should i swich from dc to dcc?
To answer your question, only you can answer it for yourself.
Some questions you may ask yourself is:
Will I enjoy my trains more?
Am I willing to learn something new?
Am I willing to learn how to install decoders in locomotives?
What will be the initial expense of converting?
What locomotives do I have and how hard is it to convert?
Is my trackwork suitable?
I am not trying to scare you in any way, but these are questions that I asked myself when I was considering converting to DCC. At that time, I had only three good locomotives that were worth converting. These are smooth running in DC and were better in DCC. I now have 17 locomotive with more on the way.
There are numerous websites that show you some basic skills and help you get to know how DCC works. There are some Youtube videos where hobbyists have created tutorials.
Hope this helps and good luck in the future.
Wholeman,
A tip of my hat to you for answering this question in a straight forward and unbiased way instead of the usual “sales pitch” in favor of and then resorting to slams if there is any oppostion.
If more DCC users approached this matter in the way you have there might possibly be more interest in it, certainly less hostility towards some when this subject comes up.
Mark
Yes
I am glad I did. I have radio throttles and running trains is what I always wished it would be.
+1, I agree.
When I jumped back into the hobby 5 years ago I bought 3 DC only locos and when I went to plan and diagram wiring for my small HO layout, I quickly decided to check out this “DCC THing”. Glad I did. Essentially my whole layout could be one big electrical block {I have NO reversing loops or other trouble spots}; Essentially 2 wires connected to my layout would run it {I did some add feeders for extra boostage}; Essentially I could run 2-3 locos in any direction I wanted at the same time on the layout ; essentially With one controller I could program 18 locos to run on my one simple Bachmann EZ Command DCC controller {2 locos per address and as long as they are not on the layout at the same time I am fine} ; with the 5 amp booster I could run up to about 9 locos still with that same One controller {no need for multiple power packs} ; I can more easily consist 2 or three locos together than trying to speed match DC engines; I can easily have bought a system that would allow me to use sound if I like {I don’t care for sound though}.
We have Nscale DC trains taht run under the Xmas tree, and any more N scale we buy are going to be DCC installed as we are not good at installing such things. {My Other Half is into Nscale trains too}
So for those reasons and the ease of all that, I quickly choose DCC for my HO layout.
Maybe you will too.
My DC locos will soon be up for sale as I have no need for them.
Whether DCC is really good for you is a decision that only you can make after considering many aspects of the technology.
A good place to start is to learn what DCC is and what it can do for you by reading or downloading “DCC For Beginners” from the Tony’s Train Exchange website, and then visit different DCC manufacturers’ web sites and look at their decoder installation tutorials and examples, paying particular attention to N scale locomotive installs. Some are easy but most are probably not for you unless you have electronics experience and the necessary tools. Some places to begin are:
http://www.litchfieldstation.com
Aside from gadgets like sound, which are just nice to have, the key difference between DC and DCC is, that DC controls the power of the track, whereas DCC controls your loco. It may also improve the performance of an already good running loco, but will not overcome a bad performance. DCC also requires a little more care in laying your track, as it reacts quite nervously on voltage drops.
Is it worth the extra $$$ you will have to spend? My personal answer is a clear yes, as controlling the loco puts you in the engineer´s seat.
As crazy as it sounds I was DCC once for sound. and after a year I called “foul!” for several reasons and returned to DC…
Now,since having heard a N Scale Atlas GP9 equipped with sound and seen MRC’s Tech 6 I am thinking of equipping one of my GP9 with sound and use the Tech 6…
While I not exactly a DCC advocate nor am I anti DCC I will say this.DCC is and remains a modeler’s choice the he/she must make…
Wholeman has given you excellent advice read and study his reply and see if his experience will help you decide…
I don’t know.
Using the word “switch” implies that you already have an operating DC system. Is there something wrong with or overly complicated with the way it operates now? Asked another way: If you had a collection of VCR tapes and an operating VCR player that plays the movies as well as when they were new, would you bother converting them all to DVD’s? OTOH, if you’re starting from scratch, you’d just start buying DVD’s.
Both DC and DCC systems can be either simple or tedious in their own way, depending upon what you’re trying to accomplish with your layout.
Frankly, unless you are trying to avoid complicated DC wiring when constructing your layout, I don’t think it matters that much if you have either a dc or a dcc system.
If you have an operating system that works well now, I would spend my hobby time and money doing something else other than changing operating systems.
I love mine. I would quit the hobby before giving up DCC. - Nevin
If you are planning on building a large layout and hosting operating sessions or having three of four friends over to run trains, yes it will be worth it.
If you are not ready to do that right now, but maybe later on in a few years, then yes again. Because what you learn about it now will help you later.
Rob
Returning to the hobby four years ago, I never even considered using DC again.
If I was running DC now, the only hesitation I would have is cost. But, I’d rather have half an inventory of DCC locos than a full roster of DC.
Ian
I switched because I wanted wireless throttles. As a bonus I got simplified wiring and sound.
The major downside is the increased cost of DCC over DC including a DCC board in each of your locomotives.
Enjoy
Paul
If you have to ask you probably have been hiding under a big rock somewhere. DCC has been the biggest and best thing invented for the model railroad community.
TA:DCC has been the biggest and best thing invented for the model railroad community.
Nope not even close…
Without this one item we would have static or clock work models with no use for either DC or DCC…
The invention of the miniature DC electric motor.[:-^][(-D][(-D]
Megh…I think it was the invention of brass rails first…[:-,][:-^][(-D][(-D]
I love me my DCC…especially with sound…RS2’s with sound keep my little Spring off the layout…[swg]
this layout that i am building i am staying old school (dc) and not new school(dcc). that will be for a future layout
I’d say go for it, if you feel that the investment is justified for your layout as a whole.
I’ve only operated on DCC, and loved it, I’ve usually used Digitrax. I found that programming decoders and operating a train had been quite easy overall. I’d only consider DC if you’re going to run one train, by yourself, and you’re not likely to have friend’s over to operate. You can now equip locomotives with sound decoders to run on DC or DCC, but it looks like you get the full range of controls on DCC more easily then DC. Cost? Well DCC is not cheap sure, but with so many locomotives being easier to convert to DCC then before.