Hello all! I'm returning to this forum and hobby after a 16-year hiatus. Between lack of funds, time, and space, I made the hard decision to sell off all of my hobby supplies and tools all those years ago. Still need more funds and time (=/), but I now have plenty of space to enjoy the hobby. So why return? And a bit about myself. My name is Mike and my profession is in IT/Networking. I spend most of my day in front of a computer, working in a fast-paced, high-demand role. I'm about into everything tech/IT/security related, but at the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is spend more time in front of a screen. While I have other hobbies like wrenching on cars, I'm limited to these hobbies only in spring/summer months, let alone my kids are too young to be involved with either. My hope was to focus on slot cars and building a nice layout, but even here, my oldest is still a couple years off from really being able to enjoy simply running cars. This has all led me back to Model RR, something I can work on for 30-60 minutes in the evenings that is mentally stimulating and is not screen-based and even to watch some trains go around, and something my kids can also be a part of. I am no stranger to modeling or model RR; as mentioned, I was previously working on building a DC HO mining layout and periodically running a temp 3 rail O scale layout. I have been modeling intermittently since I was about 10 years old. During my college years, after needing to give up on Model RR, I focused heavily on Warhammer 40K (still hoping to go back to this one with the kids and now cheap 3D printing). I'm currently planning out a pretty ambitious project in N scale. I'm looking at doing the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge Layout with either DCC or DCC++EX. My goal with this layout, beyond a project that I can poke at a bit each night, is to build a solid base layout, which I can hopefully add a double main for future expansion and a spur for a switching layout. While I don't plan to use the modular concepts the woodland teaches with this layout, the layout, in general, is a decent design, and this will take the thought and vision requirements out of the design. Yes, I know this will be an expensive path, but this removes a lot of the design and guesswork and will allow me to focus on building and practicing the other aspects of scenery. I'm also planning to add lighting(already thinking of current sense graded crossing) and provisions for detail to be added as I go along, again serving as a good base layout. I also have a couple of questions; if someone can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated. I have already been reading/watching a lot of topics here, and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite amount of content and info. A general reference to a site or YouTube channel that you like also helps. I am not planning on "prototyping" this layout, but that being said, I do want to run local-ish road names; I'm really looking at CSX. I hope to pick up a GP38-2 and GP40 with some rolling stock. I see Bachman has a decent CSX starter set. Will I get more bang for my buck by purchasing DC locos and adding a decoder, or am I better off purchasing an already DCC-equipped loco? From what I have seen, the cost is about the same, ex, purchasing a DC loco ~ $130 and a decoder is another 70-100, netting around 230, vs a DCC seems to be about 200-230. Am I looking at this correctly? On the topic of DCC, if I go the route of purchasing DC locos and adding my own decoders in general, I should be able to use any decoder I would like with the DCC system I have? I'm pretty settled on either going with the Digitrax Zephyr or DCC++EX. Lastly, with regards to the GP38/40 (this might be better suited on the n-scale board), will I have any issues running these with a minimum 9.75 curve? I'd love to run something 6-axle, but I know I am asking for trouble with those curves, and I am willing to compromise here. Cheers! Mike
Hello mike .welcome back. Im 100% DCCEX and love it having built my own wireless hand held controller (with much help ) i was NCE power cab user . i will probably never use anything else as the DCCEX does what the big boys do plus some for a lot less $$$$$$....
