DCC Questions

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Matt & Kathleen Brennan - 01 Sep 2003 23:18 GMT

Hey Folks,

Quick questions about DCC: pre DCC purchase planning.

If you are running an engine and desire to hand it off to another
operator as it enters their area, how do you drop it from one hand set
and add it to the other? Is that possible on the fly as such?

Does DCC and a wye also create tricky wiring solutions [i.e. reverse
loop issues]?

Thanks!
Matt

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Joe Ellis - 01 Sep 2003 23:55 GMT

>Hey Folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>operator as it enters their area, how do you drop it from one hand set
>and add it to the other? Is that possible on the fly as such?

Well, yes, it's possible... but part of the joy of DCC is that it's not at
all necessary - the operator stays with his train WHEREVER it is on the
layout. Operators don't have _areas_, they have _trains_, and follow them
wherever they go. Multiple trains can occupy the same "area" or "block"
and maintain totally independant control. Ask around and see if there's a
layout in your area that uses DCC that you can check out and play with -
It's much easier to understand when you've used it a bit.

>Does DCC and a wye also create tricky wiring solutions [i.e. reverse
>loop issues]?

No trickier than analog operation... and automatic units are available to
make it totally user-invisible, no power switching required by the
engineer.

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Ken Cameron - 02 Sep 2003 02:20 GMT

Do it like the prototype and stop and 'change' crews. Getting 'fuel' etc at
the same time also part of the realism.

> Hey Folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks!
> Matt

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TallDude - 28 Feb 2006 01:34 GMT

I agree with Ken, thats a good way to do it

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Kennedy (no longer not on The Haggis!) - 03 Sep 2003 00:40 GMT

> Quick questions about DCC: pre DCC purchase planning.
>
> If you are running an engine and desire to hand it off to another
> operator as it enters their area, how do you drop it from one hand set
> and add it to the other? Is that possible on the fly as such?

Do it like the prototype. Train stops at a crew-change point, release the
loco from your throttle, the next guy picks up the loco on his throttle,
and the train is off on it's way!

Kennedy

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Jeff Fryman - 03 Sep 2003 02:42 GMT

Another answer could be more of a conceptual change:

With DCC you are no longer tied to "blocks". The engine (or consist) is
assigned to a throttle. If one person is not following a train around the
entrire layout (which is now quite feasible), they can hand the throttle off
to the next operator. They would then be free to pick up the throttle of
the next train entering their "territory".

> > Quick questions about DCC: pre DCC purchase planning.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Kennedy

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Matt & Kathleen Brennan - 07 Sep 2003 12:21 GMT

Thank you - everyone - for the clarifications on DCC. This understanding
certainly simplifies my track planning. Hopefully, if budget permits, we will
enter the world of DCC sometime this coming spring.

Most Appreciated!
Matt

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / February 2006

DCC Questions