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fatalxsunrider43

New Member
Hello ! I am new here, but not new to N scale. Although everything does seem new, not totally. We used to have a huge N scale layout back in 1995. Unfortunetly,
we had to take down our 20' x 20' garage shelf layout because of a divorce and sale of the house.
Well, 15 years later we are going for it again. We are going to build
another 20' x 20' shelf layout in our new garage. We are stocking up on some of the latest KATO, ATLAS, ATHEARN locomotives.
One thing that I noticed is the biggest change in N scale is this DCC thing.

Can I ask for all you guys to explain to me what exactly DCC is ?

How it might effect my plans for the layout ?

Are there any special aspects I should pay attention to
before purchasing items for the new lay-out ? Power Packs ? Etc.

I am really looking forward to your replies, thanks in advance !

fatalxsunrider43
 
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So, it kind of sounds like trains without DCC capability are useless once you've wired

up track for DCC. If that is so, then there will be plenty of items I'll need to part with

and replace with DCC ready models. Is that why I see so many great older Kato items

for sale on line ? fatalxsunrider43
 
Hmmm...Right now I am considering some Kato N Santa Fe PA/PB 1st releases, was told the Red is more Prototypical. But, do the 1st releases have room for Decoders ?
Maybe the 2nd releases are made DCC ready, although the Red might be a little bit off, not sure. Oh...decisions...decisions, LOL ! fatalxsunrider43
 
You have to beware of the term "DCC Ready". This can mean many things. These days, it usually means there is a socket in there you can just plug something into and go, but in older stock it can mean you have to cut PC board traces and so forth, or simply that the motor is isolated from the frame.

In some older N scale models, you may have to have the frames milled to make space for a decoder, though I think those PA's are candidiates for a drop in decoder that replaces the factory light board. I haven't been an N scaler for many years, way before DCC, but in HO I haven't found anything I cound not get a decoder into. Some modelers just opt for replacement locos because they don't have the skills, or because they have deep enough pockets to replace everything. There is a company called Aztec that specalizes in milling N scale frames. You send in your old ones, they send you new milled ones for a fee. They are here:

http://www.aztectrains.com/

Good Luck.
 
Best advice I'd give is to buy DCC equipped locomotives, it will save you the trouble of converting later. Also dont bother with starting out on conventional DC and then switching, your layout is large enough to warrant going with DCC right from the start, plus the starter sets are very well priced so you can get into DCC right from the start and then expand as your layout progresses and grows.
 
For a 20X20 layout DCC would be a good choice......on many small (2X4, 3X5,ect) layouts where you only plan to run one train at a time, the cost of DCC outways the benefits, but for layouts with lots of engines and running multiple trains, you can't beat DCC. You can still do it with DC, but the cost for all the extra wiring/electrical supplies easily exceeds the cost of the DCC. I'm not sure which brands have the option, but some DCC systems will let you run ONE DC train so you can still run your old engines. Some of the new engines are coming with dual-mode decoders that will let the engine run on either DC or DCC. And it IS possible to wire for both systems....you wire your layout for DC (blocks, insulated rail joiners, ect.) and then to run DCC you simply change the power supply and just turn everything on at once. But unless you have a specific need for that, it's a lot of extra expense.
 
weight

this is probably a non issue for you, but being dcc ready also means lighter weight. i can only speak for atlas gp 30's and 40's. i dont do dcc, so i like the older, heavier models. they will pull a few more cars. my thoughts only.....
 


Well, you know, actually I did have that thought run thru my mind.
The late 90's Kato releases seem to be heavier than the latest models.
DCC is the reason I assumed. But, I guess that means that my lash-ups will be of greater number, instead of 2 on the point, we will have to run 3...4 or more loc consists to pull the same amount of cars, I will probably be running 30 to 40 cars trains, so......weight of the engine, which increases traction thru adhesion is an important factor ay ? I have to wonder, when will they put micro sanders on my N scale loc's to increase adhesion, boy, wouldn't that play hell with slow running 5 pole skew's, grrrrrinnnnd LOL !

Thanks guys, I have learned much from your posts on DCC, I am going for a book on the subject soon.

I just need to rethink my inventory of Locomotives. Since I am going to model Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific, I might consider getting rid of my Atlas/Kato Chessie's, BN green's, Conrail blues, CNW, Rio Grande's.
I 'm having a little bit of a hard time letting go...What do you guys think...
part with the odd Road names or what......... ?

Truly fatalxsunrider43
 
If your major goal is to model SF, UP & SP, you're going to have a hard time justifying Chessie, Conrail, CNW, etc. on your layout.

Maybe it's time to consolidate your loco roster. Sell off the excess and re-invest the proceeds in DCC stuff.

Also consider the era you plan to model. Double-stack containers don't look right behind steamers and Alco PA's! You may need to weed through your rolling stock and eliminate what doesn't fit your chosen era.

Or you can just run whatever pleases you! You don't have to please anyone else, only yourself!

Darrell, quiet...for now
 
I'll cast my vote for going with DCC in the beginning. I kept putting it off and buying plain-DC locomotives until I finally bit the bullet and installed it in March 2007. I've been installing my own decoders a few at a time, decent motor-only versions can be had for as little as $12 apiece.
 
I like the idea of wiring for blocks, and then when I go DCC just turn on all
the blocks. Someone here suggested that during these posts.

fatalxsunrider43
 
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