OK, All you experienced and knowlegable DCC folk.... Give me some advice or suggestions. I want to go DCC on the New layout, to be started shortly, Need to be able to operate up to 15 different locos (that includes consist). Is there one brand of DCC that is better suited for N SCALE ? Oh yea, and I will want to use a Computer to program -interface with the DCC controls. I will have to convert 12 non-DCC loco to the new system. I am open to your suggestions or comments !
There are now three levels of systems. This is my categories; no one else's. First is entry level. MRC pretty much has this sown up. You will be able to run with DCC, but I would only recommend it to a poor teen who can't affor anything else but wants DCC. Secondly, is an intermediate system. Atlas is going to be the King of this Castle. They haven't come out with hand held throttles yet ( a big no no), but they will when they get tired of all the emails demanding it. Digitrax's low end model would also be in this catagory. Thirdly is the rest of DCC. These are systems which are capable of doing just about everything you could wish: consisting, throwing turnouts for select routes, interfacing with computers, the whole nine yards. Next are issues which I think are important: 1. What is popular in your area, this is critical when you run into problems, and you will, so you can cry on some one's shoulder. 2. What about future exandibility. YOu don't want to discover you just bought a 386 computer, when 486's have just come out. The same with your system, will it be able to with stand change. 3. What is popular in the nation. Lets face it, the more literature, people in the know about your system, the more stores that carry it, the more popular it is; the more likely you will be able to get secondary support - upgrading your knowledge reading books about it, magazine articles, ect. 4. What is available for your pocket book. DCC is expensive. You always need one more new thing, another decoder, a newer and better throttle or just another throttle to keep your guests happy. 5. The soft ware is already out there to do what you want to do...one that comes to mind is Kam industries. These are all the issues involved...along with easy of use. This is an issue and is being resolved. I hesitate to throw out a lot of brand names because I know I am going to forget one. I use the Digitrax Chief.
rsn48 I was just joking in the previous post. I don't have DCC but wished I did. I have done a quite a bit of reading on it and I agree with all your statments. The only thing keeping me from getting DCC is $$$. My Social Security check just won't go for it.
You can probably get into DCC cheaper than you think, MRC is selling really cheap on EBay because many know Atlas will replace it.It will run up to 10 or 11 locos, so that may be all you need. The price of Decoders is dropping constantly. It is no more expensive than the hobby itself....lol.
I have been using DCC for about a year now. I am seeing DCC get cheaper and more user friendly by the day. One of the big things was when the NMRA set standards for DCC. Now you can mix decoders and other parts all together as long as they are all NMRA certified. The size of decoders is dropping. You now get engines with decoders installed, or with a plug for installing you own decoder if you want. The price can be a little scary at first but I have bought most of my equipement on sale, or used second hand. My system is the Digitrax with a few other types of decoders thrown in. Setting up a layout for DCC is fairly easy, just make sure that your power gets to all the track. This means more than just one hookup to the rails. I am in N-Scale. This can make it a little tricky to install decoders in some diesels. Steam engines are no problem at all. I think that DCC is the way to go. If you can go run a layout that has DCC installed, do so. It can be a real thrill to have a coal train, that cannot make it up a grade, stop at the foot of the grade, have a helper engine come out of a siding and push the coal train up over the hill. Then at the top of the grade the helper cuts off on the fly and drifts back down grade, all the while the coal train never stops moving on. DCC makes this type of action possible.
Hi Gull, Welcome to TrainBoard! Lots of good posts here, I've been using DCC for a few of years now, but I should mention that I'm HO and not an electrical engineer or a software designer, anyway there are lots of good systems out there, I suggest that you look at what's for sale and then what's not for sale, the missing names are probably the most desireable, because folks tend to hang on to them. Go to <ttx-dcc.com> and look up Tony's comparison of the various DCC systems. I'll give you my own in a nutshell. MRC real simple, crude, not expanable. Buy this if you want to say you're DCC, but very limited Atlas, entry level Lenz(the guy who invented it all) used in Europe under the Roco name. NCE very user friendly, but the controller dosn't fit every hand. Digitrax if you are an electrical engineer or computer whiz this is the one for you. Lenz the inventor of DCC, very stable and user friendly after a year of study this is the one I chose. Zimo if money is no object this is certainly the Rolls Royce of DCC systems, 2 way infra red control. EasyDCC if you like to construct your own, this is a great way High grade stuff but to make it affordable you need to build it. Just like the old Hallcrafter kits of the '60s. There are a couple more out there, a British Mfg, can't remember the name, the panel looks great though. Computer control: Look back in the DCC archives on TrainBoard for posts by JLS and go to his web site. He's a former IBM'r and I've been to his home and seen his set up. He's forgotton more than I'll ever know about computer control. Most important make sure they are NMRA compliant and have an NRMA Warrant. [ 19 February 2001: Message edited by: ChrisDante ]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by porkypine52: Then at the top of the grade the helper cuts off on the fly and drifts back down grade, all the while the coal train never stops moving on. DCC makes this type of action possible.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I understand how to control this with DCC, but how do you uncouple a moving train? D6
Electromagnetic uncouplers with Micro-Trains style couplers. You activate the magnet when you want to uncouple.
Micro Trains makes them (or used to) in N scale, and Kadee makes them in larger scales. You can try either of their websites or try looking at Walthers.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Harron: Electromagnetic uncouplers with Micro-Trains style couplers. You activate the magnet when you want to uncouple.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So you just have to time it right and activate the magnet as the locomotive passes over it. I assume the magnet is in the track. D6
