I'm new to model railroading and I will be having a small layout. I will not be having DCC. What happens if I buy a DCC diesel engine and use it on a regular power pack??? I only ask because there are several higher quality engines that I like and they all seem to say DCC by the name. Does this hurt the engine in any way or make it run strange? thanks, eric [ 15. November 2002, 03:29: Message edited by: stc169 ]
You might find that some locomotives are sold "DCC Ready." THis means the locomotive can very easily be converted to DCC, but that it's set up for regular DC control (power pack). A DCC capable locomotive will run on DC, how well, someone else will have to tell you, I haven't tried it. As far as brands, stick with Atlas, Kato, or the newer LifeLike locomotives. These are the best running ones out there. Take it from the words of experience, the extra money you spend means better running locomtives. This means better running trains, more fun and thats the whole key. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff
Eric, \/\/ELCOME TO TRAINBOARD!! First off, if my miniscule understanding of DCC is correct, a non-DCC layout and DCC loco... *thinks* The loco will run only at top speed, as a DCC decoder only accepts a full 12V track voltage, which makes the loco only run full speed. Not very prototypical. Your best and cheaper bet is a standard non-DCC loco!
Okay... Do they say DCC ready or DCC equiped??... DCC ready means that thier not DCC.. and equipd means they have it... A basic rundown.. Atlas is the only company putting DCC in thier locomotives, no one else is.. (Kato, Lifelike.. and I guess Athearn, Intermountain, and Microtrains too now..)... And even with Atlas.. There should be a non DCC version of every engine they do.. And quite a bit cheeper at that... If your paying around $50-$69 for a non DCC engine from Atlas or Kato.. your getting a okay deal.. For Lifelike 25-40 depending on what you get... the best way to judge is watch e-bay.. and see what things go for.. But lifelike is a funny market.. they start out at about 60-70.. then once the new-ness wares off.. they drop down to about 20-30.. than as they start to get scarce.. they rise back up to about 40-50.. ~Ian
Eric, [edited] \/\/ELCOME TO TRAINBOARD!! First off, if my miniscule understanding of DCC is correct, a non-DCC layout and DCC loco... *thinks* The loco will run only at top speed, as a DCC decoder only accepts a full 12V track voltage, which makes the loco only run full speed. Not very prototypical. Your best and cheaper bet is a standard non-DCC loco! Here's a great link for very small N scale layout plans: Mike's Small Trackplans OH, I almost misread your post: They all say DCC.... Yes, they say DCC ready, or DCC-equipped. DCC equipped is what you wanna stay away from. DCC ready means they will accept a plug 'n play decoder. Just makes it easier to switch your loco to DCC. Good luck, and have fun!
Thanks for the welcome! Thanks for clearing that up for me. I guess I couldn't go wrong buy buying a "DCC ready" engine if I saw one I liked. If I ever wanted to upgrade to DCC later in life, I'd be all set. Thanks again! stc169
A DCC engine will run on straight DC,but it will take a lot of throttle to get it moving and keep it moving.I know ,I bought a decoder equiped loco by accident(the dealers accident,he had them priced the same and in the same box as the non decoder loco's)
