DCC

A big question this...

I'm thinking about gradually converting my layout to DCC (I haven't got the money to fit decoders to all my locos in one go, so leaving a couple of tracks DC for a year or two seems a reasonable option as I don't want to only be able to run only one DC loco at a time just yet)

Putting aside the financial aspect, what in your experience is the best DCC controller, bearing in mind that:

*I am no electronic or software whizzkid. Simplicity is the watchword!
*Nevertheless, I am attracted to the idea of playing around with the maximum/minimum speed and inertia of locomotives to develop a realistic driving experience. Sound and lights are something I'd like to have on a few locos.
*I do not want to operate my points and signalling by DCC, as a signalling enthusiast I use banks of switches to represent lever frames.
*A controller that is easily upgradeable to deal with new developments would clearly be most attractive.

Thanks!

 

I belong to a group that model HO American (steam and early diesel). We have a large permanent layout (http://www.chappers.fotopic.net/c849898.html, www.nlsme.co.uk)and many many locomotives. We went to DCC about five years ago, first on a branch and then spread it down the layout gradually as we found we liked it and saw that it was hear to stay. Our layouts are both able to be due digital and analogue control when, as I said, allowed us to expand gradually, and still allow operation of unconverted models. Like you we have not digitised the control of switches or signals (though there are places this could be advantageous) The way we work it is that the block sections on the layout are all multiple control by at least two "controllers" to enable operation by more than one person at a time indifferent areas. One of these feeds is now fed from our DCC command modal (and repeaters). The others remain connected to the DC cabs (Forgive the US terms). We find this is very flexible and workable, provided the operators remember to look ahead to the sections they are about to control. Most recent DCC chips will auto sense and convert to straight DC, but running a DC loco into a live AC section produces some interesting sound effects and in extremes can fry a motor or circuit. If you are used to selecting and deselecting sections as you operate, you should not find this a problem. Needless to say when we began the DCC operators had to strictly control their sections. Now the whole layout is switched to DCC unless you have a small section in use DC and woe betide you is you forget to switch it back when your out!

In terms of equipment we have used NCE command stations and controllers but they are all NMRA computable to a foreign controller will still work. The command station is the expensive bit, but you only need one of these but you will need repeaters if your layout is any length. Loco Chips come from every which way now and I have bought some as cheap at £20. If you want to play with sounds, lights, momentum, double headers etc then a computer based editor is a good idea. One where you can same all your different setting and return to whence you came. Decoder Pro is the one we have used but there are others.