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8 Responses to DCC Control?
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I use the E-Z Command Control Center made by Bachmann Industries. (bachmanntrains.com)
It is easy to use, expandable (can run up to 10 trains) and reasonably priced. Only need one connection to the track.
I started with a 4×8 and MRC DCC. I have since cut the 4×8 to 30″x8′ and added 2 24″x8′ sections using the same DCC. I can highly recommend MRC’s Prodigy Advance2. I have a complete hodge-podge of locos with many brands of decoders and have zero problems with the system.
Any of the DCC systems should work.However my only experience is with the digitrax system which is very functional. You may want to think about what other functions you may want in the future such as operating switches, signals and so on. Which ever system you choose I would recommend you put power feeder line every 3 to 6 feet of track. Also give consideration to creating power districts.If you will have engines sitting idle for any period of time then they will still have power going to their decoders which can shorten the decoders life span. Also if you plan on having sound decoders then they to will have power as well. Power districts will allow you to kill the power where these engines sit idle and shut off the sound and lights. You can do that with commands from the system but the decoders is still receiving power.
i have just changed my n scale layout from dc to dcc ,was so easy i invested in an MRC control system ,was so easy to convert ..it would be worth looking at .its a easy system to set up and simple to use..expensive but wort it
from selwyn bennett
dunedin
new zealand
Dave, I converted my layout about a year and half ago. i bought an NCE powr cab , just the basic set to get started and it will allow to run 3 locos all at the same time. The set was around $300 because I bought a second hand held controller to control a second loco and give me more control. I love it, it’s easy to use. My local hobby shop is what recommended it and that is what they use at their local club.I still can use dc because of the way I configured my layout as I have yet to convert all my locos to dcc. I use Atlas dpdt switches to go back and forth from dc to dcc. It works great . The only down side is that I can’t run dc and dcc at the same time but that’s ok…hope this helps.
Chuck
the bachmann controller will orerate 9 DCC and 1 DC loco at the same time. The Digitrax will also run a DC loco while running DCC units . The limiting factor is available power. This can be solved by adding boosters and creating a power district for each one, as outlined above.
it would depend on how fast you will convert your loco’s to DCC. if you dont have the budget to convert your whole fleet in one swoop be careful which DCC system you buy not all are dual mode capable so most of the simpler(less expensive) systems only run trains in DCC mode.
You will have to do some research and figure out which company to go with but I would recommend MRC which I own or Digitrax which my friend has. we just put in a huge expansion at his place and I was very impressed how well his Super chief would run a DC loco perfectly 40′ away from the main layout even before we soldered the track joints!!! and the ease with which both of our systems are upgradable just by simple plug and play
Good luck
Les
You need to look at the various DCC systems and choose one that you will be comfortable setting-up and operating. Given the size of your layout it appears you will not need extra power boosters, but I concur with the one comment concerning track feeders. The particular issue is that the rail joiners can be loose thus affecting the amount of current that can pass thru them and a bad connection between sections of track thru a loose rail joiner will bring a train to a sudden halt. For this reason we are installing power feeders on each section of track on our layout (3-foot long sections of flex track) so that we are not dependent on the rail joiners to conduct power. I also concur with the comment about installing some tracks that can be turned-off where you will want to park some locomotives.
We have a Digitrax system on our layout and I am still learning features and how to use it; it is a very powerful system and may be much more than you really want. We have our layout set-up with radio-controlled throttles so we can follow our trains around the layout without worry about line-of-sight as may be required with infrared controlled throttles. You really need to look at the features and consider what specific features you want on your railroad.
Please note you will also need to set-up a programming track that is not connected directly to your layout for programming your locomotives. In DCC you will want to assign a separate address (i.e. the locomotive number) to each individual locomotive and to do this you have to program them off the layout, otherwise all the locomotives on your layout might respond to a single number and it would be like trying to run the layout with everything on regular DC provided by a single power pack.