Getting Back into Railroading after 30 or so years

[Iron Horseman]

I have one of the wire leads DCC modules, its pretty small, but I think you are right the RDC is the most roomy, although I would like to make the PA/PB unit and put the DCC in the booster and they would just be a permanent unit. Maybe that will be the second one, and I can play with sound too.

Yeah about the sound, for all the expense and effort to make an old one sound half way decent, might want to consider getting a new Broadway Limited. I've seen them selling for right around $200. I mean the sound decoder alone is going to run $70-$150.

 

[Renodemona]

Yeah about the sound, for all the expense and effort to make an old one sound half way decent, might want to consider getting a new Broadway Limited. I've seen them selling for right around $200. I mean the sound decoder alone is going to run $70-$150.

This is true although I would hate to strip off all that nice looking paint on a new model since it will be repainted anyway. But first step is a basic DCC decoder and sound can be a challenge later

 

[Iron Horseman]

This is true although I would hate to strip off all that nice looking paint on a new model since it will be repainted anyway. But first step is a basic DCC decoder and sound can be a challenge later

Ha! brake fluid baths work on old and new paint.

 

[ShadowNix]

Looking good. I have to echo others that the NCE system is a GREAT starter system. I had mine for a decade plus and moved up to the ESU system - I LOVE my ESU - it has a static station I love (reminds me of playing with trains as a kid with my dad) as well as a mobile handheld and can be run on my phone/tablet too. Made in Germany and great parts with only occasional translation issues (I speak German fluently, so no big issue). As for Zimo, well, they are great from what I hear but VERY pricey and a lot of their documentation remains in German, so if that is an issue for you, well.. careful. Also, STEEP learning curve from reports, although amazing functionality (I drool over the look of their handhelds).

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

I have a couple of N scale locos in which I installed Zimo non-sound, drop-in decoders, and they have excellent motor control. They were reasonably priced. Decoder Pro had the decoder definitions, so no German fluency was required, but the decoder manual is available online in English.

-- Andy