Excuse me for being out of touch, I have been overseas for an extended period of time, but does anyone still run block controlled model trains operated with a controller verses DCC (not sure what its called), assigning a number for each engine and controlled with a walk around controller?
Sires9094 - Welcome to trains.com! [C):-)]
Welcome to the forums and back this side of the pond.
Yes, many people still operate using DC. DCC is growing, as people rebuild layouts, some are changing over and I expect new layout builders are using it more… Some time ago there was an article or post indicating that DCC was still used on less than 10% (if iI remember correctly). I expect that has changed some.
DCC has many operating advantages and the ability to have sound and other things controlled electrically is a plus. At the moment its big disadvantage is the cost. I think cost is coming down, relatively, but if you have DC controllers, there is still plenty of material out there for you to use. Also, there are a number of up and comming items that you can use to have sound in your DC locomotives.
There have been articles on wiring a layout so that you could convert from DC to DCC at a later date.
Have fun,
Richard
Yes, many people do, although I’m not one of them. Personally, I think DCC is the wave of the future. I can do things with DCC that I could never hope to accomplish with block wiring. But maybe that’s because, as an electrician, I’m a pretty good plumber.
Thanks for your informative reply. I am actually on the other side of the other pond in SE Asia. Anyway I figured it would be the cost to holding it back. I was asking because before I had to go overseas for work I was doing custom painted HO engines, before DCC and have a stock of engines I never sold. Someone told me the only way I could sell them was to convert all to DCC, but due to the expense and I did not believe everyone was using DCC (you said about 10%) so its not everyone and I did not do it. So I may hunt up a show or two to sell my stock since I have no time to do much of that anymore.
Cowman 10% of the model Railroads are still DC? That is socking! I would think at lease it be 50 50 by now.
Sires besides the cost of a decoder cost is about the same.
I was pricing MRC transformers (not the cheap starter set kind) for a person that asked about the same question. What I used before I went DCC was the MRC 9500 throttles and they are great! There list prices was $160.00 so you should be able to find them new in the $120.00 range. I think the MRC 2400 throttles where around $100.00, so you could find them around $60.00. Then you would need the switches so you can block sections of track, that is more $.
You can buy a good up upgradeable DCC system for $160.00 that will do just about anything you need. Plus you do not need to buy any switches and will use less wire.
Before I went DCC I was running 2 MRC 9500’s and had 3 power blocks. It took me a whole 5 minutes to go DCC. Solder the 2 set of power wires from the MRC 9500’s together, hooked them to my DCC system and I was done.
Far as DCC being the future, it is the present. The future is engines that run on rechargeable batteries, radio controlled and no power to the rails!
By the way [#welcome] to the site.
Cuda Ken
I do agree with Cuda Ken on all of his observations. However, being an ol’ fashion guy I’m still using DC with block control on a small 4x8 layout, but as Cuda Ken said, DCC isn’t the future it is the present.
Wayne
Welcome to the forums[#welcome].
The non-DCC power system (or pre-DCC power system) is referred to generically as DC, or analog DC. There are variants:
- One-train, one block - the classic loop around the Christmas tree and its more sophisticated variants. Fine if you’re only going to operate a single train at a time.
- two-train, two controllers, AKA cab control. This is tha variant most people think of when they say DC, with a two (or three) position toggle switch for each electrical section. The third position, where present, is center-off.
- MZL - each train has a controller, but most electrical sections are powered through contacts on the switch machines. Somewhat complex to design and wire, simple to operate.
- Many blocks, many controllers - and a whole lot of rotary switches to (try to) keep the correct controller connected to the assigned train.
- etc…
For someone who is just starting a new layout, doesn’t have a previously-established preference and doesn’t have a huge stable of non-decoder-equipped motive power the easiest way is to go DCC to start with. OTOH, the older systems still work.
Chuc (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - analog DC, MZL)
Sires9094:
Your question cannot be answered in simple terms.
First, if you are going to convert your stock of engines to DCC, are they DCC friendly or not. DCC friendly means that a decoder can be installed without having to modify the engine. For example, is the motor electrically isolated from the frame? If not, there is a bit of work to do to safely install the decoder.
Second, are you a reputable retailer or not?! Decoders can be had for cheap, but you get what you pay for. Any self respecting purchaser is going to ask what decoder is installed, and if it is low end without many features they may pass.
Third, do you want to install sound decoders? Sound equipped locomotives will command a premium price but the decoders cost a lot and are usually complicated to install. Fitting speakers can be difficult. Competing with factory equipped DCC sound locos could be a losing proposition.
Bottom line is, if you have some attractive well painted DC locos, I would sell them as is. I am into DCC but I have purchased lots of DC locomotives with the intent of installing my own decoders. I feel that I am further ahead to purchase a reliable DC unit and then upgrade it to my own standards rather than take a chance on questionable aftermarket DCC installations.
Dave
I have between 300-400 engines and use the MRC 20 DC controller. with walk around. Not about to change over to DCC.
I can run 3-4 powered engines in consist with no problems as long as they are close to speed match. I also have about 20 dummy units if i like to see more than one engine running. Can also use them at the rear for helpers. Steam and diesel.
About 30 of my engines are New DC/DCC Sound. Qsi, Blueline, Paragon, and Paragon2, Broadway limited and Atlas. They run on DC and DCC. With the $50.00 add on sound controller i can get all the sound i want and can program as much as i need. Almost all were purchased new with factory installed systems between $95.00 - $120.00. SD40-2, SD9, 8-40cw, PRR M1a, NYC Hudson, Ac6000, SD35, C420, NW J. just to name a few.
Dc is long from being dead. Most new equipment today is duel mode DC/Dcc for a reason.
Bob
There is plenty of DC still around. You should have no problem selling your locos.
If you’re planning on selling the engines, I wouldn’t bother to convert them. Just be sure the buyer knows that it’s a DC engine that they can convert if they choose.
Last thing I heard (not sure where, one of the model railroad magazines?) that DCC is still a minority but it’s more like 40-45% and growing.
For you own modelling, keep in mind that it is much easier to wire a layout for DCC than DC, because you don’t need to divide the track up into blocks with separate toggle switches etc. Except for reverse loops (which you can automate so you don’t need to throw a switch to change polarity) your layout can just be one big block and you can run engines completely independent of other engines on the track at the same time.
Plus you don’t have to use walkaround, several companies make nice “base” units with one or two speed and direction controllers, function buttons etc. all in one unit.