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The more I read the more I am getting frustrated, should my first setup be DC or DCC ? I must admit I know nothing about my new upcoming hobby, I've never even had a trainset when I was a kid. Everyone says DCC is more expensive, what are we talking about for money and what's envolled ? Is DCC just a power pack like DC or do you need an extra controller ? Eventually I would like to have more than one engine on the track. My budget right now is about $400. I also would like to have some switches (turnouts) on my setup, do these switches come with some sort of controller to activate ? Now if I go with DC does it only require a transformer or power pack to operate and are the switches (turnouts) controlled by a seperate controller. Are there any websites that explain what's envolled in both DCC and DC ?
So should it be DCC or DC ?
Please help this newbie.
For large layouts, DCC is great. Starter sets range from 200 to 500 dollars. Each locomotive needs a decoder. If you want something simplier, go with DC. It's easy to use and the trains can be ran right out of the box. For a small layout, DC is what I would recomend to you.
If you can afford it DCC is the way to go if starting out. You might want to visit a local train club and check it out. Most meet once a week. For 400 bucks you can get a decent engine, some track, a Bachmann EzCommand and a couple of rolling stock. You'll of course need to set it up somewhere. After that save your pennies because you'll get bored of a basic layout and want to expand if you get the bug.
Good Luck
DCC is much more than just a power pack like DC. With a DC power pack you can run 2 or 3 trains at the same time all in the same direction and at the same speed. DCC is different. You can run those same 2 or 3 trains all at the same time, at different speeds and in different directions all completely independant from each other, but it's much more expensive than DC. My Digitrax Zephyr cost me $180 and that doesn't include the decoders that run the locomotives. Not being a sound freak I only require basic motor and lighting control so my decoder of choice (Digitrax DZ125) cost me $25 each. Each locomotive has to have a decoder to be controlled by a DCC controller. Connecting the controller to your track is simple, just connect it to the wire that was connected to the DC power pack. Once you go into DCC you won't , in most cases, go back.
Since your budget is small (relative to costs of big layouts) I recommend the MRC Prodigy Express, It is around $110 if you shop around and is a good starter set.
If you are only running one train at a time like I do, there is no reason to invest in it. If you have a long mainline with passing sidings and several trains at once, then I would go with DCC. Even though I know DCC is the superior system, I simply cannot afford it.
As much as I am a real keener for DCC, I would have to agree that you can get more railroading into your first modest layout by building some extra kits and scenicking it nicely, but using good old DC. This assumes you will only run one engine for the foreseeable future. As soon as you want to place a mate on the rails, things change.
You can adopt DCC any time you can scrimp and save up $130. It is almost plug and play if your layout wiring is very typical...and simple. All you would lose would be the DC power pack.
Although, you would also need at least one decoder. If you can install the decoder yourself, it might cost you as little as $14 plus shipping. If you want sound, $70 plus shipping.
The bottom line is that we grow in many ways in this hobby. Our knowledge grows, our desire grows, our skills grow, the room we "need" grows, the size of the third engine we buy grows.....so our controlling needs grow. That kind of implies DCC these days. Pay now, pay later.
Eventually I would like to have more than one engine on the track. My budget right now is about $400. I also would like to have some switches (turnouts) on my setup, do these switches come with some sort of controller to activate ? Dave
If you want to run more than one train than DCC will make life easy for you.
If you really think you will get into the hobby I feel that DCC is the way to go. If your layout involves the running of more than one train and you want to park one train in a siding and then bring another one out DCC lets you do this. If you tried to do this with DC you would have to wire the whole layout with "blocks" and then have toggle switches to turn track power on and off in each block. its not fun in my opinion to spend hours under the layout just to do the same thing that DCC will do with just 2 wires to power the track.
the only down side to DCC is that locos factory equipped with DCC decoders are a little pricy. you can find DCC equipped locos on ebay for under $100 but finding the engine you like with DCC for cheap is sometimes hard. The good news is that if you find a loco that is not equipped with a DCC Decoder, you can install a decoder for $20. if your not sure how there are plenty that can install one for you for a reasonable cost.
DCC basicly gives each engine its own commands kinda like running a RC car. If you want a good starter unit the MRC express or advanced is a reasonable and simple unit.
Dave...I suggest you visit local clubs and hobby shops, pick folks brains and hopefully get to see DCC and DC in action on layouts...that way you'll actually see the pros and cons of each system in person.
Heres a link to clubs in Conneticut https://www.nmra.org/directory/clubs/clubs-AE.html
