Following DCC Trains Part 1, my quest to find out more about this emerging technology took me to my (very helpful) local model shop.
Up to this point, some people I have spoken to say that my son, aged 8, is far too young to cope with the complexities of DCC trains. Others have said that if he loves model trains he will love DCC. (I have sided with the latter). I have looked at the options available and even operated a DCC layout; I have weighed up the pros and cons in the hope that, come Christmas morning, my son will not be disappointed! So what is DCC all about?
DCC, or Digital Command Control, is rapidly replacing the conventional DC (Direct Current) controls that have characterized model trains since the first half of the 20th Century. In a nutshell, and without getting too embroiled in the jargon behind it all, DCC allows you to run more than one locomotive on the same section of track but with the added bonus that they can be independently controlled.
So how do DCC Trains work?
The DCC controller provides electrical power to the track and it also modulates the voltage on the track to encode digital messages that are sent directly to the locomotive. Obviously, your locomotives must be able to make sense of the digital signals and to do this they must be fitted with a DCC decoder.
You can’t operate conventional model trains with a DCC controller so you have two options: either buy an off-the-shelf DCC train or have a DCC decoder fitted to an existing locomotive. I was warned off tackling a retro-fit myself and told this is something best left to the experts - so if you’re like me, expect to pay for the upgrade!
It is (relatively) straightforward to master the control system, even for a novice, and allows far greater control over the running speed of your locomotives which (and this is what has surprised and pleased me the most) adds even greater realism to the running of your trains. The level of control they bring would have been unthinkable only a few years ago!
The DCC unit that comes with the train set I have my eye on for my son, the Hornby Select, is an entry-level DCC that can be bought as part of a set or independently. The Select can control up to 10 trains simultaneously (provided the necessary power is available).The 1 amp power allows up to three locomotives to be running at any one time which is probably more than adequate for most requirements.
Adding that touch of realism
With advanced models of DCC controllers, a stationary decoder can be added to the tracks so that lights, signals, uncouplers and points – essentially anything that adds to the overall realism of your layout – can be operated from via DCC.
As it continues to be developed and new accessories arrive on the market, model train enthusiasts have the opportunity to be more expansive in their designs than ever before. And remember, you can be incorporating your existing track and rolling stock all the time!
Oh, and one other thing – once you understand how the DCC system operates, you should find that the wiring for DCC is far easier to work with than conventional systems. Your trains should move smoothly around the layout without unscheduled stoppages due to point failures. So if, like me, you are often woken from your slumbers or dragged away from your glass of wine with a plaintive cry of ‘Dad, the trains have stopped working’, this new development will come as a blessed relief.
And as the owner of one specialist shop told me; ‘Once tried, there is absolutely no going back!’ I’m hooked already.
Do you have any comments on DCC? Have you tried to upgrade an existing locomotive to DCC. Please share your experiences here!
Posted under OO Trains, dcc trains
This post was written by Express_Dave on October 15, 2008
I fitted a decoder to my grandson’s 34 yr old Oliver Cromwell [Hornby R552], that belonged my son, if you can drill a 6mm hole and can solder 4 wires you can have success.
Just came in to say hello. been narrow gaugin’ for 10 years