Okay, I am very new to model railroading all together. So when I set out to make up my first layout in N scale I decided to go DC instead of DCC because of cost. So now, I have 4 locomotives and I'm wondering how I can have a yard with multiple locomotives and only run one (or 2 with 2 main lines) at a time. I have the MRC dual power transformer, so I see how I can run 2 different locos on 2 different main lines, but there again, how do I deal with the yard situation? I'm not ready to plunge into DCC yet, still because of the cost and I'm having alot of fun with plain 'ol DC still. I want to learn alot more about the 'basics' and then get into DCC. Any and all info will be very helpful. Thanks, Sheldon
Sheldon: Now is the right time to get into DCC. You only have 4 loco's, so the DCC cost factor would be much smaller than if you had 50 loco's to change over. Take a look at the DCC info at this site: Tony's Train's DCC Primer Have fun.... Stay cool and run steam....
Sheldon, Running multiple trains with DC is accomplished with what is called "block wiring". This refers to sections of track (industries, passing sidings, yard tracks, etc) being insulated from each other in "blocks". Mainline track (depending on the size of the layout) can also be seperated into blocks. These are controlled with a 3 way selector switch (or a DPDT) so each block can be controlled by cab A, off, or cab B. This is the most basic of explainations. There are several books on basic wiring available and are well worth the investment and I highly recommend checking your LHS (local hobby shop) for one. Even though I have been in the hobby for many years, wiring is my weakest area, which is part of why I WILL be going to DCC eventually.
Some starter info: http://www.nmra.org/beginner/wiring.html Atlas makes some fairly easy to use slide switches if you don't want to get toggles. The Atlas switches are for using Common rail wiring mentioned on that website.
I would also strongly recommend that you look into DCC early in the game per say. It would allow you to do what you want. There are some fairly inexpensive DCC systems on the market these days. To start off with you do not need one with all of the gee whiz stuff. As Bob mentioned, now is also a good time because the conversion cost will be the cheapest now.
I am very good at wiring, electronics, etc. due to my background. However, after reading the links you all provided it seems that I should not wire up for DC if I do intend to go DCC in the near future. So I guess I will have to deal with all this manual operation until I get the money to go Digital. Now let me ask you all about upgrade locomotives to DCC. Here is what I have, can they all be upgraded? Bachmann Standard Prarie 2-6-2 Bachmann Spectrum F7A/B (both powered) - in this case would both A&B get the same address? Life Like E8 Con-Cor PA1
Any N scale loco can be upgraded to decoders. All the loco's you have can be hardwired with decoders. The CC PA1 might use a decoder that is the plugN'play type. I don't have a CC PA-1. You layout can be wired for DC and then switched over to DCC easily. Stay cool and run steam....
Sorta. You would assign each decoder its own address but put them into a consist. There are a couple of different ways of doing this. Once locos are put into a consist they are controlled by one address. This is very flexable in that you can assign and unassign any number of locos to a consist.
five, if you look at the digitrax, lenz, or some of the other manufacturers, they have cross reference lists of decoders for the various engines. i believe tonystrains.com has a good source. some engines are easy, some aren't. not familiar with those specific models, so i can't help you there. the digitrax zephyr is a good system, you may also look at the mrc prodigy express if you are doing this for a at home only layout. it is a bit cheaper, doesn't have quite all the bells and whistles, but it appears to be a bit more user friendly for a beginner beast
Hey all! Thanks for the link to Tony's Trains! On a side note, am I reading their website correctly? Are they offering the Bachmann light mountain with DCC decoder and SOUND for N scale?!
Tony's does quote a price for a decoder and sound for the Bachmann Spectrum Light Mountain in N scale. They do an excellent job installing decoders. Stay cool and run steam......
