Newbie looking for help

[KenFountain]

Hello everyone I am a total new comer to this hobby and looking forward to learning all I can about trains. I have decided to use DCC equipment so one of my first questions is what make of locomotives, control systems, rolling stock etc. stock do y'all like and good sources to buy from. It seems I live in a state (Alabama) that has almost no clubs to join so what would be a good way to begin learning. So far I have spent a lot of time on Youtube and finding info. online. Any recommendations anyone would like to share will be welcomed. Thanks

 

[RhB Michael]

I won't mention my locomotives or rolling stock since it is not likely you will build a European based layout.

For control systems, I started with the NCE Powercab. It is an all-in-one entry level system that depending upon scale, will run a number of trains independently and in different directions. That is basically what DCC is about. Independent control of more than one train.

The Powercab puts out 2A current constant. It can handle surges of 3A before tripping the internal breaker. In HO, depending upon the locomotive and decoders, it should be able to run up to four trains comfortably. I have run as many as five with less than stellar performance. This is a current and voltage limited system. It is not adjustable for increased capacity. Voltages measured RMS on my track indicated a low of 10.8V and a high of almost 12V. For what I run, it is not enough. It is a fine starter set and I used it for five years before outgrowing it. It is a total analog system with hardware buttons for every function, though it does have a small display screen for locomotive information and function selected.

I now use the ESU Cab Control which much better suits my needs at this point. It has adjustable voltage and current up to 7A. My decoders and trains function much better on the higher voltage and increased capacity of the system. It is also wireless, which for as much as I have to walk to get around the layout doesn't really matter to me, but it does come in handing during train changes in the staging yard. All of the DCC functions are presented on a single screen so there is no paging to page 2 or 3 to get to higher functions. It is an analog/digital hybrid with physical hardware buttons and a huge motorized throttle knob as well as the touch screen. You can also program on the main including addresses without affecting other locomotives. This was a big selling point with me as I don't have a permanent program track set up. The Cab Control does have a separate program track out if you choose to use it though.

For decoders equipped with Railcom, the unit will recognize the locomotive type and the decoder and will automatically assign an address. You may name the locomotive whatever you like if you don't like what the unit names it. Function icons and assignments are automatic.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

My empire of 2,000 square feet uses the Digitrax system.
It will provide all the power you would need for a layout the size of mine for what I run on it.
I host operating sessions every couple of months were there can be upwards of 25 or more locomotives running on the layout, with sound and smoke. They offer the wireless throttles or a Wi-fi modules so you can use your smart phone to run trains. They have block detectors and signal management boards and power management systems that come in handy as you expand your empire.
I have a YouTube page: EasternSP Rails Lots of videos up there, most of em are on my layout along with other club layouts and activities.

 

[Selector]

I use Digitrax, but NCE, CVP, MRC, Lenz, Roco, they're all popular and good. Just get the right amount of amperage for all your needs, plus another two/three locomotives because we all seem to grow more of them in time.

Good places to purchase rolling stock, including locomotives: modeltrainstuff, factory direct hobbies, Walthers, trainworld, and I have gotten a lot of good service from tony'strains in the past. Factorydirecthobbies is my main go-to, with tony'strains a very close second.

You should spend some time reading rail history, learning of routes, and deciding what era(s) that you'd like to represent on your tracks. Some of us are wide in our pleasure and buy whatever locomotives are on sale, regardless of the road or era, while a great many of us limit ourselves to maybe the 'transition' era from 1930-ish to about 1960 when the last of main line steam dropped their fires and went cold forever. Some want only passenger, some want only freight, some want back woods logging with geared locomotives. Figure out what you want so that you don't spend millions instead of just many hundreds or a few thousands.

 

[Bruette]

Welcome Ken, it's always good to see new people entering the world's greatest hobby.

You picked the right place, and we are glad to have you with us!