I am still in the planning stages for my next layout. My current layout is DC and working quite well for a single train. I will probably go with DCC for my next much larger layout, but I have a couple favorite locos that cannot be converted to DCC. Hence two questions;
If I start with a DC layout, how hard is it to convert to DCC?
Can I still run a DC loco on a DCC layout?
Cutter, I started with a DC layout that had to main lines that where blocked. Then I went DCC on the A Line and still ran DC on the B line. I used plastic rail joiners where turn outs hooked up so there where no shorts. I all so never let the trains cross over, that is a big No No.
Lot of DCC systems will run DC engines but most will make a awful humming sound.
Main thing that is different in wiring from DCC and DC is the thickness of the Bus wire to the feeders. In DC if you have power life is good. In DCC if Bus wire is to thin or to long (mainly thin) DCC booster will not shut down if you have a short and you let the smoke out of the decoder.
18 gage Bus wire will sever you well.
Cuda Ken
I believe there are two or three DCC systems that will run DC locos on DCC. I know the NCE stuff will not run DC only locos. I use NCE.
With a system that can run DC locos, be aware that you can only run one DC loco. The motor will buzz when running and even buzz when stopped unless you have a siding you can switch off.
If you run a DC loco into a DCC section running a DCC loco, you will probably get smoke from the DCC loco. Think mind wandering, yakking with someone. It happened in a club I belong to. It only cost about $100.00 to replace the sound decoder. There was also the necessity to program the decoder to what the former decoder was set up for.
Other than that, no big issues, though your mileage may vary.
Rich
I have a Digitrax system and you can run one non-DCC locomotive on a Digitrax DCC layout. I have some DC (passenger) locomotives which do not match my layout era but I like to run them on the layout from time to time.
I’ve never met a locomotive that cannot be converted.
Not. Remove the two wires from the DC power pack, connect the two wires to the DCC controller, Done.
Yes, some of the DCC units can do this, but you don’t want to. A few years ago Jeff Wimberly sacrificed some old DC locomotives to determine how long it would take to melt them down under DCC power. It was amazingly short. I believe one lasted only 8 hours.
Edit: Ok here is the thread. It was 2.5 hours to melt down with the throttle off. Would probably last much longer if not allowed to idle.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/105396/1222435.aspx#1222435