Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
DCC and Tracks Setup
Francis wants advice from anyone with DCC experience and asks:
1. How do I start an HO DCC setup lets say for a 16x 8 ft layout?
2. How many boosters and transformers do I need?
3. What brand of locos can be combined to run on the same tracks?
4. Can Marklin, Atlas and Bachmann locos run on the same tracks?
Click on the BLUE title of this post to add your answer(s) to help Francis.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
1. Read, ask clubs and members in your area or go to a train show.
2. ONE Control station, unless you want to break the bank. Wiring is more important.
3. All brands as long as they are DCC and gauge (size), ho for example.
4. NO, Marklin is different. All others will run on the same track.
Lynn
president of the hdmmrc, all DCC
A medium size layout as you suggested would require for power source of around 16v and a amp output of 3 to 5. DCC control brand is your choice based on funds, but just the one booster controller will do the job. All brands apart from marklin (center-rail pickup) will operate this includes most type/brands of decoders fitted to locos. Wiring is very simple, 2 base wires from the controller around the layout and feeder wires up to the track every meter. I have a 12 x 6 meter layout running off 1 power pack with a 3amp output and 1 Digitrax DSC100 controller with nil issue providing a constant 13.7 v to the track and with 4 sound decodered loco running, my amp doesn’t exceed 1.5 check it out at nzrmodeling.webs.com
Regards Grant