Using DCC-EX you can control DC locos with your Phone, Tablet and some other DCC throttles. The video above shows just a hint of what you can do. One huge thing that I'm now aware of any commercial Command Station doing is that you can run DC and DCC locos on the same layout and not only use a phone throttle to control the DCC loco but also the DC loco!! Of note for you DC guys that have no interest in changing to DCC according to the guys developing DCC-EX you could build a DCC-EX Command Station (easy to do) for well under a $100 and use it to power a DC only layout and use your phone to control trains just like how the guys do with their phones/tablets with DCC. I'll bet a number of you have wished for a cheap wireless handheld throttle to use with DC. If you have an Android phone, tablet or some of the commercial DCC wireless throttles you could have that. More on TrackManager here.... https://dcc-ex.com/trackmanager/index.html#gsc.tab=0 Sumner
Great point about the option of simply using DCC++ as a DC power pack for a completely DC layout. How many DC blocks can DCC++ independently control? Is there a way to manage "DC blocks" via the throttle app? I suppose one could "consist" two or more DC blocks together via one address on the throttle?
I haven't used DCC-EX in this manner but asking questions I've been told 8 blocks. I think with the command station you can have two. Past that you have to add other motor shield with each one handling 2 blocks. The motor shields are in the $25-$40 range. The way I understand it EngineDriver can control the blocks. This is not as simple as setting up a DCC-EX Command Station, which is very easy to set up. I do believe that there are a number of people who want to stick with DC that can do this though. It isn't an overwhelming task and I believe if I was in that group I'd be doing it. It is a lot simpler than what a lot of DC modelers have done over the years and the option of being able to run a number of DC trains at the same time with a wireless phone throttle should be a big incentive . Sumner
For someone with a bunch of analog locos and a blocked DC layout, this could be a very nice upgrade for their layout!
