This is really helpful. I’m only just beginning to explore the hobby, so this and your other videos are a great resource. I have done technical communication for decades. You mentioned being new to DCC yourself. That’s actually a great perspective for teaching like this, because you know what’s confusing and where the pitfalls are. (The worst people to try to teach basics are usually the engineers who designed things.) And yes, women are definitely in your audience.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

i've found a lot of the articles written and a lot of the videos made already assume the user knows something about the technical jargon and components they reference. so when you get into the video, you're already lost. that makes it intimidating to start - i was intimidated - but DCC even in basic form is so amazing for what it allows the user to do - it's the way to go for a new layout!

Hi C Mastracci , I do agree with you on using the Digitrak Zephyr express DCS52. I did a lot of research on DCC systems and decided to go with Digitrak system because it was easier to use and understand. As you know I’ll be looking for a booster in the near future. Also a hand held throttle. I will probably not buy a locomotive that doesn’t have sound again. I just love those sound locomotives it makes the layout come to life. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Thanks for sharing. Have a good week. 😎😎 👍

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

You know, i bough a beautiful Fox Valley Conrail loco about 2 years ago at a train show without sound because they didn't have the sound version. great looking loco but every time i run it, i know it needs sound and it annoys me so I will not buy a non-project loco without sound either. That CSX i'm going to renumber i think is going to be my first sound project. i had to muddle through a lot of this DCC stuff with minimal help - and it sucked. but in the last few years KZread has been filled with content about it - so future startups should be better. Enjoy the rest of your weekend as well!

Gotta agree with the other comments - DCC can be intimidating to the newbie (and, sometimes, the not-so-newbie), but it's certainly learnable if you're willing to give it a go. Your video should encourage those who might be hesitant to go ahead and dive in... 👍

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

once you get in, realize it's not that bad, it opens so many new doors. Really unlocks the full capabilities of our models.

Really good explanation on the DCS52. Wish there was something like this when I bought it two months ago and had to basically figure it out on my own 🙂 Understanding CVs is one of those things that once you get it, you get it. What I still don't quite understand is those complex CVs that the value they get is based on the binary values required for that option. Like combining values from 0 to 7 or something like that. It's not just a straight up number. I use DecoderPro for non-ESU and LokProgammer software and the hardware for it for ESU decoders. I have switched to ESU for all of my decoders from Digitrax. Hey, I'm sure others will like Digitrax DCC decoders but I faced nothing but problems and limitations, plus lousy sounds with Digitrax. I got rid of those and converted my locomotives that were using them to ESU. I will not buy a locomotive now unless it has an ESU LokSound decoder in it.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

I wouldn't use Digitrax for sound decoders - ESU is the market king on those for sure and their sound library is really awesome. But, to just get an entire fleet quickly set up for DCC, Digitrax is the best option - they make a wide variety of drop-ins all priced under $40 so depending on your hobby budget it's conceivable to get a handful of locos done at a time without the need to mess with wires or soldering. unless you're a glutton for punishment and really like math, i would avoid trying to figure out the hexadecimal values for CVs and find an online calculator where you can tell the decoder what you want to do and it tells you what value to plug in. Digitrax does a nice job putting tables together for all the basic CVs but there are other sources for some of the more advanced mods.

Great video, even though I am still in the planning phase I think DCC is a must for anyone who wants to run a prototypical rail road system and for me sound would be a must as it adds a realism to the running of your railroad and yes I know it costs more in some cases but I have to think of the fun gained, which is after all the whole point.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

that's one of the complaints i hear a lot - and it's valid - is pricing. there are ways to save money but i don't recommend budget cuts in the operation system or the locomotives. if either performs poorly the layout will be a disaster. trains stalling or unrealistic movements on the most beautiful of sceniced layouts makes it look toyish. that's probably the best way to put it, you're spending more but you're gaining so much more as well. before sound, the big push for me was to be able to walk with my trains. if i was fixed at a single location, there would be entire sections of the layout i wouldn't operate without running back to the DC cab to change directions. and yes, i guess i could always add more cab locations but then you've gotta isolate them and throw switches which means more wires... and in the end, do DC layouts really even save money for less functionality? I would contend no, they spend just as much with a far less satisfactory result.

@Simonal777

Ай бұрын

I think you were just operating a basic oval or a very small layout maybe DC but for me I have more plans than just that and so DCC is a must. Although based in Europe I love the idea of a USA freight layout which makes DCC must have… Engine( Locomotive) consists switching with other trains operating and makes sense to me. But love the channel and thanks for sharing your passion for the hobby.

My biggest piece of advice is to carefully consider the locomotives you buy. I prefer ESU. They're not that much more expensive than locomotives with other decoders but if you're going to go sound then I recommend you stick with ESU and get the LokProgammer hardware. You will get much more out of that then by mixing locomotives with different decoders and trying to consist them. Atlas makes great ESU Loksound locomotives. So does Intermountain. The kings are ScaleTrains and Rapido Trains. Bachmann's Econami SoundTraxx and TCS WOW Sound decoders are good and so are BLI with Paragon 4 but they're not LokSound. I have a BNSF GEVO from ScaleTrains that's been a real pain in the rear trying to consist it with a BLI SD70 ACE. The BLI SD70 ACE is really nice but, again, trying to consist with ESU was not easy. I might sell that BLI SD70 ACE after ScaleTrains releases their SD70 ACE later this year. Be interesting to see what you put out for speed matching. I find it easier to speed match when using CVs 2, 5, and 6 instead of 28 speed step but that's just me. Will wait to see what you suggest in your video.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

I can't speak for Rapido because they haven't produced anything i've been interested in yet, but I have a dozen ScaleTrains locos and I love them. I've added a few Atlas Gold Line locos and they're also well done. I wish Kato would focus more on the sound side - they're getting there, but seem to be behind. They're mechanisms are arguably the best. I'm very weary of BLI and will avoid them if at all possible. I've had mixed success with their models and if another manufacturer produces the model i want, i select it over BLI. Speed matching is an absolute pain, especially sound to non-sound locos. I'm already dreading putting the video together and i haven't even started yet!

Great vid for those that have no or not much experience with DCC and sound. I have been migrating over to sound equipped equipment the last few years and I think like you that it adds a great dimension to the hobby.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

It's come a long way. better tech really makes it worth while in n scale.

I enjoyed the video!

Good info 👍🏻

Great explanation. Even if you e been using DCC, it’s always good to get a refresher. Well done.

Well described! Thanks!

@briancasey4491

Ай бұрын

Awesome ! Loved the video and it has helped toward the push of me getting DCC... A few questions.... 1 How big of a layout, before you know you need a booster ? 2 And I seen your command station, and booster together, why wouldn't you move it toward the extra part of the layout just like me adding a small transformer toward the end of my DC track to keep it working good ? 3 Will it run DC engines on it like my DC runs my DCC engines ? Because I have a ton of DC engines alot of them I don't think you can switch over... a few Atlas and Kato I'm sure you can but I have alot of der ones I don't want to get rid of.

@briancasey4491

Ай бұрын

I appreciate these videos you do and actually look forward to seeing them. So Thnk You ! Big time ! And really look forward to sum more of these on the DCC set up. I appreciate you !

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

ok, lots of stuff here. first, it's not only the size of the layout it's how many trains you're going to run at one time. it's based on the amp-draw. before the booster i was running about 9 locos on 3amps - not all of them had sound. now that i have sound, i wanted to split the layout roughly in half to make sure the signal stayed strong. i use a 14 ga bus wire so as to not constrict the signal. feeders from the bus are smaller and i'll cover this in the wiring vid. my bus does not extent more than 50', well within the limits of the boosters. I could move boosters further away if i needed to like a club layout. the boosters would then be connected by a LocoNet cable so the command station and the booster can communicate. DCC will NOT run a DC loco. Because the voltage is full and not variable and not constant, DC motor will be damaged on a DCC system. some folks have toggles to flip between DC and DCC on their layouts. I advise against this because a forgetful day might happen and you might fry either a DC loco or a $300 DCC loco. All locos can be converted - but some require milling of the frame and special installs. I started DCC when i had about 80 DC locos. it took several months to convert them to straight DCC - none of those ones have been converted to sound yet. I suggest so selected two or three locos you really like, convert them first, and then work your way through the others.

I see more and more locos are equipped with ESU decoders. I was told you need there programmer to fully use the decoder. I put a locpilot mini in a Bachman S -4 switcher ( don't like their decoders) change was night and day. I have the second gen of the Zephyr on my program track ,it gets the job done. The new one looks very easy to use. Thanks for the links you added. I know you like sound can you change sound files with out the ESU programmer? Nice subject to talk about.

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

yeah that bachmann decoders aren't fantastic - nice entry level but nothing to ESU. I haven't added or modified any sounds yet but it's on the list of upcoming expenses to add the Lok Programmer to the bench. i looked at it a months back and opted to start signaling the layout instead.

I wish I can hear an N scale DCC/Sound loco in person, but everyone I know does O and HO scale. Do you know how it sounds compared to an HO loco? I'm assuming HO is louder but is N scale sound like "it's almost there but not quite as loud" or is it a " night and day difference" , in volume levels ?

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

The volume can be adjusted louder or softer based on your preference. the difference is in the quality of speaker. the more space you have to install a speaker, the more tech you can cram in there so larger scales can produce throatier sounds. But the tech has come a long way and so even in N-scale, you get decent loco sounds that while just a little tinny - sound pretty decent.

I have the first generation Zephyr DCS50, I really like the DCS52, if I bought this unit could I use my DCS50 as a booster, I have a two level Nscale layout, I plan to run about 4 locomotives at a time, I also have 6 sound locomotives as well. But I'm not going to run all of them at a single op session! 😊

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

a 3 amp output will more than handle your locos - although it's getting near the point where i would think you'll start having issues - especially if you did have all the sounds on. twice i've had a runaway and once i lost sound control - the runaways are scary because the locos just went hell-bent for the horizon. losing sound control is just annoying because a horn or a bell or some other random sound gets stuck. so - you'll know if your power needs a booster! if you did convert one of the command stations into a booster - make sure you read the manual on doing that correctly - you don't want two command stations throwing out commands.

@petemotley535

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info, I do however need to have power districts on my layout.

Hey I've got a question for you. I only have an fdm 3d printer (really for larger/engineering parts, not high detail models/miniatures like an sla printer), and have been trying to find someone who has a lot of experience 3d printing stuff, especially for N scale. I'm putting a mine on my layout and I'm having trouble finding mine-sized equipment (haven't found any that is appropriate size at all). I know you get a lot of your models 3d printed. Do you just find them randomly on ebay or do you have someone you specifically go to for commissions?

@AlleghenyNorthern

Ай бұрын

a couple of the pieces i picked up from folks selling their wares at train shows - most notably the N scale convention in Altoona, PA. the rest were purchased from Shapeways through their online store.