Starting in DCC

I think the major DCC system suppliers all have complete starter systems.    You don't have to piece the control system together, you can get it all in one spot.   The 2 most common DCC systems used in my area are from Digitrax and North Coast Engineering (NCE).     Lenz and CVP (EasyDCC) Are also used by a lot of people.    I think there are a couple of European manufactured systems also.    MRC also has some DCC control systems which might work for you I think.    I am not familiar with their products.

You can run straight DC locos with a DCC system but it is not recommended for long term operation.

A lot of the decoders (receivers) available now  can be run with either DCC or DC.    

The nice thing about DCC is that any control system can run any decoder if both systems are made to the NMRA standard.    All that I am aware are made to that standard.    So you can run locos with decoders from any mfg with a control system from any other mfg.     There are a lot of mfg that only make decoders and not control systems.    You can easily get decoders to install in older locos that do not have them or to up grade some you have.

Look at the Blunami decoder from SoundTraxx.  You can use DC power, but run it off your phone with DCC.  I don't know all the vagrancies about it...but there are many videos from Soundtraxx.  I run an NCE DCC system on my O scale 2 rail, but I am intrigued by Blunami.  If I were just starting in DCC I would go this route most likely.  I am sure I will try it at some point.  Here is more info...

If you are comfortable doing a little tinkering, DCC-EX is a way to build your own command station for very little cost.

You can control trains from your phone if you add the wifi module, or even without it if you connect to a computer running JMRI.

I've been reading up quite a bit on DCC-EX. As a computer and electronic tinkerer, it seems like might be just the thing for me. They've brought in the capability to run it from a computer, WiFi on a smartphone, and now multi-standard dedicated DCC handheld remotes (for folks like me who don't much care for touchscreens).

Right now, it's running with an Arduino "motor shield" acting as the DCC signal injector and power controller, which makes it essentially a single-station system. But from what I've gathered, standardized boosters for larger layouts are something that may become a feature soon as the software's capabilities keep expanding.

If DCC-EX booster designs become a reality, it will make this system perfect for running everything from small layouts to large ones, including O and G scale economical. We already have DCC decoders which can fit very small N scale all the way up to the power requirements of O and G scale. The biggest problem has been the current handling capabilities of the boosters has lagged behind a bit; NCE has been the only manufacturer with the high-current boosters needed for large HO layouts and larger scales. Yet there are much less expensive motor controllers which can be applied under DCC-EX that can open up a world of economical alternatives.

I have collections of both N scale (specifically old Ibertren "2N") and Lionel O gauge. A modular system like this could allow me to build DCC command control systems for both with a much lower cost of entry for the layout controls and power system. Decoders are kind of a fixed expense; they either cost $$ to upgrade old locomotives to DCC, or add equivalent cost to new locomotives with DCC built-in.

Digitrax has an 8 amp system that works great for O and G scales. Nobody should feel that the NCE is the only one out there. I got my Digitrax 8 amp system for half of what the NCE cost, I don't miss the 2 amps at all.

I’ve used both Digitrax and NCE on our very large club HO layout and NCE on my small Home HOn3 layout. NCE is the easiest to operate and setup. It just works.

I operate on a very large HO layout that is owned by the former superintendent of the local NMRA division.  He has an extensive computerized CTC system.  He chose NCE over Digitrax.  I'm not an expert on the pros and cons of various systems, but the fact that he uses NCE is a major endorsement IMO.

I find NCE to be easier to use for programming locomotives.

Since you are starting from scratch, Blunami and dead rail (battery power) are also options.   

Count me as another vote for NCE. I’ve been an extremely happy NCE user for over a decade (originally in HO after a switch from 3-rail, and now for the last several years in 2-rail O scale). The PowerCab 2 amp system is a perfect starter system for small layouts with 3-4 DCC locomotives. And you can easily grow and add from there. Depending on how large of a HO layout you’re planning to have, and more importantly, how many locomotives with DCC…the 5 amp system is all most guys ever need. For reference, when I was in HO, I had about 50 locomotives with DCC on that 5 amp system. On my current layout (2-rail O), I use their 10 amp system.

From personal experience, NCE is much more user friendly than Digitrax. In fact, a friend of mine is 89 and is building a small HO layout next to his O scale layout. I helped him set up his 5 amp NCE system last week. He was running trains and looked like a 10 year old on Christmas morning having a ball. He couldn’t believe how easy NCE was to use. He had purchased a Digitrax system many years ago and was so frustrated with it he sold it and stayed away from DCC for 20 years.

I use CVP, they're a little less known since they only sell direct (and don't make decoders).

I started out in DCC about 20 years ago with an early Digitrax Zephyr. It worked well (I still use it on a separate break-in / programming circle of track) but as I expanded the layout I found that their radio control wasn't very good, often lost the signal even with multiple receivers.  I've talked to other people who have had similar issues with Digitrax.

With CVP, I can go anywhere in my basement and with just the one receiver it will pick up the radio remote anywhere - even on the other side of our big metal furnace, or upstairs above the layout.

I use both Digitrax and NCE radio throttles and systems at the HO and N scale layouts at my club. NCE for HO, Digitrax for N. Of the two, I prefer NCE. I like the design of the throttle better than the Digitrax ones. I like that with NCE I can easily set up advanced consists. Also, when I done using the Digitrax throttles I have to "dispatch" the engine(s) I was running in order not to exceed the number of engines in the recall list. NCE doesn't have these problems. Also, periodically we have to purge the Digitrax command base, again, not an issue with NCE.

Stuart

I generally recommend NCE for starters.  At my HO club we use NCE.  For Free-mo meets, it is generally Digitrax.  Most NCE users struggle using Digitrax but the reverse isn't true.  NCE does have its issues but most of those appear with multiple users (cab addresses being one of them).  When I had a home DCC layout, I used Roco Z21 Black and Wlanmuas controllers.

Brendan

@roll_the_dice posted:

Look at the Blunami decoder from SoundTraxx.  You can use DC power, but run it off your phone with DCC.  I don't know all the vagrancies about it...but there are many videos from Soundtraxx.  I run an NCE DCC system on my O scale 2 rail, but I am intrigued by Blunami.  If I were just starting in DCC I would go this route most likely.  I am sure I will try it at some point.  Here is more info...

PLUS 1 on Blunami.  Especially if you want to use your phone.  No DCC equipment to buy.  Power off DC track or better yet go deadrail.

I'm sure the OP has figured everything out, but for future newbies to DCC...one of the deciding factors for me when I was deciding on which system to use was the owner of NCE is not only a member of this board, but a contributing member.  He has helped me on many threads in the past and I like that not only does he own and run the company he is a hobbyist.

I started with a CVP system, then switched over to the NCE system for my three rail trains.

Dave

@BC1989 posted:

I'm familiar with running Lionel Legacy and Lionchief trains: three rails, AC power, Legacy command base, handheld controller, and power supply (brick or ZW-L).  Some of my favorite trains just refuse to show up in O gauge so I'm thinking of branching out into HO (and HOm).

Does anyone have recommendations for power supply and DCC systems?  I'm assuming beyond trains (with decoders in them) and track that I'll need: (1) a power supply; (2) a DCC base; and (3) a DCC handheld controller.  Any advice or recommendations?

For context, I'm thinking of starting off running 2-3 trains on short runs of track.  DC power, 2-rail, HO.  I'd like to be able to run DCC trains from Broadway Limited, Trix, and Bemo.  If I could run it over my phone too that would be great but I'll settle for an old-fashioned handheld remote control.

Thanks!

I think since you just starting my dad would say “keep it simple stupid”. Go with a starter package to get your feet wet. customization, can come latter.