Here is what I am currently think.... I layout will eventually have about 150 ft of main line fit into 16x14 area (I hope). Should end up with two small yards and a some what separate logging operation and also a small mining operation. I plan to do this by going to two levels.
I only have rough track plan at this point, most of it in my head, so can't share a picture yet.
Eventually I could see two people having some fun with the trains. (Two throttles). The logging in mining areas would have only two locos each, with some time a visiting short line engine visiting to bring in supplies and remove product.
The main line could support three to four trains with 2 to 4 engines on each.
At this point I can't understand why I would put the turnouts on DCC. I would like to have sound in some of the loco's I think.
I looks like I would need 5 amps or more.
Now I think that this will take more then three years to build all of this, If not more. I don't what to buy more then I need and think that adding to it as I go makes sense.
Now some questions.
I am considering buying the Bachmann EZ controller. It is cheap and low on features, but I don't know what features I want this might fit OK for now. The immediate draw back to doing this is not being able to program all the CV.
1. So can I buy something that would hook to my laptop PC and then to a programming track to over come this problem?
2. Later when I know more about what I want out of DCC and buy a better system, can I just move the Bachmann to operate the logging or mining area? If so could I start a loco running on the short line controlled by the new DCC system and have it transition into the block controlled by the Bachmann?
3. I guess that when I got smart enough to upgrade to the system that could handle it all correctly I could sell the Bachmann on eBay or just set it on the back shelf, after all they only are going for about $60 on the Internet now.
So the big question is this a bad approach for someone that can make up their mined about what to buy?
Thanks for you help.
Kent
I only have rough track plan at this point, most of it in my head, so can't share a picture yet.
Eventually I could see two people having some fun with the trains. (Two throttles). The logging in mining areas would have only two locos each, with some time a visiting short line engine visiting to bring in supplies and remove product.
The main line could support three to four trains with 2 to 4 engines on each.
At this point I can't understand why I would put the turnouts on DCC. I would like to have sound in some of the loco's I think.
I looks like I would need 5 amps or more.
Now I think that this will take more then three years to build all of this, If not more. I don't what to buy more then I need and think that adding to it as I go makes sense.
Now some questions.
I am considering buying the Bachmann EZ controller. It is cheap and low on features, but I don't know what features I want this might fit OK for now. The immediate draw back to doing this is not being able to program all the CV.
1. So can I buy something that would hook to my laptop PC and then to a programming track to over come this problem?
2. Later when I know more about what I want out of DCC and buy a better system, can I just move the Bachmann to operate the logging or mining area? If so could I start a loco running on the short line controlled by the new DCC system and have it transition into the block controlled by the Bachmann?
3. I guess that when I got smart enough to upgrade to the system that could handle it all correctly I could sell the Bachmann on eBay or just set it on the back shelf, after all they only are going for about $60 on the Internet now.
So the big question is this a bad approach for someone that can make up their mined about what to buy?
Thanks for you help.
Kent