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DCC Compatible Vs Electrically Controlled Model Railroads
Sam sent in these thoughts:
“Many people erroneously believe that electrically controlled model railroad networks can’t provide speed control, backward and forward movement and many other sophisticated controls that DCC compatible model railroads have but this assumption is very wrong. If it is so, why are some of the best laid layouts these days controlled with DCC? The answer is simple; setting up electrical layouts with complex setups and sophisticated operational setups is a task that consumes several hours and massive technical skills. DCC on the other hand is easy and can be setup effortlessly although it is a little expensive.”
5 Responses to DCC Compatible Vs Electrically Controlled Model Railroads
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Our Levin Model Railway Club has just converted to DCC operation from DC. There was an expense involved but we were always planning DCC control. So easy to install and to operate. Our members range in age from 11 to 70+ and so far no problems. Our club layout is set up in “The Old Courthouse” historical building in the towns Rose garden adjacent to the North Island Main Trunk (Wellington -Auckland) rail line so we are open to the public 1pm to 4pm weekends an public holidays so good control is essential to the smooth running of the layout. John Morrison President LMRC
Were I a member of a club, I’d need to convert to DCC some of my locos that I intended to use there to DCC. My take is that almost all of the clubs that haven’t yet gone to DCC eventually will, because the larger resource of a club makes paying for the up-front possible, and the ease of use of layouts on display is worth it, as John has noted.
That said, for my own home layout, the time-vs.-money tradeoff works the other way. I’d rather invest the time in the work and be able to have more money to spend on what time can’t buy: trains, stock, structures, scenery, turnouts, track, figures, etc. I’ve not found the DC controls complex to run, it just takes time to plan and set up.
Personally, I see a lot of appeal in locos that can be used on DC or DCC easily. That will help models who are navigating the transition or are going back and forth between the two types of systems. K
I have several old DC loco’s and rdc’s. I’ve tried to convert some of them to DCC but I was not satisfied with their operation. I think the motor makes the difference. As a result, I have my layout set up to switch between DC and DCC depending on which loco I want to run.
I have a z scale DC layout and operate several DC locos on it. I would eventually like to have DCC but, like you, want to be able to operate my present locos. How do you set up your layout to run both?
DCC is easy, just connect two wires, until you have a fault, a short circuit 4 amps worth, when that happens you start to hanker after the section switches which DC require and which make locating faults so much easier.
I suppose the best solution is to section a DCC layout for fault finding but surely the Red Arrow system of battery powered infra red or radio control is the way forward, literally two wires to the tracks for battery charging on plain track or even a siding and no need to isolate any parts of your points just insulate the point-work from the charging track and then you can hand build the most hideously complicated pointwork without any need to worry about insulation, polarity or anything.
On board battery powered locos look much more realistic somehow as they never falter over dirty track or points, mine (Sadly not Red Arrow controlled,) run quite happily along the floor without any track at all.