attention to trackwork, a reliable power pack, and a good-quality loco, you can have lots of fun, and the rest, with some ingenuity,
MILW-RODR,
I am building a large DC railroad. 800 sq ft, double decked, 8 scale mile double track mainline, four to six trains running at once, signals, etc.
Sounds like you are off to a good start in the hooby, take your time, learn what you like and don’t like.
Learn about older control systems and about DCC, then when you are ready for something bigger, you will know what is right for you.
Forget what people say about DC requiring someone to “sit and flip switches” for mulit train operation. Those who say that have never seen any of the better DC wiring methods at work. There are lots of DC wiring schemes that allow each operator to assign his/her track sections as they move around with their train. No diffeent than DCC operators having to throw turnouts and make sure they don’t run into each other.
Without computer operation, one operator running more than one train on the same route is difficult - DCC or DC. With a properly designed control system two operators can move two trains safely around on DC or DCC, with ease.
Sheldon
My MR is 24x24’ in my garage–fairly extensive, but comfortable enough for me to run. I use DC, and the layout is controlled by an MRC Controlmaster 20 and divided into about 8 mainline blocks, plus several blocks for my yard and engine facilities. I run block feeders about every 3 feet on the mainline trackage and have fairly smooth operations. My minimum radius is 34", maximum grade is 2.25%.
I’m pretty happy with the DC control, since I usually only run one train at a time–my op sessions are done in ‘real’ time, so that theoretically there would only be one or two trains on my mainline per hour (in my mind, my MR ‘schedules’ around 26 trains per day). Since I don’t really NEED to run multiple trains, DCC really doesn’t seem necessary to me. Besides, I run all steam, and 98% of that is brass, and I keep hearing that brass doesn’t really convert that well to DCC without major work.
Right now I’m installing operating upper-quadrant semaphore signals on the layout, so I’m quite happy with DC operations the way that they are. I’m not putting DCC down, mind you, it’s just that it doesn’t really seem necessary to my layout.
Tom
I have been back in the Hobby for about two years… DCC is great no doubt about it , I am still happy with DC, I have a small 4x9 layout N scale, I have a MRC dual control with an ez track layout … this allows me to run two main lines at a time … I beleive if I would do any addations to my layout I would want to go to DCC… I would think for the project your looking at starting DC would meet your needs, Good luck with the job issues …
Heh, job issues. You’d think working at a place that makes butt paper and paper towel would mean the best friggen job security in the world.
Back to the post, two feeder wires from the power pack to the track is all I’ll really need? What gauge wire. I know I have a spool of wire laying around some where that would be enough to wire my entire layout with feeder wires to every piece of track and the turn outs, but it’s for high powered audio speakers so it’s a thicker gauge. I really need to find it but it’s right around 12 gauge, no bigger than that. The power pack is an old Railpower 1400, or Tech II it’s got moth moniquers on it. There was some post where I asked if it would be worth the 10 bucks for and one person said snatch it up, he bought one new and was still using it. Unfortunetly, after the weekend it went up to 15 bucks. One of these days when I have an extra 20 I might go see if the LTS still has the other Tech II that had momentum and brake controll for 18 bucks, which was 15 before that same weekend.
The layout itself I’m still messing with, trying to play around with 2 quarter sheets of 1/4 inch plywood to see what would be the easiest configuration to use DC. At first all my turn outs will be manual but I would like to make the layout easy enough to get to them so if I wanted to convert to electric turn outs it wouldn’t be that difficult. My first plan had all manual turn outs to keep it more involved but them I went to the LTS and they had these cool looking swi
I’d guess that my two feeders are #16 and they’re only 3’ or 4’ long. All of my track was soldered together, with electrical gaps cut later, where needed. I’m using an MRC Tech 20 for power, and have had over a dozen locos running at one time, with no shortage of power.
Wayne
My first large layout was a modular layout which ran around the walls of a 25’ X 50’ basement. I had a single track main line with several long passing sidings. I used two MRC 20 power packs. I used 12 ga buss wire with comon ground. I only had two main line power packs so I used toggle switches for each block. I had a small yard which also had an old MRC power pack. I soon realized that adding additional main line blocks was going to be a small fortune in switches and wire,
I swithced to Digitrax DCC and have never looked back. I am again building a large baseent layout, but only have two 12 ga buss wires. I have wireless Digitrax so running a throttle buss is not an issue. By the way, my Digitrax Chief which I purchased 10 years ago is still going strong. I will be upgrading to duplex radio soon, however I will still be able to use my existing Digitrax system and throttles.