Well I’ve done it. I have join the list of retirees!! With the downsize of a paycheck comes the downsize of housing, which mean the old layout has to go.That’s a bad thing. The good thing is I get to start from scratch which mean DCC!!! I need some help. Which system is best for me. I want to run multiple engines…I have close to 100. I have new Athearn, old Athearn, Broadway, Bowser, Kato, some with sound. Some are plug in ready to go some like the old Athearn’s will need some serious bench time.I want to run reverse loops and turnouts. I want a roundhouse and turntable, a transfer table with 1 extension.I want to be cordless so I can walk around when my legs are up to it, but when there not I’ll need some kind of a console where I can sit. I see my layout against 3 walls free standing down the middle to a 4x8 island. Best of all I want something VERY EASY to understand. My vcr (yes I still have one) doesn’t blink 12:00 but it’s pretty close. I could break down, clean, and reassemble my M-16 in total darkness, but I did it every day. I won’t be running trains every day. So I want to stress I NEED IT EASY TO USE AND UNDERSTAND!!!
How many do you intend to run at one time? 4?, 6? 9? I have 53 myself but I usually don’t have but 4 or 5 on the layout at once. For me the Digitrax Zephyr works just fine. It puts out 2.5 amps, can run locos on 10 different addresses at once according to the manual, has CV readback so I can see at a glance what a CV value is or confirm CV values after they’ve been programmed and much more.I usually run locos in consists of 2, sometimes 3 and have no problems with it.
A little more info…
The railroad I model, Bessemer & Lake Erie, Has triple numbers, so I would want to be able to call up each loco using the road number. I thought I read that one DCC unit uses a 4 digit address.I have read every book on DCC, have read up on most units available, but as there is no hobby shop within 100 miles and that one does not have a DCC layout operating, I have come with questions in hand. Most of the time the consist would be three locos. For example, If I’m running a couple SD45T-2 consists we might be talking 6 to 9 loco’s right there running continuously while switching and yard work would be going on. I might want a system that gives me the ability to run 12-15 at a time even though that may happen once or twice. I also want a system that can grow with me. I know that the old Athearn (1980’s)motors draw a great deal more amps than the newer genesis, and I should total up my amps but at this point I will be running the newer models until I get the older Athearn repowered which number close to 50,but can I run the old Athren, without a decorder, in a consist with newer loco’s? I have about 20 genesis F7’s A and B’s and about 30 old Athearn of the same. As long as the amps are under what the system is rated for can the genesis with the decorder kind of just pull the older Athern? Thanks for your imput
The 2 digit/4 digit thing you read about is in reference to how the decoder internally stores the address. The actual number of digits in the loco’s cab number doesn’t much matter. The alternative terms of “short address” and “long address” might make more sense but don’t give any clue as to what they actually are. Because the two address types re actually related to the internal computer bits, a “2 digit” address isn’t necessarily anything less than 99, it can actually go to 127. Some systems do this, some stop at 99. The “4 digit address” is then either 100 and up, 128 and up, or in some systems ANY number from 1-over 9000. Most of my locos have 3 digit cab number, but all my switchers are 2-digit cab numbers. So I have road engine 633, and switcher 53. The thign is, this is all invisible when selecting a loco - you don’t need to know that a particular address is a long or short address. I want to run 53, I key in 53. I want to run 633, I key in 633. The process to select and run a loco is simply to key in the number on the side. The differentiation comes once - when you program the address into the decoder. Most systems automate this part of the programming process - you select if you are programming a 2 digit or 4 digit address, key in the desired value, and all the required settings are configured for you. Depending on the system chosen, you cna use a free computer program called JMRI which has a modul called DecoderPro which makes it easy to program the decoders, you select options with check boxes and dropdown lists and the program handles all the required Configuration Variables. And it stores the information in a database for future reference.
NCE and Digitrax have probably the most ‘growth’ oriented system. With either one, you can start with their most basic system and utilize every component when you expand to the giant club-size system later. Nothing gets tossed out or relegated to the junk drawer because it was part of the ‘starter’ set and no l
Thanks Randy,
I Had it basically narrowed down to Digitrax, NCE, or MRC. With the ability to add on to the system and not having to junk pieces Digitrax and NCE just shot to the top of the list. I’m old (upper 50’s) and with years squinting thru a rifle sight the old eyes aren’t what they used to be, so the bigger display will be a big help. It looks like I need to find a club or store that have one or both that I can watch(or use) in action. Hopefully,at my age, other than maybe a 2nd car, this will be the last major purchase of my life. I have set aside $2,500.00 for the purchase of a DCC system and all the decoders for my newer loco’s so I need to get it right and to get it right I need to get a controller in my hand and see which one I like best. If anyone know a hobby shop or club in the Cleveland,Pittsburgh, or Buffalo area that might have a Digitrax or NCE system please let me know. One last question…The closest hobby shop for me is in the above mentioned cities but “where is the best place for 1.)service, 2.) after the sale help, 3.)return/exchange, 4.) price”. Wish we could sit down over cocktails and talk DCC I think I could learn alot from you. Thanks again Randy
Given these two things. I might suggest you look at CVP Easy DCC. I really like the console that has two built in throttles. The console control concept is based on cryptic English like its Railcommand predicessor. I am not certain I ever even opened the manual except when I was figuring out how to write my own computer interface a function way beyond what most people want to do.
Likewise the wireless system is top notch. I use CVP wireless with my Lenz DCC system. It remains my favorite of all the wireless systems I’ve used. The limitation is that there can only be 8 wireless throttles.
http://www.cvpusa.com/easydcc_system_command_station.php
Oh yeah, one other draw back is that the console uses a battery to remember things between times when the power is turned off. The battery needs to be replaced every 2 years.
Thank you for your service. 20+ in the Marines is not a small feat.
I personally prefer the Digitrax system over the NCE. NCE uses decimal numbers to program the CVs only. This is no biggy really, the Digitrax now uses both decimal and hex for its programing. I understand hexidecimal so I really didnt use that as a decision factor.
The Digitrax system to me seems better thought out in terms of the system bus. One bus runs both the throttles and the other units such as block detection, stationary decoders, signaling, power management, and many other units. using JMRI and your PC to further enhance your railroad with turnout control and block detection is also a huge plus. With the PC link and JMRI you can easily set up turnouts in a yard to switch at the same time to line up routes without using a diode matrix or a resistor matrix to control the turnouts. Granted the turnouts need a stationary decoders but usually one stationary decoder will handle 2 or 4 devices depending on the decoder. I like also that I can control 2 trains per throttle which works really nice when you are working a yard or an idustry with more than one engine. and switching between engines is as simple as just turning the throttle knob for that engine.
Digitrax just added 2 way communication to their radio sets which allow you to aquire and drop locomotives without plugging into the system bus. These do cost a little more but the extra expense is worth it. Also Digitrax offers 3 main systems, the Zephyr, Super Empire Builder, and Super Chief.
The Zephyr is the starter set that is very functional but limited in the number of addresses and amps. It has CV readback.
The Super Empire builder is a basic set that can be duplex equipped or just radio equipped. It can also be upgraded later as you expand your lay
If Buffalo isn’t far then you’re probably not far from Empire Northern in Webster (basically next door to NCE). Tim Smith runs it and he is quite knowledgeable about DCC and has good prices (I’ve ordered some of my stuff from him). He’s got a storefront as well as internet business.
I will be in western PA over Labor Day weekend - near Franklin. No hobbyshops near there that I know of though.
–Randy
The only Webster,NY I could find is just south of Rochester…about a 3hour and 2 casino drive away. I’m in North West Pennsylvania. Maybe I can send my soulmate shopping while I go take a look. Again Thanks