73mph
New Member
I've been searching the forum and Google for answers, but I can't seem to find the exact answers I'm looking for. I'm sure it's on here somewhere, but the search engine only allows words with 4+ characters. Too many 2/3 letter acronyms in the hobby.
Background.. I plan to build a layout with DCC next year, but for this year, I'm enjoying my two O scale layouts (inner/outer 'L' shape) around the Christmas tree. Both trains are Lionels (""North Pole Central Christmas Train" and a "Santa Fe El Capitan").
I was planning to buy some constant light kits for the trains (currently using DC), but after reading some posts on here, this is not a good idea for DCC.
So, I'm sort of bored now, and want to tinker. I'm getting antsy for a DCC setup.
I'd like to setup a basic DCC setup via my computer...just something simple. I came across a thread on here about someone using Digitrax's PR3 to do this. However, some of the terminology on Digitrax's website and other places, have left me scratching my head. Not sure, if I need more than just a PR3 and the DecoderPro (JMRI) software.
To my understanding, I just need a decorder for each engine, the PR3 (w/ power adapter), and the JMRI software to do a DCC/computer setup.
However, I guess I'm confused by some of the terms that keep popping up for DCC. 'Command station' for one. This would be, in example, the Zephyr, but since I'm using a PC, I would not need this...correct?
Another would be the "LocoNet" that's in the PR3's connection illustration. But, the PR3 manual doesn't really indicate, what this connection is. I'm assuming its a general term and not hardware.
Lastly..and I'm sorry to sound even more ignorant on this last question. Does the track get its power from the PR3? Sorry, I just don't see how this tiny box would do this. Most of the DCC threads or writeups indicate a command station for this, so I would assume the PR3 is drawing the power from the computer (or AC adapter) to feed the track?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Background.. I plan to build a layout with DCC next year, but for this year, I'm enjoying my two O scale layouts (inner/outer 'L' shape) around the Christmas tree. Both trains are Lionels (""North Pole Central Christmas Train" and a "Santa Fe El Capitan").
I was planning to buy some constant light kits for the trains (currently using DC), but after reading some posts on here, this is not a good idea for DCC.
So, I'm sort of bored now, and want to tinker. I'm getting antsy for a DCC setup.
I'd like to setup a basic DCC setup via my computer...just something simple. I came across a thread on here about someone using Digitrax's PR3 to do this. However, some of the terminology on Digitrax's website and other places, have left me scratching my head. Not sure, if I need more than just a PR3 and the DecoderPro (JMRI) software.
To my understanding, I just need a decorder for each engine, the PR3 (w/ power adapter), and the JMRI software to do a DCC/computer setup.
However, I guess I'm confused by some of the terms that keep popping up for DCC. 'Command station' for one. This would be, in example, the Zephyr, but since I'm using a PC, I would not need this...correct?
Another would be the "LocoNet" that's in the PR3's connection illustration. But, the PR3 manual doesn't really indicate, what this connection is. I'm assuming its a general term and not hardware.
Lastly..and I'm sorry to sound even more ignorant on this last question. Does the track get its power from the PR3? Sorry, I just don't see how this tiny box would do this. Most of the DCC threads or writeups indicate a command station for this, so I would assume the PR3 is drawing the power from the computer (or AC adapter) to feed the track?
Thanks in advance for any help.