I have a friend who has mostly DC. Can a layout wired for DC support a DCC setup also? Can the DCC power station be attatched where the power pack on the control board is removed? Basically you would just set all the blocks to active and you would have your DCC layout. This would also let you turn off blocks on DCC for illuminated cars and non DCC engines. You now run both DC and DCC equipment alternately until the entire fleet was converted to DCC. Would the Atlas controllers and selectors be able to handle the high voltage of a DCC Prodigy Advance set? I love DCC but have a sizeable collection of DC. Eventually I hope to be all DCC.
Steve: A DC layout wired for DC can support DCC. You can also run one DC loco on a DCC using the "0" address. It must be removed from the layout after you finished running the loco, or the motor will burn out. Stay cool and run steam.....
I'm pretty new to DCC myself, but I have read up a bunch on it all. Sounds like you have it all figured out. You shouldn't have any trouble running the way you mentioned. Leave all blocks turned 'on' while running DCC - just watch your current draw. Like Bob said though, I wouldn't leave my DC loco on the track 'idling' while running DCC. If you already have it wired up for blocks - that'll benefit you when you are ready to convert them to DCC 'districts'.
You can also use the blocks as blocks in DCC. It just wired much more easily. Just drop feeders to the two common bus lines. There are no switches to worry about. In DCC, trains move from one block to another without throwing any switches. Stay cool and run steam.....
So what happens when a DCC loco is put on a DC Layout? My layout will be DCC, have recently been converted, but I would still like to run my trains on my Dads DC layout, is this possible? Cheers, James
Steve - Not all DCC systems support running a DC (analog) loco, although many do. Check the manual with your specific set. James - most (non-sound) decoders will operate on a DC layout, but you may have to set the appropriate CV to the correct setting. Many sound decoders can do this as well (e.g. the sound units in Broadway Limited locos). But always check! For example Soundtrax LC-series CANNOT operate on DC. Andrew
Thanks to all for your help. I just cant afford to convert at last count sixty-three steam locotives to DCC over less than a few years. Not to mention the diesels I have waiting for the same conversions. I have inherited a large collection and the engines are good quality and worthy of decoders. I do know about running engines on 0, but I want to run several DC's at the same time. A DCC loco on a DC track doesn't recieve enough voltage for damage or any kind of movement. Somebody more knowlegable please check me on that. A DC loco mistakenly placed on a DCC programming track makes lots of humming and popping noises. The engine was only on DCC for a few seconds and still runs fine on DC now. Thanks again.
