I’m building a medium sized layout, about 20’ by 15’. I am wondering which DCC system I should rig up, MRC, NCE, Digitrax…? What is the main difference between these three systems? My father and I had a layout back when I was younger, but that was just a DC system. What is the better system for a beginner? I would have to convert all my 90’s locos to DCC. Which decoders should I buy? I’m not too concerned about running sound, I just want to be able to control locos individually.
Thank You.
What ‘Brand’ really has nothing to do with which is better. All three brands are good. What you need to consider are:
I have lots of older engines that I will never convert - I have one Athearn BB engine that I converted. I have not converted any of my brass, and most of my engines are Atlas/Kato/P2K or Athearn ‘RTR’ that have some kind of DCC decoder socket. I have ‘hard wired’ about a dozen engines. I have used Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, TCS, and Soundtraxx decoders with no big issues. Most older Athearn engines really are not worth the time to upgrade/add DCC.
Myself, I have a Digitrax DCS100 ‘Super Chief’ system and it has worked great for the past 10+ years. One thing that is important to me is easy programming - I use Decoder Pro(free) on an old PC to program my engines - You need to have a computer interface on the system you choose if you are looking for ease of programming.
Jim
Welcome
This question has been asked many many times. The only one that can answer your best system question is yourself. There are too many questions that need to be answered here. Walk around? wireless? tethered? amp power needed? route control? There is no best system out there. What works good for someone will probably be too much or too little for another. Since all the systems do basically the same thing it is the throttle you hold in your hand that is the important consideration. How it feels in your hand and the layout and feel of the buttons and knobs to you is the important thing. If you can, go to train shows with modular groups and look and ask them to hold a throttle or even a DCC hobby shop that has different systems to try.
Don’t forget about Lenz. They make a great system also. CVP is another.
As for decoders. I prefer to go with Train Control Systems. TCS makes great decoders with excellent motor and lighting control. Lenz and Loksound would be my next choice for motor control.
Pete
I plan on modeling the Union Pacific coal lines in Wyoming. So I will be running at least two trains simultaneously with 3 or 4 locos each. Plus I want to be able to do yard work at the same time. I have done some research (hobby stores, train shows, etc.) and I have come to like the MRC Prodigy Advance^2. I like the feel and layout of the controller. Plus, they have the computer interface you can run as well.
As far as locos, I meant that I have about 12 locos from the 1990’s. Is there a particular reason why you never converted them? I know I want to at least convert my Kato and Rivarossi locos, but I have a few of my athearn locos that I would like to convert. Eventually I will be getting new locos, like the Kato Dash-9 and AC4400, which I am guessing they would be DCC ready. So from what I understand I will just need the ‘drop-in’ decoders, correct?
Is it necessary to use the same brand decoder as your system, or can you mix and match?
I guess overall, I would like to have the capacity to run 15 locos simultaneously. So would 3.5 amps (MRC Prodigy Advance^2) be enough or would I need the 8 amp booster?
Thank you for your time.
Mike
O/O McDermid Transportation
Oconto Falls, WI
The best system is the one I am using. Nothing but the best.
David B
Mike,
You are looking at having 12-15 engines ‘active’ at the same time, with at least 3 throttles. Figuring ‘new’ engines - about 14 to 1/3 amp each(no sound). The early Kato’s can be converted quite easy with special ‘drop in’ decoders that replace the existing ‘light board’. Rivarossi - Are you talking ‘steam’? The old Rivarossi diesels are pretty grim - 3 pole motors and deep flanges. With DCC you really want ‘all wheel’ electrical pickup. Most new engines have a NMRA 8 pin or JST 9 pin plug/socket for the decoder to plug into. And you can mix/match brands of decoders.
As far as total power - 3.5 amps may do - 5 amps will more than handle your needs. I have 10 amps(5 amp command station and 5 amp booster) of power and usually have 6-8 DCC/Sound engines active - complete overkill.
Computer Interface - The MRC systems have one, but it will not work with Decoder Pro. It only works with MRC’s own proprietary PC software.
Jim
Jim,
First of all, thank you for all your advice.
I have a 4-8-8-4 (Big Boy) steam from Rivarossi that I would like to convert.
So what is the Decoder Pro? Is it basically just a program for setting up your locos? Or is it an actual interface for controlling your system? Sorry, this is very new to me.
So if you were to start all over again, which system would you get? Would you stay with Digitrax sys, or go another direction?
Mike
and what is that?
Hi Mike,
We use MRC Prod as a controler they great, up to a doz low amp locos(we have up to 10 or 12 on 4 or5 hand sets on a 16 X8 exhibition laout that has a lot of switching, so I’d say you could do with the booster. We like the Prod because it has both knob and button use( there’s always one awkward sod).
Unless your locos are DCC ready with a socket I’d do power checks to see what Amps they pull, if your big en has a cann motor on prob, if it ain’t, look out it could be well over the 1 amp rating of most chips. Most sound chips will do, with some loco spersific plug and plays that are great, it’s speaker that can be a problem although Kato and Athern are starting to see sence and casting cones in tanks.
I had a it of bother trying to program with MRC’s and was told about Decoder Pro, a USB interfaced setup that can be used to program and control a loco. Now I am low case dislectic and manuals drive me nuts, it took months to get me head round it but I’m starting to see the light it is a boon as fas as configering lashups with Blue-band locos.
Be in touch.
pick.
Mike,
There have been numerous version of the Rivarossi Challenger over the years - some may have a DCC plug. If not, it will be a ‘hard wire’ job.
Decoder Pro is Java software program that allow one to program DCC models via their computer, and save the DCC configuration to the PC’s hard drive. It also allows one to monitor everything on your DCC system. It even has fast clocks & throttles built in. You will need an ‘interface’ to attach it to your DCC system. For Digitrax, there are several available(around $70, IIRC). For NCE, there are several different interface as well. MRC has a computer interface option, but you can only use their own software - They will not release the source so Decoder Pro can add MRC to their list of supported systems. Decoder Pro is constantly updated with new decoders as they come out. Trying to program complex features like speed tables or flashing ditch lights is very easy with this tool.
Decoder Pro is available as a FREE download from the following:
Jim
Jim,
I did a little research on the Digitrax and Lenz systems. I was impressed by the Super Chief, plus right off the bat it comes with the 5 amp power pack. Plus from what you are telling me I can get the computer interface to make it easier to set up my loco’s decoders with DecoderPro.
From what I understand I will need a programming track that I will need for two-way communication of the decoder and the controller. So is the DecoderPro interface a program that makes the whole process just that much easier to link up all my locos to the system?
Thank you,
Mike
I dont run DCC as of yet but when i do or if ever it will be Digitrax.
You didnt read your research properly. They do NOT come with power, rather a command station that supports 5 amps. You need to purchase a 5 amp power supply seperately.
Decoder Pro has a library of every decoder ever produced. It it a point and click interface that allows you to change anything in the decoder on the fly (while the train is running…programming track is only needed for changing the address…).
If you like Decoder Pro, then you can count out MRC as a candidate. Lenz, Digitrax, NCE are all good choices with future expanadability.
David B
Hey Dave,
So what are you saying is I will need to purchase the PS2012 20 Amp DCC Power Supply on top of the Duplex Equipped 8 Amp Super Chief Xtra Set?
I’m only asking because in the description of the starter set it states that it comes with the DCS200 Command Station 8 amp Booster. So that is not a booster that will power the entire layout?
Thanks,
Mike
I would pay to see that.[:-^]
Seriously, on a 15 by 20 layout, even with four units on a train, only two would need to be powered. And unless you have a whole club of operators, two or three trains is all you can keep track of without a crash.
When I bought my Digitrax 5 years ago it came with everything I needed to get things going. I bought the Super Empire Builder Starter set. I would buy it again if I were to start all over again. The system is so easy to wire and understand. Digitrax has a great manual and customer support. I have all brands of decoders and have never had a problem programming any of them. I had a small shelf layout then and it took me about 15 minutes to get this out of the box and wired up. It was really that simple and very straight forward. I had a 10’ Long x 2’ wide switching / industry layout. I run all sound locos and I had 8-10 locos idling and switching. No problems. I don’t know the technical electrical specs like amp draw and volts across the motors as I have never had a problem or needed to worry about it.
Figure .2A per loco (in actuality, this is a high figure…a Kato, for example, will only draw 0.05 amps). That would mean that you would run out of amps after you have 25 locos RUNNING at the same time on the layout.
A 5 amp power supply is all you will EVER need.
Now…terminology. You are mistaking “booster” with “powersupply”. A “booster” is nothing more than a power district controller. It allows you to segment your layout into sections and manage your amperage in that district. A “powersupply” powers the booster.
However, you will only need one booster to run your layout (in most cases). if you want to divide your booster’s power into individual districts, then you can just use something like a PM42. It is like dividing your booster into 4 parts…but allowing each part to have a chunk of your 5 Amps.
Confusing, I know, but you will get it.
Digitrax has Command stations and boosters and combos…
DCS100 (Super Chief) is a Digital Command Station with the capactiy of 5 Amps (if you use a 5 Amp power supply).
DB150 (Empire Builder) is a Digital Booster/Command station with the capacity of 5 Amps (if you use a 5 Amp power supply). In short, this is a Co
What can make things further confusing is that some manufacturers bundle the building blocks of the DCC system into the same box.
Power Supply…the thing that plugs into the wall and physically powers the entire system.
Command Station… the brains, receives signals from the throttles and delivers them out to decoders in the locomotives, does the programming etc.
Booster… directs the power and the command signals to the rails, as David points out, can be broken down into power districts. You can also have more than one booster working to provide coverage for a much bigger layout. Each booster can only be connected to its own isolated section of track.
Throttle… The human interface to the system, most systems will support many throttles, sometimes basic ones that can do little more than run a train, others sophisticated that can program and run all the command station features.
The Digitrax Zephyr and Xtra combine booster, command station and throttle into one box. The power supply plugs in as a separate item.
The Digitrax Chief and SEB combine the booster and command station with separate throttle.
The NCE PowerCab combines the booster and the command station into the hand held throttle with the power supply separate
and so on…
So remember that all these elements are present, but they may be bundled together.
Okay, so this is finally starting to make sense here. I have one more question though.
Digitrax offers the DB200+ which is s booster only and they also offer the DCS100/200 booster/command stations. Do I need to buy the booster command station combo or can I get by just getting the booster? Lets say I run my starter DCS100 for the main lines and then get another booster for the yard/staging area, does that have to be another command station/booster or can I use just the booster?
And with NCE ProCab, am I correct in saying that the command station is a part of the throttle and the boosters are just boosters themselves? So if I wanted to wire up the NCE ProCab I could just get another 5 amp booster along with the original 5 amp booster and I would be good to go?
Thanks, Mike
You must have a command station of some kind. In Digitrax world that can be the DCS50 or 51 (the Zephyr). Or the DCS100 (Chief) or the DB150 (SEB) all of which are combined command stations and boosters. If you want an extra booster the DB150 is the most economical way to go. When using a DB150 in conjunction with another command station if is configured as a booster only, disabling the command station feature as you can only have one command station in charge.
With NCE, the ProCab is just the throttle (The PowerCab is the combo throttle/command/booster) If you purchased a Power House Pro set, which includes the ProCab throttle and you wanted a 2nd booster NCE sells these for this expansion.