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Adrian - 13 Apr 2009 19:45 GMT

After several decades away, I'm getting to the point where I will have
the time and space to return to modelling. As I will be starting from
scratch (in terms of the layout), DCC looks like it is worth
investigating. To that end, are there any good books I can get to read
up on the subject, both for controlling locos (and fitting the existing
ones with chips), and for the points.

Thanks in advance

Adrian

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chris.brett58@o2.co.uk - 13 Apr 2009 22:24 GMT

DCC Made Easy: Digital Command Control for Your Model Railroad by
Lionel Strang

Aspects of Modelling: Digital Control Command by Ian Morton

I think PECO also do a couple of booklets on the subject.

Hornby have a range of fitting instructions available on their
website.

Chris

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Adrian - 15 Apr 2009 21:49 GMT

In message
<6a4c8e34-f8e6-4cf0-8380-fd7aa5eb6e11@f17g2000vbf.googlegroups.com>,
chris.brett58@o2.co.uk writes

>DCC Made Easy: Digital Command Control for Your Model Railroad by
>Lionel Strang
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>Hornby have a range of fitting instructions available on their
>website.

Thanks

Adrian

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chris.brett58@o2.co.uk - 17 Apr 2009 00:24 GMT

> In message
> <6a4c8e34-f8e6-4cf0-8380-fd7aa5eb6...@f17g2000vbf.googlegroups.com>,
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Sorry for the rigmarole, If I want spam, I'll go to the shops
> Every time someone says "I don't believe in trolls", another one dies.

I suggest you also check out some of the other forums too eg
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Chris

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Adrian - 17 Apr 2009 22:20 GMT

>I suggest you also check out some of the other forums too eg
>http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Thanks, I'll have a look when I've got half an hour.

Adrian

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Nigel Cliffe - 21 Apr 2009 19:48 GMT

>> In message
>> <6a4c8e34-f8e6-4cf0-8380-fd7aa5eb6...@f17g2000vbf.googlegroups.com>,
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> I suggest you also check out some of the other forums too eg
> http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/

Of the Forums, I think RMWeb has the biggest number of DCC contributors who
seem to know their stuff.

With any Forum, before asking a question, try using the search box. Chances
are that many questions have been answered before.

- Nigel

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Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

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Man at B&Q - 22 Apr 2009 09:56 GMT

> chris.bret...@o2.co.uk wrote:
> >> In message
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> Of the Forums, I think RMWeb has the biggest number of DCC contributors who
> seem to know their stuff.

I prefer Model Rail Forum for the level of knowledge/understanding.
I've seen some really stupid things said in the RMWeb DCC forum,
probably more about the electronics side rather than DCC itself.

MBQ

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Man at B&Q - 18 Apr 2009 20:56 GMT

> After several decades away, I'm getting to the point where I will have
> the time and space to return to modelling. As I will be starting from
> scratch (in terms of the layout), DCC looks like it is worth
> investigating. To that end, are there any good books I can get to read
> up on the subject, both for controlling locos (and fitting the existing
> ones with chips), and for the points.

I would stick with the internet. I've yet to find a book that is both
up to date and comprehensive in it's coverage of what is out there.

If you are at all electronically minded then consider MERG. Their DCC
pages http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/dcc.htm are open to non-members
with designs for various DCC modules. Membership gets you access to
the Yahho group and Forum and the Newsletter. Lso look at CBUS
http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/lcb.html , (also applicable to DC)
for accessory control and layout feedback.

What scale/gauge/period will you model?

MBQ

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Adrian - 20 Apr 2009 22:21 GMT

In message
<b9e7edb8-0243-4d57-ace0-cf2951f20b84@l1g2000yqk.googlegroups.com>, Man
at B&Q <manatbandq@hotmail.com> writes

>If you are at all electronically minded then consider MERG. Their DCC
>pages http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/dcc.htm are open to non-members
>with designs for various DCC modules. Membership gets you access to
>the Yahho group and Forum and the Newsletter. Lso look at CBUS
>http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/lcb.html , (also applicable to DC)
>for accessory control and layout feedback.

I'll look them up as well thanks.

>What scale/gauge/period will you model?

I acquired a varied collection of 00, ranging from GWR livery through to
BR Green diesel, so I'll be fitting in there somewhere.

Adrian

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Man at B&Q - 21 Apr 2009 09:44 GMT

> >What scale/gauge/period will you model?
>
> I acquired a varied collection of 00, ranging from GWR livery through to
> BR Green diesel, so I'll be fitting in there somewhere.

So, plenty of room for decoders, compared to N at least, maybe even
sound.

Virtually anything can be chipped, if you are prepared to put in
enough effort. Features such as "dither" and back EMF control in
decoders can mitigate some short comings, but you should really make
sure everything runs reliably/smoothly on DC. A rolling road can be a
useful investment and can be used in place of a programming/test track
once you start fitting decoders.

It sounds like you'll be hardwiring a lot of decoders. Whilst you've
got the body off (and maybe half the chassis dismantled in some cases,
LOL!) it's well worth adding extra pickups wherever possible,
especially on short wheelbase locos.

If your DCC hardware supports a computer connection, consider
something like DecoderPro (free software) tp make decoder programming/
tweaking easy.

MBQ

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Adrian - 21 Apr 2009 22:48 GMT

Man at B&Q <manatbandq@hotmail.com> writes

>> >What scale/gauge/period will you model?
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>useful investment and can be used in place of a programming/test track
>once you start fitting decoders.

Since everything has been in store for at least 8 years, my intention is
to start off with a simple test track wired up with DC to make sure that
everything works (could help with trouble shooting !), and then look at
converting to DCC.

>It sounds like you'll be hardwiring a lot of decoders. Whilst you've
>got the body off (and maybe half the chassis dismantled in some cases,
>LOL!) it's well worth adding extra pickups wherever possible,
>especially on short wheelbase locos.

I'll bear that in mind, there is at least one GWR pannier tank in the
collection.

>If your DCC hardware supports a computer connection, consider
>something like DecoderPro (free software) tp make decoder programming/
>tweaking easy.

As yet I don't have any DCC hardware (the reason for this thread is to
do some background research before I start spending).

Adrian

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Nigel Cliffe - 21 Apr 2009 19:38 GMT

>> After several decades away, I'm getting to the point where I will
>> have the time and space to return to modelling. As I will be
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/lcb.html , (also applicable to DC)
> for accessory control and layout feedback.

I would recommend some caution on the MERG designs. Some are great and
still current. Others strike me as antiquated, quite possibly excellent a
dozen years ago, but overtaken by event elsewhere. For example I would
advise against building the DCC control system, but recommend the DCC
accessory decoders.

- Nigel

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Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

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Adrian - 21 Apr 2009 22:50 GMT

Nigel Cliffe <invalid@2mm.org.uk> writes

>I would recommend some caution on the MERG designs. Some are great and
>still current. Others strike me as antiquated, quite possibly excellent a
>dozen years ago, but overtaken by event elsewhere. For example I would
>advise against building the DCC control system, but recommend the DCC
>accessory decoders.

Thanks, I'll bear it in mind.

Adrian

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / April 2009

Recommendation please