Anyone using DCC on their model railroad?
 

I've reserved a space in my basement for a small layout at some point in the future. I am absolutely going digital, although I have to say, part of the fun (for me anyway) of building a layout was the wiring. Alas, I can't deny the huge advantages of DCC.

Anyhoo, anyone using it? Recommendations?

I'm torn between the ease of the Bachman EZ system and the higher end systems.

These guys could probably help you decide which way to go....

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I am sticking to my transformers as they're paid for and work for me.

Tough choice. Bachmann stuff is such good value and beautiful stuff.

The big club displays I have see seem to be running DCC... seems like the cool way to go... especially if you are going to run more than one train at a time.

I use Piko, made in the former East Germany, which incorporates Uhlenbrock DCC, from West Germany. The basic stuff is easy to find, the more advanced pieces are harder.

DCC has no limitations other than the expense which is very, very high. When you start buying sound decoders for rolling stock, DCC-enabled signaling gear, and digital block signaling, it all adds up quickly.

If you buy German gear be prepared for VERY long lead times, like 90 days, between when you buy it and when you get it. This seems to be normal.

Wow model railroading has come a long way! I was pretty active in the late 70's and belonged to a local club. Sorry I'm no help here but really enjoyed getting caught up over my lunch break.

I guess I'm old school, but I've never used it. If I want 2 trains running at the same time, I like to build a layout that uses 2 different tracks apart from the other. The best thing is to see 2 trains running at the same time.

I use block switching on my layout, but an acquaintance of mine has DCC on his layout.
I was impressed!
Better low speed operation
How many locos do you want to run? You can probably do it.
Sound effects? No problem.
Lights remain at proper brightness.

If I was starting over, I would probably use digital.

Best
Les

This is the beauty of DCC-- you can run two different trains (or a hundred) at the same time, on the same track, without shorting anything out. You can run them at different speeds. You can run them in opposite directions and control the switches with block signaling so they don't collide. And with only two wires to the track.

Hear that sound, the scale, that is just like the prototype Taurus you heard on vacation in Germany? It's coming from the locomotive, a digital soundtrack, controlled by DCC.

Fleischmann N gauge DB Taurus DCC Sound demo - YouTube

I gave my stepdad my dcc controller made by MRC as I wasn't really ready for it yet. He has been running trains full scale and HO scale for more than 40 years. He really likes the dcc and is using it in his new layout he is building in his basement. I did run my ge ac4400 locomotive made by kato once with a dcc encoder installed with sounds. Really pretty cool and the way to go imo.

The club I belonged to when I lived on Long Island (www.westislandmodelrailroadclub.com) used the NCE DCC system. The NCC system was great, we were running 640 feet of mainline track, sidings, and numerous accessories. Programming and usage was relatively easy. They have systems scaled to different systems:

NCE: The Power of DCC

Vin

Thanks for the input all. I've been doing a bit of research. I think its pretty clear that the entry level systems are not really a bargain, because you are going to run out of amperage pretty quickly.

Thus far I like NCE and MRC systems the best. Still might look a Bachman if I can get an inexpensive power upgrade.

I did run two Märlklin HO trains on the same track at different speeds back in the 50's. Märklin, of course uses AC to drive the locomotives. I got my hands on some power diodes and wired one transformer with a diode one way paired with one diode equipped locomotive and the other transformer and locomotive with the diodes in the other direction. This way you run one locomotive with the positive AC cycle and the other with the negative one. Worked pretty good, just slightly rougher than with full AC.

I use NCE and am happy with it. I am not a fan of sound & basically run one loco a a time. It does DEMAND spotlessly clean track even with feeders every 6 feet.

I find myself with an excess of locomotives one (brass) is DC only, all the rest are DCC on board or (a couple) are DCC ready. PM if interested.
My layout is logging orientated.

A pic. ......http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1389271071.jpg

I didn't realize there were so many model railroaders on the board here! What scale are you going to run? I'm old school DC on my layout - if I had it to do over again I maybe would go DCC, but I've got so many locomotives now that putting decoders in them all would be expensive. And I know several folks who have had issues with DCC -- decoders that quit working, entire layouts that quit working due to glitches, etc...I'm able to run multiple unit lashups effectively by putting locomotives that are roughly the same speed together. And troubleshooting is easy w/ DC -- just wires.

Nice layout JP!

That said, my layout (n scale) is decent size, and it would be cool to run multiple trains in different directions.

Here's a couple shots of my layout:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1389314961.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1389315169.jpg

Should not be a problem to run two trains with seperate speed controls on the same track with DC layout. All you have to do is run one train with positive DC and the other with negative DC. You just have to run the engine currents through diodes. One in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, and do the same with the DC controls: One in the normal mode and the other in reverse mode.

All I can say is holy ****e! Been away since the 70's, and block control. The idea of multiple control and sound just blows me away.

The logging RR is cool, JP. I'm partial to Shay's, myself, but I guess that's not uncommon.

I just received my larest copy of Garden Railways in the mail today. There is an interesting article about DCC layouts. Both of my engines are DCC equiped but I dont have the controllers yet.

DCC is pretty simple from the wiring stand point. 2 leads feed power to my whole RR via short jumpers every 6 feet.

I'll get back to working on the RR one of these days. I got into it in a failing health situation......down to 127 lbs. (from 170 ish) at the time. I'm pleased to say that I'm recovering and up to 143lbs....now working on it to keep from geting done-lap disease.

I took on another project to keep me more active and am spending my time working on my new hot rod. Hay, had to fill up the other half of the shop. ....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1389320433.jpg

Wow, beautiful layouts guys!

I'm working in HO. At this point I think I am going to do both.I'm going to wire things up with some basic blocks so I can run vintage locomotive stock if I want, but include feeders for the DCC system.

Pretty sure I'm going with NCE. Seems like they have lots of happy customers, and I like the fact that they are US made.

The other half. .......http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1389321047.jpg

I have been using DCC on my hon3 layout for a few years now. I have the power cab system by ncr. it has been fun and has changed operations materially. I recommend the DCC change!

I have been gradually converting all my old analogue locomotives to DCC. Probably have over 50 of them so far. I don't have a home layout but have portable modules that I set up with other folks at various train shows and run trains on the resulting large layout. We all use wireless throttles and follow our trains around as they go. This is my home setup for my test track.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1624578143.JPG

Here is one of the big layouts, 116 scale miles to go all the way around. Took me and my train a couple of hours.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1624578582.JPG