DCC: The Fear Factor

The only advantage to DCC that I can see is in consisting different manufacturer locomotives together. As far as running two locomotives on the same track even the local N scale DCC club doesn't do that anymore. And I have heard the horror strories from the HO clubs that attempted that and I have witnessed and participated in the search, on all fours, for various wheels couplers etc. of cars sent crashing to the floor because some idiot ran a signal and smashed into the train ahead of him. In one club it got to the point where people were at each others throats and they decided to go back to a block system. So much for running two trains on one track. So consisting in DCC is the biggest advantage over running analog.

Regardless of what anyone may claim as the greatest benefit of DCC, the bottom line remains the bottom line. The cost of DCC compared to the benefit of DCC. In my case I see a great cost with little or no benefit. I will still run one train per track and the ability to run a Lifelike with a Kato is of such very low priority that it is unmeasureable.

 

I know exactly what you are talking about. I finally made the plunge. I have a DCC system. I only have two decoder equiped N scale engines right now. Once you try DCC you'll find it's very liberating. But I understand where you are coming from with it. I think that until you actually run trains with DCC it's hard to understand just how fun it is. The other draw back is of course the installation of decoders and what it implys in terms of engine headlights having to be removed and weight being lost on small switchers.

 

I applaud everyone's opinion and their ability to express it well. I always learn something here as users share their views and opinions. Participants are reminded that, in the past, this topic is rarely civil and eventually gets moved or locked because of worded hostility. Our posts to this point are exemplary!

BTW, it should be in the DCC forum, but save that for the next time. No worries!

 

To each their own...

 

I think the worse DCC discussions are about who's system is better. They tend to be as hostile and nasty as when people discuss religeon. I'm not kidding.

 

I suppose if my layout were two or three time as large and I had a couple of people who came over for operations DCC might add something.

As it is there is just me. I can run a train on the mainline, while simultaneously operating at one of several different switching areas.

I can do this easily with straight DC and block controls. I can’t think of anything DCC could add (Except cost and more work) or make simpler/easier.

I will probably be attacked for this by people telling me how WRONG I am.

As if they know me and mine better than I do.

 

Hi!

Well, this is a turning point day for me! Plunked down the not inconsiderable cash for a brand new NCE DCC system. Oh me oh my, 200 engines to decoderize! The good thing is that once I'm done, I'll be an expert at DCC decoder installation!

 

DCC is great for running multiple trains of the same track and even bi-directional running! We do that at our NTrak show, but it takes a lot of concentration if you want to avoid a cornfield meet! (We now assign a "PR" person at shows to handle questions and explain what we are doing, DCC, etc.)

Harold

 

As Grant mentioned once you go to DCC the operation of the layout begins to take on a new role. Suddenly you realize that you don't need 52 F7's, and sell some. With the proceeds you buy decoders for the ones you keep, so the whole thing becomes revenue neutral. I know that is what I did. Sold half my roster, and now I am much more particulair about what locomotives I buy.

To each his own. DCC is one of those things that seem pointless, but once you are into it, the benefits make themselves clear to you.

 

I have to agree with this line of thinking....

In general, most modelers have more locos than they will run anyway... DCC makes you think about this, since you will have to pony up another $20-$30 for the decoder...

Harold

 

Thank you all for your interesting input to this thread.

I had always thought that the idea behind DCC was being able to operate a model railroad like the real thing. I.e. independently operate multiple locomotives on the same track.

It is only recently and re-enforced by this thread that I had thought about running the layout like a real railroad. That is making a business case for acquiring motive power rather than buying a loco because it was new and I wanted it.

 

I would say the greatest selling point to DCC is mu/ing loco's that have different speeds from different manufacturers. One day I will take the plunge.

 

It is my intention to run both.
The Grey and Grandure shortline will be block control for 2 to 3 and _maybe_ 4 train operation.
One reason not tu use DCC on the GandG is it will be running engines that would be, (for _me_), just two hard to install decoders in.

DCC on the Main
The main line is big and simple enough to handle 4 trains and lots of MUs.

 

I have a reasonable sized layout but only ever run it on my own so have never felt the need for DCC and settle, quite happily, for DC using feedback handheld controllers.

I attended a local model rail exhibition which had a DCC display and the chap running it was quite happy to let me try it and to explain all the benefits to me.

I do find the idea very interesting but am put off by the work and cost involved in fitting decoders to my locos. I could pay someone to do it but that would double the cost and it wouldn't be worth it.

I would seriously consider going DCC but will have to work up some courage, as well as spare money, to try.

Regards,
Dave

 

What I like about DCC...... everything!!!!!! what's cool..... How about sitting in a siding with headlights dim waiting for a unit train to go by with 3 unit's in a consist and only the lead unit has the lights on..... or sitting in the shop area with the lights on

 

Five things keep me running analog DC:

1) Hundreds (and I do mean hundreds) of legacy locos still on the roster of runners. Probably a couple dozen of my locos would be 'plug-n-play' - the rest? Who knows? (and don't give me the "sell all that old stuff, it is junk anyway" arguement - I've heard that 100's of times, and those old locos have sentimental value and perform better than most new locos on plain old DC.) PS: I keep buying the older locos with the full-sized, heavy metal frames, because they pull better, so the problem of the number of potentially difficult conversions is growing.

2) The expense compared to simple analog DC. Now, don't give me the "wiring lecture" - I've already heard that one 100's of times, too. There are only two wires required to run my Unitrack layout, although I will probably add a couple pair of jumpers to the the more distant locations (6 wires, total). Unitrack switches provide all the block control I need, and I prefer to throw the points manually.

3) Track and wheels stay cleaner, and pickup problems are fewer with low voltage DC. I hate cleaning track and wheels, and it was one of the reasons I gave up on N Scale and returned to O Scale in the early 1980's.

4) The insufferable arrogance of certain members of the DCC "faithful". You can't win someone over with a continual barrage of insults and ridicule.

5) No perception of need or value, coupled with the frequent burnouts and meltdowns I have witnessed at the NTrak club layout, which can be run either either DCC or analog.

 

On consisting being a problem with analog:

That's a myth.

I should post a list of commonly available locomotives that I run together all the time with no problems. It would be too long for a post here, but I will provide a sample:

My NYC consist has 3 LL GP20s and one old school Atlas/Kato GP35 - perfect match. SP BW is one LL SD7/9 and 2 Atlas RDS's - perfect too. D&H is a pair of Atlas C628's and an old Kato SD45 - no problem. The other D&H consist is a pair of Atlas/Kato RS11s and a Kato RS2 - perfect. My "modern" D&RGW set is a pair of recent Atlas GP40's and a pair of old school Atlas/Kato GP35s - perfect match.

I typically buy ABBA sets of carbody units. I typically buy hoods in 3s or 4s, depending upon what I intend to pull.

I have no need for DCC to assist me with consisting locos.

At home, I only run 6-8 car trains, and only need to run one loco at a time. Even DCC cannot improve speed matching on a one-loco consist.

[ August 27, 2005, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: LongTrain ]

 

I have to admit that held me back for a while.

As it is I don't intend to covert more than a dozen locos. I will likely dual wire the main for DC and DCC.

 

NO no no!!!! No attacks here. Regarding the small layout no need for DCC comment. I think the one thing that would blow you away, is that DCC is actually more noticeable on a small layout. Suppose you have one engine track and you need to get one of your engines out of the storage. It's easy with DCC you just select the cab and throttle up and out of the engine spur without having to worry about any other engine following you out as in analog. DCC allows you to run the trains according to where you want them not according to where your blocks are set up on your DC system.

That said, I don't personally have any difference in responce to looking at a nice layout with train running on it regardless of DC or DCC. DCC is just a nice addition to the experience of model railroading operation.

I bought a zephyr system because it had this new innovation called DC jumpers that allow you to use your analog power packs as secondary controllers on your DCC system. To me that seemed like a great transition from my DC to DCC since I could still use my power pack to run trains.

To those who mention the cost of conversion and legacy engines. I plan to run my layout as a dual DC and DCC layout. I can't afford to switch over quickly either.