1. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Hi there,

    My name is Russ and I am a new member. I grew up over the pond and used HO locomotives in DC when I was a knee high to a grasshopper. I was a member of our local club which boasted a live steam track, and cool hand built locomotives due to the proximity of a local steel works and loads of guys with time on their hands. I then had a 35 year hiatus. Now I come back and find the joys of DCC... loads to learn anew.

    I travel a lot working 250 miles from my home in Dallas, TX and have no real residence I can set up a layout at. So I am grabbing various components and learning techniques ready to work on a layout when the time comes. As a new comer to DCC I have a load of dumb questions and have already learn a whole lot. Coming from the other side of the pond the terminology is different as I guess you know. Things you take for granted growing up here I am learning. As an example a car here I called a truck, and a truck here a bogie in the UK. May be I was told wrong in my youth. Whatever, I am enjoying getting back into it all.

    One thing I never had in the UK was a Locomotive with sound. So I have set out to have sound in all of my locomotives. At this time I have no affinity to any specific US railroad so my collection is somewhat eclectic. My wife, a native Texan, loves the KATY, Missouri - Kansas - Texas Railroad so I am good with that.

    I have an NCE ProCAB wireless with both 5 and 10AMP supply. I have a NCE Power Cab on order. I understand that many here use the Digitrax system and I have no feeling either way on the systems and I may get a digitrax to play with too.

    Well that's about it for now... good to meet you all (y)
     
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  2. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Russ, welcome. I can't help you with DCC, being a DC operator for 70 years. Though I'm sure you'll plenty of excellent advice. (y)
     
  3. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the reply Hytec. There's nothing wrong with DC :D you keep rollin' I am a computer systems guy so I am sure I'll work it out with a little help from my friends ;)
     
    subwayaz likes this.
  4. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Hi Russ, welcome! I am certain you will get excellent advice here.
     
  5. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks. I look forward to soaking it up. I have one question you may or may not be able to help with. I bought Rapido N Scale GMD-1 switcher (Canadian stripes) with ESU LokSound decoder. I can get the horn and bell to work but I was hoping I could here it start up and have an engine sound. Is it possible that this sound unit only has horn and bell? I have tried to program it with the NCE PRO Cab several times and almost every time the Cab reports a different decoder manufacturer.... do you think I have a faulty unit?

    Any thoughts?
     
  6. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome aboard, Russ. To state what may be the obvious, have you checked the manual for the decoder? The blurbs from Rapido indicate that it is supposed to produce the appropriate engine sounds, so...Apart from that, have fun poking around the N and DCC&Electronics forums, perhaps pose the sound question in the latter? And ask any question you want, even the experts started off somewhere!
     
  7. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    I didn't get a manual with the locomotive. I have looked on the web but I have found nothing so far to help. Thanks for the suggestion. I will pose the question on the DCC & Electronics forums.
     
  8. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome aboard, Russ, and remember, there is no such thing as a dumb question. By questioning we learn.
     
  9. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to Trainboard and the US Russ. Having the Computer knowledge that you already have along with lots of experience with DC you have no problems with DCC. It's much easier in my humble opinion. Ask away when the spirit hits you; you find lots of helpful folks here.
    Cheers
     
  10. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    Welcome aboard Russ.
     
  11. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Subaywayz... you guys have already been really greatl
     
    subwayaz likes this.
  12. Ironhorseman

    Ironhorseman April, 2018 Staff Member In Memoriam

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    Glad to have you aboard, Russ. Welcome! :)
     
  13. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Ironhorseman... I see you were lucky #13 ... (y)
     
  14. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome aboard Russ. Glad to have you.

    Charlie
     
  15. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Charlie. Did you venture into Z?
     
  16. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have locomotives, rolling stock, track, but that's as far as I've made it. :(
     
  17. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    That just means you have a lot to look forward to. :) Z looks challenging, I think my hand is not steady enough to work in Z... N is challenging me enough... although the thought of having a Z setup on my desk at work is appealing :D
     
  18. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, it looks like fun. I can't see that good but if I ever find the space for it (and a little time) I will give it a go.
     
  19. Russ Prentice

    Russ Prentice TrainBoard Member

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    Super... I know what you mean ... my eyesight is suffering too. Please keep us posted... I'll be interested in journey as I may go that way at some point. Best of luck!
     
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  20. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome Russ, sounds like you e jumped back in with two feet.
     

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