Model Forum / General / Railroads / October 2004

Peter, you have posted to a predominantly US based group, about a
British subject.  You will probably fare better by posting the same
question to the predominantly British newsgroup uk.rec.models.rail.

No 'cock-ups' that I could detect.

Now on to Zero One. I used it in the '70's. I kept burning out the master
controller. It might have had something to do with our cycles, but I assumed
that if it was sold on the American market it was rated for our current.

I don't know if Zero one is still being produced.

There are products out there that are much better than Zero One. Check out
DCC. Similar in concept, but very different in execution.

Try Tony's Train Exchange for starters. www.dcctrains.com

Or search the web for DCC

[...]

Zero 1 is no longer produced. It has been superseded by Digital Comand
Control. You may find the odd module as a used item here and there, but
it's not worth the hassle. Junk it. If you want the convenience of Zero
One, go for DCC -- it's actually more robust, easier to use, versatile
than Zero One. Don't use plain DC controllers, but use DCC from the
start. In the long run it will be cheaper, since you won't have to
replace DC stuff.

Reusing decades old material is always a problem. You apparently intend
to build a fairly large layout, which implies purchase of new rolling
stock, track, etc. You will encounter compatibility problems, even with
new Hornby items, as Hornby has (finally) decided to join the 20th
century and is busy upgrading to modern, finer scale, more or less
industry-wide standards. Their recent offereings are miles beyond the
old stuff IMO.

I suggest you consider the following:
a) display the old material in a nice multi-shelf, glass-ronted
wall-hung display case -- it does have sentimental value, after all, and
it's worth preserving in original conditon.

or:

b) examine each piece of rolling stock, locos and wagons etc, for
suitability for conversion to modern wheel sets and couplers. You will
find that ease of conversion varies a lot.

I would _not_ reuse old Hornby track: use Peco instead, preferably flex
rather that set-track. I urge you to buy a current book on model railway
planning and construction that will guide you to make choices that you
can live with in the long term. Model trains have changed a lot in the
last 20 odd years. A few recent issues of the model railway magazines
will give you an idea of the enormous range and high quality. Prices are
higher, true, but price/quality ratios IMO are better than ever. Since
you intend to add a loft to a garage, I don't think current prices will
scare you away. :-)

Good luck, and have fun!

Zero One is old technology.  In the long run, it's probably better to go
with DCC if your old equipment can accept the decoders.  However, there's
at least one outfit that still makes some Z1 compatible products:
http://ztccontrols.com/.
-- Bill McC.

The motor output from the decoder modules is particularly harsh on modern
motors, being  variable length half wave pulses. This was aceptable with the old
open frame X04 motors and the large ringfield motors but will cause smaller
motors to disintegrate over time.

Sell the Zero One gear while it still has some value!

Your decision has to be between conventional analogue DC or DCC.

IMHO DCC is ideal for small layouts where you want multiple trains running, or
larger layouts where station areas become too complex for conventional control.
Sounds to me like you're in the middle sized analogue category.

Regards,
Greg.P.

Most of the posters here recommend junking the Zero 1 system in favour of
the modern (and satandardised across manufacturers) DCC system. I agree with
this as far as a system for controlling your loco's goes - and you can do
things with DCC undreamed of with Zero 1 - sound, prototypical lighting etc.

But there was one use I had intended for my old layout for a Zero 1 system,
however a change in scale and layout design made it academic. The old layout
had a centalised dispatchers panel, plus local panels. I wanted the local
panels to have control of the turnouts for local switching, but access to
the main line turnouts only under thge Dispatcher's permission. Can't have
the local switcher decide to use the main as a switching lead just as the
hotshot freight or limited is due!

My idea was to mount a Zero 1 keypad on the Dispatchers panel, and have Zero
1 accessory modules at the local yard switch power to the local panel
switches when the Dispatcher entered the code for that turnout. Never went
beyond the conceptual stage (and discussion with a Zero 1 owning friend who
uses his for turnout control only), but we could see no reason why it
couldn't work

So the moral is (in best model railroader tradition): never throw anything
out - you can never tell when a use will turn up for it!

But for the loco's, definitely go DCC.

Regards

Steve
Newcastle NSW Aust

Apparently, Hornby Zero-One trains can be controlled with a ZTC controller

ztccontrols.com/

Peter

I would have to agree with the one gentleman that Zero 1 is not only
outdated but was very touchy in regards to pick-up,your track and wheels
need to be spotless.
Another gentleman also recommended using it as a switch control
system,which is what I use mine for.
Zero 1 had a problem when you used the accessory module for switching it
made the engine hesitate becase of the power draw.
I presently use a dcc system but do not and have not tried it with a
switch control system,so I cannot state if this happens with dcc.
Dcc is a lot more forgiving when it comes to power and control signal
pick up.
I have alot of animation in my layout and use all my old control systems
to control these.
So nothing goes to waste.

UNCLE
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