O.K. Rail Fans, this is a two part question ,first i would like to find out how many of you are using dcc of some kind on your layouts now , and which system that you are using ? second part is this ! has anyone ever tried to put the cctv systems into their layout plans / i asks these questions , because we here at the P.A.N. R.R. are getting ready for the convention in reno now but when we get home these two project will be undertaken , and this list has always been full of freindly advice , so we are asking which dcc system everyone that has one likes ! as like most modelers we don't want to buy junk ! so thanks for all your advice in advance , KEVIN C.E.O. P.A.N. R.R.INC.
O.K. , so what is the over all cost one should expect to pay , for say a starter kit as well as decoders for about 25 loco's ? and has any one ever used cctv close circuit tv for watching trains in hidden spots ! Kevin C.E.O. P.A.N. R.R. INC.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BNSF1079: O.K. , so what is the over all cost one should expect to pay , for say a starter kit as well as decoders for about 25 loco's ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> starting at 1 kidney, an arm and both legs.. but if you buy it all together you should get away with your first born son as a deal..
well that leaves me out ,i don't have any kids ! can someone lease me one ? Kevin C.E.O. P.A.N.R.R. INC.
Digitrax Chief w Infared Happy Railroading! Dane N. I will lease you my cousin ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com
I have a North Coast Engineering Power House Pro System. It cost about 400.00 but it is great. I know it seems like a lot of cash but the technology is worth it, I think. It sure is nice being able to control so many more aspects of each loco. Lights, beacons, etc... And the set up is not that hard.
I have the North Coast Engineering Power House Pro System also. It's the ONLY purchase I EVER made in my whole life that left me with the feeling that "I could not have made a better choice!" I bought 2 procabs (hammer heads) with encoders, and will upgrade them to the radio control when they come out this summer. There are several people in my area with the digitrax radio control units, and they are ALL very happy with their choices also. I almost bought the digitrax, and had my mind made up to get one, but our local shop had LENZ, Digitrax, Wangrow, NCE, and MRC units for sale, so I owed it to myself to play with them all first. What sealed the deal was programming decoders, and consists. It don't get any easier than on the NCE or Wangrow. The only catch was I would have to wait until summer until the radio control is for sale. ------------------ Robert Ray The NP & UP N-Scale Railroad
o.k. , what is the price range between the NCE system and Digitrax's doe's anyone know? also do they have a web site (NCE) / please post it if they do as i would like to check it out as our local hobby shop has never heard of it ! Kevin C.E.O. P.A.N. R.R. INC.
I paid just a little five bills for my Digitrax Chief w radio. I also got a few upgrades over the regualar starter system like the DCS 200 instead of the DCS 100 command statons / booster. The DCS 200 is a 8 amp booster whereas the DCS 100 is a 5 amp booster. I also purchased a power supply from Digitrax and a few decoders (a couple DN142 and a DN147A for my Atlas SD60. I purchased all my DCC equipment from Southern Digital in Georgia. Their web site is http://www.sodigi.com . They are a GREAT bunch to deal with. I am sold on doing business with them. In fact, I would do business with these guys over some one local even if it's a few bucks more!!. To get other detailed info also check out Digitrax's homepage at http://www.digitrax.com. What sold me on Digitrax was the the newtwork design and the varierty of add on products available for it. It works extremely well. I have not yet mastered mine but one does not need to master eveyting to enjoy this system. Later this year I read that Digitrax is coming out with a two way radio system. That would be neat.....what would I do with the one I have now..oh yeah, my son needs a throttle Matt
Has anybody tried Signal Research Roadmaster Train Controller? http://www.signalresearch.com/ Look at their site, If you were to maybe start with this and you don't have a lot of blocks? I would believe DCC would be better if you wanted functions. Help me out N'ers. What do you think?
You would have to wire up several blocks to operate a layout. This involves alot of wiring. DCC also requires some wiring but it is much more straight forward. Also, It does not state that you could operate multiple locomotives independantly in the same block. With this system there is no way to operate multiple locos indepedently in the same block. This unit is controling the power to the block (track) and not the loco. With DCC power to the track is constant. The decoder on the loco controls the loco and all functions. It is more precise control. As far as the motor burn up and "hum" stated on their web site....the hum occurs only with analog (no decoder installed) locos running on DCC systems. The hum will not harm the motors if the loco is not left on the system for an extendend period of time. As far as burning out the motor? If the proper amperage is used on the track and the proper amperage decoder is installed correctly on the loco, DCC should not cause a motor to burn up. Final point, the cost. This system is not cheap!! It is priced at the same level as the Digitrax chief with less control and less features. There is no walkaround throttle available for this unint yet, they have one in the works. Also, forget about Infra red or radio control. Keep in mind that the Chief is Digitrax's top of the line starter set. You can get into DCC for less cash than this system and the Chief. To DCC right and depending on the size of the layout, you may want to include a copuple of seperate power supplys and controllers. There are a lot of ways to setup DCC on a layout. Research the possibilites and plan your system with that knowledge. DCC is still the way to go. My preference is Digitrax. There are other high quality systems available. My opinion is to stay far far away from the "Roadmaster" Matt
After an in depth evaluation of DCC my Ntrak group has opted to not install DCC. The vote was very lopsided. Many reasons for this but in general the final analysis was that the cost to benefit ratio was extremely poor and other needs had priority. Individual members are permitted to use DCC whenever it is their running time. But they must also use their own DCC system. Currently only 2 out of the 30 members have gone into DCC and both are using the MRC system.
Generally for a club to go to DCC it has to be new. I have heard alot about clubs spend tons of $$ to convert to DCC. My total costs came out to less than $900 Canadaian, so it was practical, but DCC when you are paying $$10 000 isn't quite so practical! Not only that, ussually there are alot of club members with non-DCC ready locomotives, so there goes more money to get different decoders! Happy Railroading! Dane N. ------------------ TAMR2860-AKA BC Rail King TAMR2860@Canada.com for TAMR info. To send a general TRAIN! E-Mail send to BCRailKing@Canada.com
I use the Digitrax "Genesis" system. I recommend it as it's the lowest priced system with advanced features. (The MRC is cheaper, but has almost no features). If you shop around a bit you can pick-up a "Genesis" for about $180.00. Plus it's easily upgradeable. I am soon to purchase a DT100IR throttle which will upgrade my system to an "Empire Builder" instantly. I think you have to balance the cost vs. the features, and you'll pick Digitrax MOPAC 1
I use the Lenz 01 with an 8 amp powersupply. I love it. I unpacked it, wired the power supply, the command station and the booster, wired it to the tracks, put a loco on the tracks and hit forward and it ran. I even have operating marker lights that I can turn on and off. It cost a shade under $500.00 including powersupply and 1 decoder. I've since bought another "engineer" throttle and a bunch of stationary decoders to operate some remote turn-outs. It's true walk-around. Very easy to program and the manual looks like it was not written by someone with an advanced degree from MIT. Very user friendly!!! ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
BNSF1079- sorry for the extra post but I just noticed your town. You've got a huge train store in Panellas(sp?) out side of St. Pete, near the Skyway. I don't remember the name but they bill themselves as FL's largest train store. Only problem is they sell everything at list. Also over in North Palm Beach there's a really savvy guy called Caroll Duffy, he ownes The Train Connection 561-842-2707. Deals in Lenz and Zimo. He offers about 15% off. As for actual purchase and even more information I'd look at Tonys Train Exchange. in Essex Jct VT. look for him at ttx-dcc.com VERY GOOD pricing and lots of know-how. All these places are good to suck brain. BTW my daughter is planning on Eckert College this fall, and of course Mom & Dad will have to visit. We'll talk more as we get closer. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine.
