I’m new to the hobby and starting on my first module (4 by 3) of what will hopefully turn into an around-the-room layout over time. I’ve bought a DCC Enabled with Sound Loco and the MRC Prodigy Express system to run the locomotive with. It seems very simple to hook up except I have some very basic questions.
How do I attach the wire from the DCC system to the track itself? I know I need to connect a wire to each rail and I see where they connect to the power pack, but do I need to soder them or is there a “soder-free” way to do it? I don’t currently own a sodering iron, is why I ask.
Also, I don’t have a programming track and didn’t expect to have one for a while. The hobby shop said that it would work on my main line just fine, is that true?
You don´t state which track you are using, but the best method to attach wires to track is to give it a good solder job. A soldering iron does not cost much, and it is certainly one of the most used tools when building a layout.
Programming on the main is certainly no issue. Just to be sure, just leave the loco which you want to program, on the tarck and take the others off.
The MRC Prodigy Express has both a mainline and a programming track output. In your case I would buy some Bachmann EZ Track. This is what I use for my test setup. The rerailer/terminal track has a plug/cable for wiring the track. I happen to have a Digitrax system, but the logic is similar. I bought some EZ Track bumpers, straight track, and two of the rerailers/terminal tracks for the workbench. This gives me a programming track and a test track at the work bench. The test track is wired to the layout. When in dedicated programming mode, the output goes to the programming track. The included manual explains the setup.
Getting a $10 Soldering iron + $6 can of rosin paste + $3 thin wire tin solder from rat shack around the corner is your best bet.
Soldering it a valuable skill you will eventually have to learn how to do.
However they do sell plenty of track with clip pressure type connectors.
The programming track answer is “you may or may not need it”
It was created mainly for older decoders. The programming track supports page, register, and direct mode programming. It also has a lower voltage. This was done intentionally to protect the decoder incase it was wired up incorrectly by the owner.
Very few decoders require page or register mode programming today. But a few still do. Direct mode is the same as programming on the main except the former is again at a lower voltage to protect the decoder from bad installations.
Newer sound decoders REQUIRE a higher current/voltage because they suck up so much juice. So if you don’t have a booster for the program track, it’s better to use programming on the main track.
I happily ran my DCC/sound 2-8-0 around my track on the factory default settings for months before feeling the need to do any programming. Play with it awhile and find out what settings you like or don’t like. Also, as mentioned, you should be able to program on the main. The only thing I have programmed that had to be done on a dedicated track was the address. Still, I did set up a programming track on a 2x4 that I can set on the workbench, with the aforementioned Bachmann EZ track and the plug-in rerailer/terminal track. I also threw a Kadee coupler gauge on each end and use it to test rolling stock.
I use the Atlas terminal connector sectional track to connect my DCC unit to my layout.
I have a small layout {3.5 x 5.1feet} and really only need one set of feeders so the feeders are also connected with the terminal track segment. One section is a clip “plug and play” and the other is a screwed terminal connection. I expect to add another set of feeders and will also use another piece of sectional terminal track.