I apologize for the long message. I am a long time O scale model railroader and I am now looking to build an HO layout. I could really use some advice on the different power manufacturers in the market. I am looking for the features that I have become familiar with on my Lionel Cab 1 system on my O scale layout. Which of the manufacturers of DC and DCC units has the most bang for the buck. I want to be able to run multiple trains and accessories on an 8’x16’ HO layout with all of the diesel engine sounds, bell, horn, trackside communications, electrocoupling, etc. Also, can a straight DC unit run the above functions or will I need a DCC system. Finally, which system is compatible with most diesel locomotive manaufacturers?
Since you haven’t started building yet,DCC is the most logical choice.All the hardware needed to setup block control that you’d need plus the extra complexity of all the wiring that goes along with DC makes DCC an obvious choice.Add to this all the functions you’d like,then DCC is a must.
As for brand of DCC,my personal choice is Digitrax.I don’t mean to say they are the best as I haven’t tried any other brand (read great things about NCE) but I like the fact that they keep their stuff constantly upgradable.You don’t have to throw your equipment away every time a new generation of equipment comes around.You have the option to have it upgraded for a reasonable fee and if you don’t want to,you can still use it with the newer material.
Count on about 0.5 amps for a typical HO locomotive with a sound system working moderately hard. You need to figure any other accessories, passenger car lights, structure interior and exterior street lighting…it all adds up. Most in HO use separate power supplies, one or more for track power, depending on need, and one or more for the accessories, including switch machines and any motorize devices/models. The track power supply should only power decoders and their slaves, and car lighting.
I would guess that you’re going to want about 6-8 amps of available track power, or maybe two 5 amp supplies, one base station and one booster.
Most modern sound and non-sound decoders are dual-mode, so they will sense if they are in receipt of either type of power. Some engines are meant for DC only, including their sound systems. Broadway Limited Imports has their BlueLine series that way. You won’t have all the features, nor be able to programme the decoders in the DCC engines with a DC system, but there are separate programmers for that purpose. I’ll let others talk about those.
All current “DCC” systems run all NMRA compliant decoders. Note that Mike’s Train House, or MTH, a relative new-comer to HO, uses their proprietary DCS system which has limited compatibility with DCC. Their DCS systems, as far as I know, are not capable of operating any D
If I was to purchase a Digitrax DCC system, what components would I need to buy to run my trains and accessories. Keep in mind I have nothing at the moment.
Just to clarify some of the answers you’ve received:
Although many non-sound equipped engines have dual mode decoders that allow you to run both DC and DCC, the reality (in my limited experience) is that some of them do not appear to operate that well. The decoders will sometimes exhibit “bad behavior” on DC. I believe that this has more to do with the DC power supply than the decoder itself. If your DC power supply puts out “pure DC”, then you should be okay. However, some power supplies put out a pulse which seems to cause problems.
In the case of a sound equipped engine on DC, they also do not necessarily respond well. This is because a large portion of the available output voltage is required to get the sounds fired up (say 6 volts out of an available 12). So the available control voltage range would then be 50% of normal.
Finally, if you are asking if a DC engine can be run at the same time as DCC engine, I believe that the answer to this is “maybe”. Some DCC systems allow the use of one DC engine while the others are DCC, others do not. How well that one DC engine will run will need to be answered by someone else who has tried it.
I only have experience with one DCC system purchase, and that was the older Super Empire Builder. That system comes with a single DT400 dual-throttle hand-held paddle, the DB150 base station, a decoder tester, and a Loco-net panel to allow you to plug a booster or another throttle in to the system at a distant location around your layout. It did NOT come with a power supply to power the layout. I purchased separately one of Digitrax’s own 5 amp power supplies. I don’t know what comes with the Zephyr, but it should be described on their site, or send an email to an etailer that sells the system and ask if no one responds here.
My system of choice is the NCE Power Pro. (5 amps) The system is upgradable by chip that you can replace without sending your system back. I have found that the NCE is easier to use and has larger buttons on the throttle. Now having said that, Digitrax is also a good system and I am using their signal and block detection boards.
One of the things that you should do is find out through your local hobby shop what DCC system is in the majority in your area. If you can, try and get invited to layouts that use the different DCC systems so you can get a feeling for them. Then you will be better equiped to make a decision on which system you want.
I would recommend a 5 amp Super Chief system, it comes with a throttle and a UP5 panel. On top of that you will need a power supply(get the Digitrax one) and a loconet cable to attach your UP5 panel. Your hobby shop should be able to make you one up to what ever length you need. You don’t need to hook up the UP5 panel right away as you can plug your throttle right into the Super Chief brain for now. Your probably going to want to add a few more of the UP5 panels as well but you can add them later.
The reason I recommend the Super Chief is because it can read back CV values which isn’t that important for you now but it will be for you in the future. The Super Chief is all you will ever need, even if you double the size of your layout and like all Digitrax products it’s expandable. If you want to run a wireless throttle later on in life you can just by buying the components you need.
I switched to DCC over ten years ago with a Digitrax Super Chief (radio) which came with a DCS 100 Command Station and a DT100R throttle. Both are still in operation. The nice thing about Digitrax is you can upgrade by addding additional equipment.
I would also recommend that you purchase a Digitrax PR3 which is a computer interface. With the PR3 you can program decoders with Decoder Pro (download from JMRI for free). With the PR3 and Decoder Pro you can also use your PC as a throttle.
Michael, you never said what kind of accessories? If you go to the Digitrax web site they have components listed for signals, turnouts, reversing loops and so fourth.
Far as cost, you cannot beat there Zephyr. Most retailers sell this set for $160.00. It has all you need in the box to start running trains. Friend (Simon 1966) brought over a Zephyr for me to try before I bought a system. What I did not like was I was land locked. As is from Digitrax you cannot walk around your bench and run the trains. Yes, I could buy a DT400 (now replaced with the DT402) hand unit or there UT4 hand unit (I do not like the small buttons) and a UP 5 plug in port for the throttle. But, by the time I buy all of the extra stuff I would have spent the same amount as a Super Empire Builder and only have 2 amps of power vs 5 amps. 2 amps will run up to 8 engines.
In your other question about HO, I stated I want to run 2 trains on the same main and be able to control then with ease. Zephyr was no easier to use than the Bachmann E-Z command I was all ready using. Plus I could not walk around the bench and run the trains.
So I went with the Super Empire Builder, with the power supply I spent $300.00.
Now, people will point out you cannot read CV’s with the SEB, but you can with the Zephyr, that is true. Reason I did not care is because I got a PR 3.