Opinions on the Roco DCC systems ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Anyone have any ?

2

While I don’t own one, I hope to buy one soon. I’ve been told they are as user friendly and beginner friendly as can humanly be. However, the instructions are all in German. Also, service may be harder to get. Try emailing these guys:
http://www.roco.com/

On a week day, they usually respond to emails in the time it takes for me to eat my lunch!

3

May make sense if you live in Germany or Austria, or near by.

In the USA, it make sense only if you are the type of person who likes things with no local support.

4

I have no experience with Roco DCC, but as a company Roco has had several ups and downs over the past couple of years.

First, the owner passed away and his widow took over management of the company. The first thing she announced was that all exports to the US would cease.

Then she relented and started allowing some models to be sold in the US after some outside investors became involved in the management decisions. There is an official branch in the US known as Roco USA, but I think they are only the importers and have no say in business decisions in Austria.

As far as their DCC system is concerned, my big question would be whether it complies with the NMRA DCC Standards and Recommended Practices – it not, you might be stuck with having to use only Roco decoders.

And what happens if the owner suddenly changes her mind and decides that she will no longer allow exports of DCC systems to the US or anywhere in North America?

5

From what I know the widow is no longer in charge of the company. It also complies with NMRA standards.

6

Thanks guys !

7

I had the Lokmaus2 (made by Lenz). Excellent and simple, without problems, but only had 5 functions. I believe that the new model is more complete.

8

I believe that Roco went bankrupt after investing heavily in a new, modern factory; but they were taken over last year by Modelleisenbahn GmbH.

They have a very good reputation in Europe, on a par with Marklin and Fleischmann, and their DCC system is based on Lenz and is NMRA compliant.

I also know that the DCC starter sets in the U.K. DO have instructions in English as well as German! They are also very good value for money - e.g the BR218 two-train set (one with sound) complete with Locomaus controller/transformer, plus track with passing siding, for $269.95.

This New York dealer lists quite a lot of Roco: http://eurolokshop.com/store/roco-catalog-digital.html

[:)]