Ok well I am planning my new layout in N Scale. I have not had trains up and going in several years so I am wanting to look into all the options. That brings me to asking what is dcc? I know it stands for Digital Comand Control. But how does it work? What is needed? Is there an article that I can read through and learn about it somewhere? I know that these are big questions, and I thank You for all the help in advance. Shaun
Here is a link to start you off on your new experience and learning. Beside that in a simple explanation DCC is running trains (each one) not running a track with trains on it. You need a decoder(communicator with command station), a command station/power supply and basically your set from that point. But that is a very brief explanation. You'll see but it's not difficult. Read, Learn, jump in and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2e3lJqiIaQ http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm Essentially, there is you, the decoder, and the locomotive holding the decoder. And the DCC controller. The locomotive does nothing but what the decoder tells it to do. The decoder listens to packets with its address code on it. You assign the decoder its address, the DCC system tells that address what you want the decoder to do. When the decoder receives a command, it acts. Without a command, nothing changes; no speed change, no acceleration, no sounds except normally programmed running sounds for the last speed change input the decoder received. You wire the tracks and gap them pretty much the same way, but you don't need the blocks and detectors. Reason? The track voltage is always fully at maximum. This is the only way the DCC signals carrying the individual commands with addresses can be imprinted in the voltage and sent out so that all decoders on the rails listen all the time. So, full voltage all the time, signals for commands you want issued to decoders built into the track power. You tell Decoder 2234 to accelerate the locomotive in direction X with the correct light on and the bell ringing. That's what it will do. Tell the locomotive next to it on the same powered rails to move away from the first one and it will do that. Remember that the decoder is the intermediary between the DCC system and the locomotive. IOW, between you and your inputs and the locomotive. Because track power is always high, you must have the decoder managing motion. Because each locomotive has its own decoder, you can operate the locomotives separately by first acquiring their address on the throttle, an address you give them, and then providing the command inputs via your throttle. Tell two locos to meet up and couple together and they'll do that. Try it on DC.
Thank You. That is exactly what I needed to know. Mainly because I was thinking it was the same as DC, just with a computer doing the inputs instead of me. I do think I will be using this now that I understand it better. Shaun
If you're just getting into the hobby, now would be a good time to start with DCC! It's easier to only need to get one decoder at a time with each engine purchase, as opposed to having to decoderize an entire fleet. My experience: my starter layout is 3 x 14 ft double mainline with some in-field yard area. I went with an NCE Powercab, slightly used at a good price. I can easily run 2 trains at once, usually 2 loco consists for a total of 4 loco's with no problem. Whatever system you pick, I would also recommend the USB interface to tie into a PC. The JMRI software makes programming a lot simpler once you get the hang of it. Especially for speed matching engines if you plan on having multi engine consists. Also, if for some reason you need to reset a decoder the software has all of your settings saved making it a snap to reprogram.
Shaun, Welcome to Trainboard. You don't give your age or location but, if you are old enough and in UK, you may remember things like the ZERO 1 system for Hornby. Airfix had a similar one at about the same time. They were VERY primitive compared to the new DCC setup. I remain with DC, but many on here use DCC in different scales. You are discovering already, to judge from comments above, that whatever your question, there's somebody on here can answer it. Regards, Pete Davies
Hi Shaun, I too was in your shoes when starting my current layout. I had no idea what DCC was or why I needed it. I was lucky to have a friend give me a new system and a decoder equipped loco. In fact I had the equipment years before starting the layout, and it just sat in the box. Now all the DC power supplies and throttles sit in storage. At this point I'll not go back to DC. I still don't understand all that DCC will do for me, but like most things the learning experience is part of the fun. Gary
Howdy Reddog, Great choice asking your question here on the Trainboard website. Lots and lots of smart guys here (way smarter than I) to answer your questions. I made the leap into DCC with the start of my second layout 10 years ago and have never been happier. It opens up a whole new world of freedom operating your trains. In addition to adding a new facet to the hobby (decoder progamming), it also simplifies the wiring of your layout (imho). Try this website out as well to answer any (er the ton of) questions you have. http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn2/DCC.htm As you go into your new "digital adventure" just assume you'll bang your head a few (maybe even a number of) times like me but in the end I think you'll agree it's well worth it. Brian
