DCC suggestions

[148bill148]

Hello, I am starting to jump back into the hobby - kind of. Every year, I used to put a train under the tree and it grew and grew to an 8x4 board. That went away for a while (young kids).


Now, I am planning on setting up a board that will be "on legs" which I can take from the garage into the house during the holidays.

I am looking into setting up a plan that is reasonably complicated enough for fun outside, but one that I can also set up and let the trains run (about 4-6 trains at a time) during the holidays that the kids/company will enjoy without having to fiddle with the controls much.

I have been researching the DCC scene and I believe that I will go with a Bachmann EZ decoder system.

Any comments or suggestions??????

 

[SpaceMouse]

Welcome.

The Bachmann EZ DCC is a starter system whose main quality is that it is cheap. It would be like buying a Yugo automobile without a radio or air conditioning. It will get you to work, but after a while you start wishing you had some of the things other people have and does not have a good upgrade path.

For a little more you can get an MRC Prodigy Express that is everything the EZ system is not.

If you are serious about Model Railroading I would recommend the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Pro Cab. Since you have kids, the Zephyr is nice because you can attach your old transformer to the back and run two trains. Pick up another on eBay and you have the choice or running three trains.

 

[148bill148]

I thought that when you go DCC, you already could run several trains with one controller?????

 

[SpaceMouse]

Theoretically, yes. But without multiple throttles. It would go something like this on your small layout. You push a bunch of numbers and select a train, you get it running. Then you push a bunch more numbers and get the second train running. Uh, oh the first train is going too fast and will not make it to the siding in time. Quick, switch, punch your bunch of numbers, Oh no! Now the second is going to crash into the first...

Any system will run multiple trains, but for controlling them each needs their own throttle. Digitrax makes a throttle that will control two trains without switching. The NCE has a recall function that if you "keep clean" can be pretty quick to change, but the EZ DCC has nothing like those.

You are heading the right direction by thinking of DCC, don't get discouraged.

 

[sinebar]

Hello, I am starting to jump back into the hobby - kind of. Every year, I used to put a train under the tree and it grew and grew to an 8x4 board. That went away for a while (young kids).


Now, I am planning on setting up a board that will be "on legs" which I can take from the garage into the house during the holidays.

I am looking into setting up a plan that is reasonably complicated enough for fun outside, but one that I can also set up and let the trains run (about 4-6 trains at a time) during the holidays that the kids/company will enjoy without having to fiddle with the controls much.

I have been researching the DCC scene and I believe that I will go with a Bachmann EZ decoder system.

Any comments or suggestions??????

If you get a Digitrax Zephyr be sure to make the store demonstrate that it works. I bought one and it didn't work straight out of the box. Now I have to send the stupid thing in to fix a brand new controller.

 

[UP2CSX]

Chip makes the E-Z Command more complicated than it really is although multiple throttes do make it easier. You just press #4 to get the locomotive assigned to #4 to start. Once that's doing what you want, you press the button of the next loco and it starts. If you want to change the first loco, you just press #4 again. The only real annoyance is that the throttle will have to be adjustd if loco #5 was going slowere or faster than #4. If all else fails, there's always the emergency stop button. If you're just getting back in the hobby, it's hard to beat an E-Z Command system for $50 or less on e-bay. You can pick up an outboard DC throttle for less than $15 and run both DC and DCC engines on the same track. If you get more serous about the hobby, you haven't blown a whole bunch of money and the E-Z Command is more than capable of doing what most beginners want from a DCC system.

 

[SpaceMouse]

Thanks Jim,

I stand corrected.

 

[148bill148]

Thanks for all the replies. What about installing decoders into the engines I do have? I have seen some videos on you tube on installs w/o plugs. I have also seen where one can send them (locos) off to have your decoders custom installed. Worth doing yourself?

 

[ThoroughBreed]

Thanks for all the replies. What about installing decoders into the engines I do have? Worth doing yourself?

Of course its worth doing yourself! Take the time and do a complete lube, and cleaning of the engine and gears while your in there. You'll be more than satisfied that way.

 

[pa steam]

I entered the DCC world with a MRC Prodigy Advance system. I like it. Very easy to use.

I too would like to install some decoders in my older loco's but I am scared about blowing up a new decoder. they aren't cheap.

 

[dnhouston]

Then I would recommend going with a Lenz decoder. Not because they are better or cheaper, but because they come with a 100%, no questions asked, goof-proof guarantee. If it doesn't work, even due to being improperly installed, they will replace it.

 

[lmackattack]

i just got my first dcc controller last month(MRC advanced squared)i love it! it will suite my needs to run 2 trains at once for a long time. i think i payed 210 shipped. it has a handheld controller and is easy to switch back and forth to my locos running.

 

[pa steam]

dnhouston....thanks for the advise. That is very good to know.