Help On Dcc

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J

Jason K

Member
Hi,
I am slowly getting into model railroading again..I have a Athearns GP40-2 non dcc HO, I just bought a MTH Mikado HO.I am building on a 4X8 for now plan on going bigger later on.Here it is.I want the MTH to have to have the bells,whisles working lights on and off plus smoke on and off the other are not a must it would be nice. I was told I have to get a MTH DCC to make it all work.Heres the kicker I want to put DCC in my GP 40-2 sooner or later Would the MTH work with the GP40-2.Plus what would I lose if I want to a diff. dcc as in name brand.I am a beginer at this dcc I now nothing about it,but is a must for my MTH plus I want to keep up with times and move up in to dcc.What dcc would run mostly everything I what or everything I am a bugget for now. I can spend up too 300 on one for now.Like I said I do not to get lost on a running a big dcc.I am looking something easy for now or do I have a choice or not..I need help on this matter ..

Thanks
Jason K
Oh this is my frist post here. Hi everyone..:D
 
Welcome to the forums :)

There's a tonne of threads on DC vs DCC for newbies and/or returning MRRers so I'd suggest having a look at those for opinions on the different controllers. It's a pretty common question these days.

With MTH DCC you will find it is most likely DCS, which is not the same. DCS is a similar concept but it's proprietary, not an open standard, so non-MTH trains will likely NOT play nice with it. I would stick with DCC as there's really nothing to stop you from putting whatever type of decoder you like into a train, just that some might not be a simple "drop-in" installation and require some wiring.
 
OK with that being said.. What DCC out there that would fit the bill I am looking for I am looking for something simple to set up but I am willing too learn too in a better one..

Thanks
Jason
 


Jason K said:
Hi,
I am slowly getting into model railroading again..I have a Athearns GP40-2 non dcc HO, I just bought a MTH Mikado HO.I am building on a 4X8 for now plan on going bigger later on.Here it is.I want the MTH to have to have the bells,whisles working lights on and off plus smoke on and off the other are not a must it would be nice. I was told I have to get a MTH DCC to make it all work.Heres the kicker I want to put DCC in my GP 40-2 sooner or later Would the MTH work with the GP40-2.Plus what would I lose if I want to a diff. dcc as in name brand.I am a beginer at this dcc I now nothing about it,but is a must for my MTH plus I want to keep up with times and move up in to dcc.What dcc would run mostly everything I what or everything I am a bugget for now. I can spend up too 300 on one for now.Like I said I do not to get lost on a running a big dcc.I am looking something easy for now or do I have a choice or not..I need help on this matter ..

Thanks
Jason K
Oh this is my frist post here. Hi everyone..:D
Click to expand...

Welcome. I'm afraid, based on what I understand, that you will not be able to MU (multiple unit) your DCC GP-40 with an MTH locomotive. The GP-40 will not run at the same speed when they are consisted, or made to run together digitally linked with the same address. You can make the MTH loco work to an extent, but without altering its running characteristics, if you use a DCC system, but you won't get your DCC GP-40 to run on DCS. So, you are hooped unless you can get either engine's running characteristics changed to run well with the other one. You'll need a friend with either one, and you get the other, or vice versa.
 
Can you not fit a regular DCC decoder from TCS/Digitrax/whoever into an MTH loco? I would have thought you could unless MTH are using some sort of fancy proprietary motor design as well.
 
There are many different DCC systems as well as starter systems. NCE has a starter kit for about $150. For a 4x8 for now thats all you will need as it comes with a power supply and hand throttle. For your DC GP, you will have to wire in a decoder in order for it to work. Good luck to ya.
 
MTH only recently agreed to produce locomotives that are DC-only into which decoders could be added. If this MTH loco has a DCS decoder, it will be a bit of a job to get a DCC decoder wired in...so I have heard. I personally don't see why, but apparently it can be a chore. The other problem is that you have to hope to be able to unload the DCS decoder on eBay for a decent price.
 
What model of NCE would you say would be a good one?I am thinking of taking back my MTH and find something that has DCS it would have to be a good smoker,with sound and UP railroad steamer.Model does not matter as long it is a nice steamer price with in reason of Like 300-400 in that price or cheaper..Or even a used one.Well I just called the place where I got the MTH and they said all sales are final.So I am looking for a DC for now.Then get a DCC later.I thank all of you that replied to my post.
 
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Jason, you are mixing up your terms and may be confusing yourself.

DCS = MTH.

DCC = The Rest of the HO World.

So, if you take back your MTH loco, you won't be replacing it with a DCS locomotive. Instead, you want a DCC-equipped locomotive, which you cannot get from MTH.

You need a DCC system, and they can be had from any number of places: modeltrainstuff, trainworld, litchfieldstation, caboosehobbies, internettrains.com, internethobbies, tonystrainexchange, dallasmodelworks, ullrichmodels, toytrainheaven, cherrycreek,....and about 26 others.

Which model? Any starter set offering you about 2-3 amps. The only one I know for sure offers that many amps is the Digitrax Zephyr. I am not familiar with MRC, NCE, Lenz, EZDCC, and others. If you go to their sites, you'll soon learn what they have to offer you. For sure, absolute sure, don't get anything less than two full amps. I would not be happy with less than three, but I use a 5 amp Super Empire Builder from Digitrax.
 
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My MTH HO Steamer (4-6-6-4) Challenger works just fine with my NCE system ... smokes, lights, sounds - does everything I need it to do in DCC (I don't do advanced consisting).
 


I use the NCE PowerCab, which is the system Charles described that retails for around $150. Very simple to use and the best part is that it's completely expandable. NCE have designed their system in such a way that you can add boosters to increase the amps, more controllers, more panels etc, and your original PowerCab purchase will never become obsolete along the way.
 
I don't mean to butt in but what about the decoders? Do all work with the NCE system or are there specific ones to buy depending on the DCC system? Jason, I hope you don't mind me jacking you thread!!
 
Dcc is an open archtecture system, in other words, anyone can develop decoders, add ons, etc and they will work.:D

Right now, I've got decoders from NCE,Digitrax,TCS,Lenz,QSI,and Soundtraxx in my engines. They all work as advertised.:D
 
NMRA (the National Model Railroad Association) develops standards for the industry. Products built to that standard will function with any other manufacturers product built to the same standard.
In the early days of model railroading, that wasn't the case. Nobody's stuff would work with anybody else's. It were a big time mess!
 
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