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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
1994 Posts |
 Posted - 11/06/2011 : 4:38:50 PM
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Duane, DCC will bring better performance to your best locomotives (but can't help split gears of course!). I was also reluctant to wade into the DCC waters, but I purchased a NCE PowerPro 5 (5-watt) and never looked back. It has been reliable, easy to use, and quite straightforward. Some guys use wireless throttles, I have such a small layout the phone-style cable isn't a problem, I just hook into one of the several panels installed around the layout and I am good to go. I would suggest whatever you get, don't low-ball the investment, as you will likely be using this for some time. What sold me on the NCE was the nice controller. I have heard from many who enjoy Digitrax but their little box controller with a choo-choo on it didn't endear me to the system. To each their own!
With DCC, you will discover a new level of performance, enjoyment of sound and full control of your models, and they will run better. Another epiphany for me was replacing the stock Bachmann decoders with better ones from SoundTraxx, NCE or Digitrax, no comparison in loco performance! Much smoother throttle response, etc. (Even for your little Bachmann Davenports, replacing the stock decoders will greatly improve their performance.)
I can also run single-cab DC on my layout, with gaps cut here and there to allow me to isolate sections with trains on them. I use a DPDT toggle to switch from DC to DCC. One thing about operating on DCC, the track needs to be CLEAN for the locos to perform well, otherwise everything stops, sound cuts out, and the programmer has to 'restart' after a few seconds. Having a garage layout will mean cleaning track will be all the more important.
I am sure you will receive other advice, and others will have a different point of view. |
Edited by - MinerFortyNiner on 11/06/2011 4:45:13 PM |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1071 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2011 : 5:21:37 PM
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Duane-
Ask the model railroaders in your immediate area what they are using. If there is a particular system that is very popular, I would give it serious consideration. Otherwise, I believe the NCE system has a nice, scaled back entry level package ... but all of the brands have a painful entry point price tag. Like you, I rarely have more than two locomotives running at the same time, but DCC makes a small layout much more fun to run. I particularly like running slow with long delays on the acceleration and deceleration curves. Slow starts and stops are awesome ... especially considering that I am running small four wheel locomotives almost exclusively. The Holidays are coming up ... maybe you can get Santa to help defray the cost of a new DCC system.
Mark Chase
Richmond VA |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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n6nvr
Engine Wiper
303 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2011 : 9:33:52 PM
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Dittos on checking with what local groups use, especially if you are planning on hooking up at some point.
The Digitrax Zephyr is a good starting point and you can easily add 2 "jump" throttles. These are very rudimentary speed and direction units supplying a 12 volt DC signal. The Zephyr takes that and converts to a DCC signal for a pre-entered address. That gives you the capability of operating 3 independent addresses. (I think you could run a consist using one of the jump throttles, but not sure of that).
Within in it's limitations it likely to be one of the most cost efficient options for a small On30 layout. (There are lower cost units but they have some significant limitations in programming, controlling and expandability, 2 digit addressing instead of 2 and 4 digit addressing, limited ability to use functions, etc.)
It has separate programming and operating track outputs. You can plug a "real" throttle or expand with a network connection. It can be a little confusing to use compared to some of the more fully featured throttles, but that's part of the trade-off to get a small combined package. It does have the capability to connect to a PC via a LocoBuffer so you can use Decoder-Pro for programming, etc. Many of the other lower price offerings don't have the capability to connect to a computer. That said there is a SPROG unit that is similar to a LocoBuffer in use and it is not limited to Digitrax networks, it does require a serial port on the throttle or network. Plus it is more expensive by about $40 or so. One of the benefits might be that it can be used with all systems it can connect to via a serial port, the LocoBuffer only to Digi Systems.
Digitrax is used by Free-Mo and a lot of clubs. It is not as confusing as some think, unless they have only used the Zephyrs or earlier throttles.
Most if not all of the On30 groups have settled on other command systems. Seems to be they settled on what their founding members had at the time.
Once you get out of the basic or beginning level units, they all seem to be very similar, and price seems to be similar.
Pretty much all standard decoders all meet the basic NMRA standards and can be controlled by all systems. Very low cost decoders, by MRC and Bachmann (IIRC) can be limited. You generally can't cross use command stations, throttles and network components between manufacturers. Power control units, like automatic reversing, surge and short circuit managements, signalling, occupancy usually are compatible with all systems.
If you are only going to run a few engines on a small layout DCC is overkill. But if you want to get into the bells and whistles (so to speak) of expanded capability sound systems, multiple units or doubleheading, hooking up with or running on modular groups, then DCC is the way to go. |
Don't push me bureaucrat, I've got a bit of hangover |
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elminero67
Engine Wiper
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2011 : 09:12:50 AM
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| Thanks for the good info. Right now Im leaning towards the Digitrax Zephyr, but havent made a decision yet... |
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jcoop
Crew Chief
USA
977 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2011 : 1:17:34 PM
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You will not regret starting off with a Zephyr, one real good thing is that Digitrax is real easy to expand if you need it.
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John
Sitting along side the orignal Central Pacific Rail Road.
Home of The Great On30 Barn Meet, that will be held April 27th 2013 |
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Tommatthews
Fireman
7275 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2011 : 1:59:39 PM
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I have two Zephyrs, one for my program track and one for my railroad. The program track which is located in a different room from the railroad is why I have the 2 units.
For a one man railroad the Zephyr is great. Very easy to understand and easy to operate. |
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andykins
Fireman
United Kingdom
3876 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2011 : 2:55:07 PM
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| as a started in DCC im meaning towards the zephyr, ive used zephyrs, as well as other DCC unit and for cost Vrs function the zephyr wins hands down, and now that they have remade it with more funtion buttons etc seams to be even better |
"Is it really "rivet counting" if it's regarding NBW castings?"
Unknown |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1071 Posts |
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elminero67
Engine Wiper
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2011 : 7:49:43 PM
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Thanks for the helpful advice, after reading the comments and links, I think Im going to order the Digitrax soon.
I picked this up today at the hardware store:
Its called "Lotsa Lights Flashing Holiday Necklace," and cost $2.99 at the checkout counter of the local hardware store. The cool thing about it is that it that the on/off switch has three settings, a fast blink, a slow blink and an "on." It also has two extra batteries. I see lots of potential uses, and like the Torre & Prietas management, very cheap. |
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elminero67
Engine Wiper
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2011 : 11:36:53 PM
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cold, rainy outside. Found this pic consuming precious memory space on my antiquated computer...dont belive it has been used before
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
1994 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 01:07:52 AM
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Great looking photo Duane...always good to see more of the T y P.
After a cold, wet start to December the weather has warmed some and has been clear as a bell. We could see more than 80 miles the other day. We've had touches of snow on the mountaintops ringing the Phoenix area after several storms passed through, and a beautiful winter in the desert! |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16448 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 04:33:38 AM
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Very nice photo, Duane.
80 miles view! That's impressive, Verne. |
Frederic Testard |
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boxcarbill
New Hire
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 1:01:26 PM
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| Hi DUANE I'm new to RR-L,& enjoy reading what other modelers are working on. I'm not all that good at photography or lighting but I think your last pics seem more realistic. I've been surprised how things on my layout showup on pictures,color,modeling errors,& such. Keep up the good work & keep on sharing more pics. BOXCARBILL |
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Tyson Rayles
Moderator
USA
10165 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 2:09:23 PM
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| Duane that's an awesome photo! [:-thumbu] |
Mike |
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boxcarbill
New Hire
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 7:26:27 PM
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| DUANE GREAT pics, keep up the good work. boxcarbill |
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Torres y Prietas mining narrow gauge
