People who don't use DCC do you think you made the right choice?


Thebrickfig said:
The reason I am asking is that DCC is more expensive and I personally don't like using it what does everyone else think about it and how does it affect your layout if you don't use it. (Sorry if you guys think I'm crazy for not using DCC)

:Edit, I am talking about a small layout not a huge layout.
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On a "small" layout (mine is 11' x 12' which I would say is not large), the only thing I feel like I may be missing out on is the sound. And, as I hate noise (no radio in my train room), not a big sacrifice.

I am quite happy with DC only, and operationally do not feel like I am missing out on anything. I have simple switched sidings and spurs, with live current on one rail and a simple on/off switch regulating power on the other rail, so I keep trains parked in any number of 5 or 6 places while operating a locomotive on the mainline. I currently have 4 locomotives on the layout at all times, with one open area to park my operating train when I want to bring another one onto the mainline.

It may come down more to how you have your track laid out than whether you have DC and the operational utility of it.

Dave LASM
 
Quite often on a large layout too many sound decoders can be annoying the other half tends to micromanage on a pc to get decent results but he can take ages playing until he gets the engines to go from station to station and land on platform or dissapeared into tunnel he likes all the computer chatter and can basic code I leave him to it as he enjoys getting just right where I find it tedious I do have to avoid pushing trains around when switched off as when he turns it back on it is obviou I have removed and retuned them I usually use a marker to avoid him going into meltdown lol
 
Thebrickfig said:
So what you're saying is that the Kato N scale turnouts have one track that's dead while the other has power. And when you switch them the other becomes dead while the other has power?
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My turnouts are #6 which are power routing unlike the #4s which can do both, but if you want it to bi-route for some reason just add some jumpers or bus feeds to both lines. (For my DC layout it is better that they route though)
 
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Thebrickfig said:
yeah, I feel like it's perfectly fine to use DCC but to me, model trains are a way to get away from computers, Bluetooth, and the internet and just relax while living in the moment.
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I wasn't going to reply because I've used command control since 1979 (way before DCC). I have used DCC since 1991 - before it was a standard - But cant let this go, as of today (about 30 years of DCC) I still haven't used a computer, bluetooth, or the internet with it. All that is extra stuff that people who like playing with those sorts of things add in.

For the most part two wires to the track. Type in locomotive number. Run the train.

The only thing even slightly computerish (and actually more video gamish) is when I initially set the locomotive number from 3 (factory) to the number I want. Can't have six locomotive #3s running around.
 
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First post here. New guy to the forum. Here's my take.

I am starting a new layout in a new home. But several years ago, we had a layout on a hollow-core door with an "L" shaped appendage on one end about the size of half a door. So not very big. Started it with an MRC Prodigy Advance2 with an additional handheld throttle. The fun part of running a small layout with DCC was that I could lash up consists, I could run one train on the main in a continuous loop while switching the yard or the two industries I had on the layout. I could run my switcher over the main or on and off of the main while the other train just kept on running circles. I could run a third train and have meets on one of the two passing sidings. All that, and the wiring could not be simpler.

Not knocking anyone who wants to run DC. Just saying that DCC doesn't have to be complicated, expensive (bought my system on eBay), or just for large layouts with 30 trains.
 
I don't know anyone who uses DC anymore. I'm a member in two modular clubs, both run Digitrax.
My own empire is Digitrax and fills my 2,000 square foot basement. I couldn't possibly conduct op sessions if it were DC.
I enjoy some of the challenges of DCC while some troubleshooting can get to be aggravating and that's usually because a component has given up the smoke, but I think I can resurrect it somehow.
 
Thebrickfig said:
The reason I am asking is that DCC is more expensive and I personally don't like using it what does everyone else think about it and how does it affect your layout if you don't use it. (Sorry if you guys think I'm crazy for not using DCC)

:Edit, I am talking about a small layout not a huge layout.
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I have been a firm believer in command control and have been using it since 1979 (long before it standardized on DCC and it became cheap). Nothing worse than having to find and flip switches on a control panel or panels to determine which train I am going to control. Doesn't matter what size of layout, if there are two or more locos on it command control is worth it. I use a NCE Twin DCC controller on the layout below.

trackplan.JPG
 
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Since I saw this thread reactivate and I replied last year while still using DC, I thought I'd provide an updated opinion based on my experience. While I agree with the adage of do what you want and have fun, I have to say that I would not want to go back to DC now that I've been using DCC for a while. Even on my smaller layout (5x12 foot), it has allowed me to run trains with finer control, sound (when I want it), and multiple trains in a consist easily. While DCC is no doubt more expensive, once you have a DCC system you'll likely not need another one unless you choose to do so. My NCE Powercab will likely be the most I will ever need. The DCC locomotives are not cheap, but higher-end, detailed DC locomotives (e.g. ScaleTrains) aren't exactly bargain basement prices either.

Just my two cents.
 
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I think it was the right choice. Dc is cheaper and you can easily repair it yourself if something breaks. I am young and have only just recently got two DCC engines (because they were cheap). other then sound, I still prefer DC. In the end, Do what you want! Thats model railroading! :)
 
I recently revived my affliction for HO scale DC layouts, it is cheaper and easier to manage. Sometimes I think about the sound availability but the cost for the processors and application and my limited knowledge on DCC I'll stick with DC. It is all I ever had anyway, and I don't know any better, I guess. Plenty of inexpensive DC stuff out there.
 
Kentuckyjed said:
I recently revived my affliction for HO scale DC layouts, it is cheaper and easier to manage. Sometimes I think about the sound availability but the cost for the processors and application and my limited knowledge on DCC I'll stick with DC. It is all I ever had anyway, and I don't know any better, I guess. Plenty of inexpensive DC stuff out there.
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Yeah. Like I said. I mostly use DC, And I probably still always will. That's why I like some of the sound options for DC locos, like none DCC sound decoders and the sound generators (By MRC and other).
 
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