DCC for Home N Scale

[Ali Kenneth]

To add my input......

I have a Lenz Set 100 and would certainly not recommend it as an introduction to DCC.

Whilst I, on the whole, like it there have been numerous issues with the unit and it has been in for repairs twice. Given that i have no layout and only use it currently for testing decoder installs that is not a very good record. I would love to go for one of the CVP wireless throttles for use with my system but the issues with wireless throttles in the UK prevent that.

Alasdair

[wm3798]

Lee: decoder installs you say................................. :

Lee

[Puddington]

I'm so pleased to see you getting back on your feet................

[DaveB]

I want simple and no one here has made that statement.. and I DO run a ton of locomotives; I like variety

If you go to DCC, I think it makes a lot of sense to keep DC capability, for several reasons.  The biggest one is that you can keep running legacy locos without converting everything.  So the question is whether there is enough bang for the buck to add DCC capability.  Minimum investment is around $500--basic package and a reasonable number of decoders.  A mimimum investment is not going to revolutionize your operations.  DCC makes sense for me because I do club operations.  So, DCC may be fun to fool around with at home, and permits some operational flexibility, but seems to me to be something less than essential. 

[wm3798]

I disagree, DaveB.  My home layout isn't large, and I didn't start out with a large fleet of decoder equipped locomotives.  But the addition of DCC did indeed revolutionize my model railroading experience.  I also started working with DCC at my club, but the layout there was merely a big display loop, so the only real advantage was the ability to run several trains at once, with individual control for each.  The benefit wasn't that apparent in that scenario.

At home, though, I wanted operations, and DCC makes that infinitely easier to plan and to execute.  To make my 8 track staging yard function, I would need 8 separate circuits that could be turned on or off.  with DCC, I have two bus wires and some feeders.  My roundhouse would require 18 separate circuits, or even 36 if I wanted to keep two separate locomotives on each track.  With DCC, again, two feeders, and I call up the engine I want on the throttle without affecting the other 20 that might be parked in the terminal.

I can easily send my switcher from one end of the yard to the other without worrying about whether a track is turned on or off, and I can operate two, and sometimes three or four trains at one time using a single hand held walk around throttle.  If I have a long local, I can break the consist and leave one engine idling while the other switches cars in a tight industrial area, too.  That simply doesn't happen on a DC cab control layout without some wiring acrobatics.

The only real benefit to keeping a layout wired for DC cab control is to quickly narrow down the location of a short by killing the blocks one by one.  But on a smallish home layout, you can accomplish the same thing pretty quickly by simply eyeballing the layout.  Due to the simplicity of the wiring that's required for DCC, it's very rare indeed that there would be problem below decks.

As some of the wags here often say, they don't mind paying extra for add-on details and factory paint, because it adds to their "play" time with the trains.  Likewise for DCC.  If you enjoy crawling around under the layout pulling circuits and spending $$$ on toggle switches, then carry on.  But if you'd rather start running trains, then DCC will quickly show itself to be a good value.

Lee

[dnhouston]

Pud,

I went completely DCC when I rebuilt the layout with the last move.  Decided I didn't want to deal with all the wiring issues to have both so just went DCC all the way.  I've been really glad that I did.  One major upside is being able to run trains with my daughter, something you would understand with your son, and not having to worry about direction, speed or blocks.  But let me warn you, there is always the possibility of pulling a "Gomez Addams" and crashing your trains while in DCC, something to consider when Sammy's friend comes over.  But all-in-all, I think it has been well worth it. 

[Packer]

I haven't used systems other than digitrax since that is what everyone I know uses, but I'll throw my $.02 in...

For the size you mentioned a basic systems should suffice. I wouldn't go for the Bachmann system since it isn't expandable and is very basic. As for decoders, I'd recommend NCE decoders since they are relatively inexpensive, available in bulk packs, and have good features. Stay away from MRC, it is some bad juju.

I think lots of engines now available in N-scale have decoders made specifically for them. In HO, it's fairly straightfoward since there is a standardized plug, but I'm not sure if there is one in N-scale.

Don't run a DC engine on DCC. It not creates excess heat, but also can wreck the motor. I did that with one of my P2K SD9s and one of the tiny wires to the commutator broke, turning it's 5-pole motor into a 4-pole motor.

[cv_acr]

At home, though, I wanted operations, and DCC makes that infinitely easier to plan and to execute.  To make my 8 track staging yard function, I would need 8 separate circuits that could be turned on or off.  with DCC, I have two bus wires and some feeders.  My roundhouse would require 18 separate circuits, or even 36 if I wanted to keep two separate locomotives on each track.  With DCC, again, two feeders, and I call up the engine I want on the throttle without affecting the other 20 that might be parked in the terminal.

I can easily send my switcher from one end of the yard to the other without worrying about whether a track is turned on or off, and I can operate two, and sometimes three or four trains at one time using a single hand held walk around throttle.  If I have a long local, I can break the consist and leave one engine idling while the other switches cars in a tight industrial area, too.  That simply doesn't happen on a DC cab control layout without some wiring acrobatics.

I can't imagine trying to operate our main yard at the club by having it wired up for old DC block control. Apart from the double track mainline, there are 20 yard tracks (none of the stub-ended), 2 leads at one end and junctions with the servicing facilities and two branclines at the other end. There could be a switcher working each end of the yard, a branchline train arriving or departing and a mainline train making a setoff & pickup all at the same time in the same area. Laying out and controlling all the required blocks would be a nighmare.

With DCC, all the engineer needs to worry about is lining the track switches for the proper route, "forward", "reverse", and staying under the 15-20 MPH speed limit to avoid being yelled at by the yardmaster.

[trainforfun]

Pud , there is a big plus for us canadians now when buying decoders in the state , our $ is very close to the US one , so it's a good time to make a move in both case installation or buying decoders .
A lot of your locos will be a bit problematic ( nothing an experienced installers like Lee would be afraid ) but others are just drop in decoders . These I am sure you would be able to do after a while .
At first the system looks complicated but after a while and many questions answered you will be fine .
A tax report at the end of the year is more complicated than that ...    ;D

[m301]

I've been to the two n Scale clubs closest to me (they aren't) and they both used Digitrax.

However, after seeing MRC drawbacks, I went with a $140 NCE :Power" Cab. It's the controller that looks like a hammer head. If anyone thinks the MRC is simple, they haven't seen this. You get a book explaining everything plain and simple. The Power Cab has controls on it that are simpler than Digitrax controllers.
MRC does have the instructions literally right on the back, but they are the simplest of explanations that just left me with that "HUH?" look.

   If i was part of a club, I might buy a digitrax. If I was running multiple trains at one time, then buy DCC and certainly buy NCE.

PS: I am from NY, but not an employee of North Coast. LOL ;D