Hello to all..(sorry in advance for my long explanation below)
I am still tossing up to go with MRC Dcc or stick with my Dc system...have some pros n cons..
Soon i will be starting a HO Scale layout for Train show Exhibits with up to 5 main lines,a logging level with continous and point to point concept with auto stop start feature and a moderate sized shunting yard/area and an angle or 2 as well as a turntable..app size is 2 boards each 3 x 5m..joined in an Lshape design ( design could change again:mrgreen
All Peco code 100 flexi and points..
Current power supply i have on hand from a previous layout is a whopping 10 amp DC and 10 amp AC power unit all in the one enclosure and weighs a tonne!!Also have 2 GaugeMaster handhelds 1.5A output each and a dual GuageMaster flush panel controller both also 1.5A output..they were given to me..lucky catch..so im thinking of using these and buying another dual panel..all connected to the power supply unit etc..
Extensive collection of old Rivarossi steam locos (about 40) ranging from the classic 4-4-0 to the 4-8-8-4 Big Boys+Challengers+Mallets as well as all others sized Rivarossi steam in between and Heislers,,large range of old Athearn Dels (about 20 or so and still buying),,say about 10 older tyco/mantua steam from 4-6-0 to several of the 2-6-6-2 logging mallets,,,some bachmann,,a few Brass Hallmark locos with the old frame motors etc..and more....out of all my motive power i have only 4 New DCC ready and one DCC Equiped...all the rest are old DC..
So i have a LOAD of decoders to buy and i know that adds up $$$..and im concerned about installation into all my Athearn Diesels and all my Rivarossi locos..all have tender pick ups bar one or two?does this create a concern?
My aim is to have doudle header steam and Diesel Freight running,,large freight hauled by Bigboys and Challengers,,and many passenger sets mostly hauled by the rivarossi steam locos,,,the Heislers and shays running on a higher level with continous as well as point to point operation.
Nataurally for each mainline there will be a large stowing/siding area out the back to enable a large variety of trains to select from etc..
My friend has an extensive collection of Fleischmann,Lilliput,Roco European gear all NON DCC and he is interested
in joining me for the yearly exhibit to help run the layout..We are adopting a system where i run my american gear for i dunno say 30 min and then remove all mine and stow and then he runs his and vice versa,,,so as said this layout will have multiple stowage/siding capacity out the back for each line on each level...
I would like to make operation as easy as possible,,just get the power going for each track and have the locos do thier thing and sit back and enjoy..while manually doing some shunting,,using the turntable and angles..picking up a few freight cars from here to there to add realism and create a working layout etc...whilst monitoring the other 5 mainlines etc until we are ready to do our "changeover" as explained..leaving the layout to kinda run on auto pilot i guess..going for a walk out the front to answer qstns and genearally "socialise"..
I know some ins and outs of DCC,,this system could be good for my purpose but i think a rather costly decision for all concerned to install decoders and im not sure my friend wants to do that to his european gear..
In blunt summary... what would you use ...DCC or DC?perhaps both...
im leaning towards DC..
cheers J
I am still tossing up to go with MRC Dcc or stick with my Dc system...have some pros n cons..
Soon i will be starting a HO Scale layout for Train show Exhibits with up to 5 main lines,a logging level with continous and point to point concept with auto stop start feature and a moderate sized shunting yard/area and an angle or 2 as well as a turntable..app size is 2 boards each 3 x 5m..joined in an Lshape design ( design could change again:mrgreen
All Peco code 100 flexi and points..
Current power supply i have on hand from a previous layout is a whopping 10 amp DC and 10 amp AC power unit all in the one enclosure and weighs a tonne!!Also have 2 GaugeMaster handhelds 1.5A output each and a dual GuageMaster flush panel controller both also 1.5A output..they were given to me..lucky catch..so im thinking of using these and buying another dual panel..all connected to the power supply unit etc..
Extensive collection of old Rivarossi steam locos (about 40) ranging from the classic 4-4-0 to the 4-8-8-4 Big Boys+Challengers+Mallets as well as all others sized Rivarossi steam in between and Heislers,,large range of old Athearn Dels (about 20 or so and still buying),,say about 10 older tyco/mantua steam from 4-6-0 to several of the 2-6-6-2 logging mallets,,,some bachmann,,a few Brass Hallmark locos with the old frame motors etc..and more....out of all my motive power i have only 4 New DCC ready and one DCC Equiped...all the rest are old DC..
So i have a LOAD of decoders to buy and i know that adds up $$$..and im concerned about installation into all my Athearn Diesels and all my Rivarossi locos..all have tender pick ups bar one or two?does this create a concern?
My aim is to have doudle header steam and Diesel Freight running,,large freight hauled by Bigboys and Challengers,,and many passenger sets mostly hauled by the rivarossi steam locos,,,the Heislers and shays running on a higher level with continous as well as point to point operation.
Nataurally for each mainline there will be a large stowing/siding area out the back to enable a large variety of trains to select from etc..
My friend has an extensive collection of Fleischmann,Lilliput,Roco European gear all NON DCC and he is interested
in joining me for the yearly exhibit to help run the layout..We are adopting a system where i run my american gear for i dunno say 30 min and then remove all mine and stow and then he runs his and vice versa,,,so as said this layout will have multiple stowage/siding capacity out the back for each line on each level...
I would like to make operation as easy as possible,,just get the power going for each track and have the locos do thier thing and sit back and enjoy..while manually doing some shunting,,using the turntable and angles..picking up a few freight cars from here to there to add realism and create a working layout etc...whilst monitoring the other 5 mainlines etc until we are ready to do our "changeover" as explained..leaving the layout to kinda run on auto pilot i guess..going for a walk out the front to answer qstns and genearally "socialise"..
I know some ins and outs of DCC,,this system could be good for my purpose but i think a rather costly decision for all concerned to install decoders and im not sure my friend wants to do that to his european gear..
In blunt summary... what would you use ...DCC or DC?perhaps both...
im leaning towards DC..
cheers J
)