In the pictures you’ll see my shelf layout and the road bed that’s just been put down Im at a odd point and would like to hear some suggestions.
Im getting ready to ad the track and I want to do DCC but my engines will be needed to have that installed and Im wondering what way to wire the track I have trains Id can run with out DCC but it would need me to wire in blocks Im not sure how fast I might be switching over to DCC and its all new to me. I do have a Atlas starter DCC set with one decoder that was a gift from my wife about two years ago that’s brand new. I think it was purchased from tonys online dcc store.
Im hoping someone with more experience might make a suggestion or two on how to wire a layout for best results sort term and long term and any other insight youd like to offer to some one at this stage.
You can wire the layout as you would for DC. When you go to DCC, just set all the blocks to one cab, and wire the DCC unit to that. One of the beauties of DCC is that you eliminate so much of the wiring and switch-throwing of blocked DC.
A lot of it will depend on how many DC engines you have. If you have only a few, I’d strongly suggest going straight to DCC, and install decoders in those engines. If you have a large number and you may never fully leave DC, then wire for DCC with the understanding that you will have two sets of engines, and they’ll never run together.
There is cost and effort involved with converting engines to DCC, no doubt. But, there is also cost and effort involved in wiring a layout for blocked DC. It’s far more complex, and requires more components like toggles switches, etc., than DCC. So, with only a few engines, it may actually be easier and less expensive to go straight to DCC.
Hi and a good evening from the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, just near the Maine border.
I started 2 years ago with an 8 x 12 double track layout running DC. but shortly saw the advantages of DCC. As you already have a starter set, you only have to buy the decoders. yes, I know its more money but well worth the expensise. you can start with as few as 2 or 3 decoders and as you get mroe experience and available $$ you convert more. I don’t really like running my engines in DC modes on DCC.
I now have a larger layout with about 200’ of tracks and 15 engines converted to DCC. I run 3 trains at present and I am working on adding another booster to run another 2 -3
Believe me, just a neophite, I don’t regret the move at all. and would not go back to DC