JFRTM ???

[eja]

The following quote from a recent thread makes we question why I went DCC.   I love the speed control, the sound options  and the light effects, but question if it is all really worth it if I JF(Want to) RTM.


Note that CV53 is the voltage reference CV.  Don't play with this one, at least not at first.  What it does is adjust the voltage "spread" between SS0 and SS128, and should be used if you find that your engine reaches max speed before the throttle is turned all the way up, or doesn't reach max speed even with the throttle turned all the way up.  In general, CV53 should be set to 10x the DCC track voltage (e.g., if your track voltage is 13v, set CV53 to 130).  That's usually the only adjustment you'll need for this one.

[peteski]

Ed, ESU LokSound5 is probably the most complex and most configurable decoder available.  There are plenty much, much simpler decoders available out there.  Nobody is twisting your arm to go with ESU.

Digitrax has sound decoders which you can just install and run with no sound downloads, complex programming, futzing with too many motor control paramaters, no sound function remapping). Easy peasy!

[Maletrain]

The following quote from a recent thread makes we question why I went DCC.   I love the speed control, the sound options  and the light effects, but question if it is all really worth it if I JF(Want to) RTM.


Note that CV53 is the voltage reference CV.  Don't play with this one, at least not at first.  What it does is adjust the voltage "spread" between SS0 and SS128, and should be used if you find that your engine reaches max speed before the throttle is turned all the way up, or doesn't reach max speed even with the throttle turned all the way up.  In general, CV53 should be set to 10x the DCC track voltage (e.g., if your track voltage is 13v, set CV53 to 130).  That's usually the only adjustment you'll need for this one.

I think it depends a lot on what sort of train running you like to do. 

If it is only a matter of railfanning your models in motion, and you like mainline speeds, by all means stick with DC.

But, if you want to do more prototypical train activities, such as switching, helper operations on grades, etc., and especially if you enjoy the various sounds that accompany such activities, then DCC with sound decoders are an attractive enhancement.

Still not necessary, but some feel worth the extra trouble.  And some do not.  Modeler's choice.

[davefoxx]

DCC is only as complicated as you decide to make it.  You can literally buy a locomotive with a factory-installed decoder and run it on a DCC layout that could have as few as two feeder wires.  It’s up to you to decide where to go with it, e.g., consisting and speed matching.  Then, you can ramp up the level of difficulty and add sound and custom lighting, if you want.  But, you don’t have to do that to run DCC.

DFF

[Dave V]

I love JFRTMing with upwards of three trains at once (or two trains and a Galloping Goose) and boy oh boy does DCC make that easier.

One of the fun things to do is pull one train into a siding and pull another one out without stopping the other two. You could do that in DC but it would take more complicated wiring.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The reality is indeed somewhere in the middle.

Some aspects are quite a bit simpler. But it allows you to do things that then require you to do things that are more complex.

I couldn't imagine doing detection without DCC, but without DCC I would've likely done something without detection.

[central.vermont]

........and here I thought I was going to learn what JFRTM stood for 

[davefoxx]

@central.vermont,

JFRTM = Just F***ing Run Trains, Man

So, the next time that you’re stressed out?  JFRTM.  The next time that life is getting you down?  JFRTM.  The next time that a modeling project is not cooperating and you’re making more work for yourself than actual progress?  JFRTM.

DFF

[mu26aeh]

........and here I thought I was going to learn what JFRTM stood for 

Just Freaking Run Trains Man.  Another F word can be used at your discretion

JFRTM came around due to people bitching and moaning about every model railroad topic under the sun, from laying track to how many rivets should be along a seam or how wide gaps should be on their favorite wooden reefers.   " Can we Just F-ing Run Trains Man and enjoy the hobby ? "

[Ed Kapuscinski]

It specifically came from @seusscaboose while we were working on his layout.

I was over analyzing something I was working on and he was like "just ******** run trains man".

It was a seminal moment. It got me out of my head and back to work and progress ensued. I was forever changed.

[central.vermont]

I like it!!!! 

[Dave V]

This is what JFRTM looks like:

[nkalanaga]

I've been reading it as JFRMT:  Run More Trains!

[CBQ Fan]

I've been reading it as JFRMT:  Run More Trains!

Either way works for me.

[spookshow]

Thanks for the explanation, I've been thinking it was some sort of variation on "RTFM" (read the bleeping manual) 

-Mark