Is DCC for everyone?

[santafedan]

Is DCC for everyone that has a model railroad? There are many varying answers depending on the indiviual and the layout he or she is running. On large layouts, personal and club, I can see running DCC. You'll have numerous operators on thru trains, locals and yard jobs. DCC is very beneficial because the dispatcher(s) won't be pulling his hair out trying to figure out who wants to go where and throwing the wrong switch and slowing down the entire railroad. I know from experience where that can be no fun what-so-ever. With DCC "you" have total control of "your" train without having to worry if you'll be running into the next block interfering with the next trains operations. DCC has other benefits as well like motor control functions, throwing turnouts for switching, various locomotive lighting and sound affects.

But there are some who may not feel the need for DCC and are perfectly happy with analog (DC). My railroad is about 13' x 22' with a line off to one side leading to a staging yard. I currently have 9 loco's and just a hand full of blocks. Most of which are for the diesel tracks. I am the only operator so I only run one train at a time with a small amount of switching. I have tried DCC twice. Once with a Prodigy Express and the second time a Digitrax Zephyr. Each time I spent so much time trying to program and learn and cursing that I did little to no work on the railroad. Yesterday, I hooked up the MRC analog controller I had used for several years and I was much happier. I'm not against DCC. I never will be. It's not right for me at the moment. But, I won't rule out trying it a third time somewhere in the future. With the size of railroad I've got, analog is perfect for me.

SantaFeDan

[Randy Earle]

Happy Easter Dan. I Don't have any need for DCC either. I'm still using my old hand held throttles I made from an article in MR 20 years ago.

[rdg5310]

It's got it's good points and bad points. The cost is ridiculous especially if you want to add sound. But, it is allot better than when it first came out back in the 80's. I was not impressed back then with it. But you could see where the technology was going. Today it's like a status quo. If you don't have it, you have nothing in common with anyone. There's a club that opened in my town not to long ago. If you want to be a member, you got to have DCC installed in your engines and your own controllers.
I personally like DC. First off the cost factor. I would rather spend my money building great engines and cars, but the times are changing . The costs have to start coming down more before I really decide to jump ship. The DCC I'm currently adding to my builds are engines that I will be selling.

[santafedan]

I'd hate to think that some people might divide the hobby by who has DCC and who doesn't. Yeah, I know it can be a status thing. But, I don't feel I need to keep up with the Jones' to enjoy running trains. If a person wants to join a club that runs strictly DCC then he should be aware that he'd have to invest in DCC equipped loco's if he wanted do more than watch. As I told a recent aquaintance, I was in a hobby shop where a young, "newbie" shook his head and rolled his eyes when I said I was still running analog. He walked away from me as if I had the plague. I would never say anything negative about someone's desire to want DCC and I would hope the same in return. I've tried it and it's just not for me at the moment. Maybe, the third time might be the charm.

SantaFeDan

[wvsecondary]

The key to DCC is trying not to make it overly complicated. You can make it as easy or difficult as you want. About the only programming I have done has been to change the decoder addresses. I have done a little programming, but this is primarily related to lighting functions only. Yes you can reprogram all or the speed steps and go nuts there but it can lead to aggravations as well. First thing is to have a good decoder and not those 123's that you have. Cheap decoders only bring cheap results. Next is to just use it to change address and run some trains. Yes you can reprogram everything from top to bottom but this is best done with computer control and JMRI.

[gtw4633]

DCC is not for everyone, Analog is great for a small layout where you might only run one or two engines at a time. All of the clubs I'm in have at least one of the loops set up for DC or DCC. While most of us in the clubs have DCC some of us don't. One exception being one of the N scale clubs(I Get to run the one line almost by myself because I am one of the few that has all DCC stuff. Part of the other reason I went with DCC or more Specifically is that I want to use the Digitrax Signaling. The other reason is the first club I joined uses Digitrax so I got to use that. I've used Lenz, NCE, and Digitrax, and If I had to pick again and get something other than digitrax I would use NCE, although on the one layout we have to restart the system about half way through the session becuase it gets clogged up with crap in the Control Station

[CIOR]

Yup, I tell everyone to do what they want. But I've also found DCC isn't hard at all. It all goes back to just taking your time and reading through it. once you figure it out, you will never go back to DC ever again.

I was a early convert to DCC, back in 99'. I've been a Digitrax user for as long as I've been in the DCC portion of the hobby.

Today's DCC market is simple and quick, from installation to operation.

To me the key is understanding it and learning it. Just take your time.
Also that system will have everything to do with it also.

[cf7]

I started using DCC in '98 when I built an HOn3 layout using the EasyDCC system with wireless controllers. It worked well, but not well enough for me to use on my planned layout that will be started this summer. For that, I ordered two Stapleton Electronics DC memory throttles. There will be only 2 operators and since I enjoy building control panels and wiring a layout in general, this is just the ticket!

I also have used Digitrax stuff and have even given a clinic or two on DCC. I have installed over 1500 decoders but have since given all that up. I need more time to wire the layout! Oh yeah; and to build constant lighting units for my locos from diodes and 1.5 volt bulbs.

For me, DC is the way to go. Plus I don't like DCC sound and the lighting features don't impress me either. Now if I modeled an era that used ditch lights...

[Randy Earle]

If you don't have a layout, or just have a small switching layout I don't see what the deal is.

[spnut]

I have a small layout in a 10 by12 bedroom. I use Digitrax DCC.

What I have found out is that when you buy a system is that you have other friends that use the same system. This way you can answer your questions and solve your problems without wasting too much time. I have found that my friends have the same problems as I do and we use each others solutions to help keep our layout running. If you would like to talk to someone with DCC send me a personal message with your phone number and I will call you.

spnut

[Mathew]

Ill have to say I agree with most on here, Its what you want to be able to do. Im goin to use my situation as an example. For now Im working on a 2x10 layout to learn how to do things as Im still new to the hobby. With a layout that size DC makes sense. On the other hand my other goal is to eventually build a 18x34 (give or take). Im thinking DCC with the bigger layout as I want to be able to run multiple lash-ups even though Im goin to be the only operator and wont be able to work but 1 train at a time. Im not sure which way a working signal system goes as far as DC or DCC but for now Im thinking of using a small signal set up to protect a tunnel. SO thats just a little about my situation and to be honest Im still in the middle of the road when it comes to DC or DCC. I like DC for the simplicity but DCC for the features.
Mathew