05-06-2010, 10:32 AM
Caveat: DC and DCC in a block ( cab) control situation. NEVER let a DC engine enter a live DCC block. The DC can be routed to the DCC controller (Zephyr, Power cab, etc) through the loco's wheels, and very probably cause significant damage.
DCC: Primary advantages; Sound, light control, multiple locos, and opposing direction movements on the same track (the "Adams Family Effect", great if you want head-on collisions), and the ability to match, through CV settings, locomotive performance.
Primary disadvantages; dirt. Not only for the motor current, but also for the command and control signals. The track has to be kept cleaner to insure "communication" between the base station, and the decoder. And......cost.
On a 4' X8' layout ? The only real advantage I could see would be sound.
The modular group modified the power distribution board to be able to switch to DCC, primarily for the ability to use sound, and that has been a very recent thing.
DCC: Primary advantages; Sound, light control, multiple locos, and opposing direction movements on the same track (the "Adams Family Effect", great if you want head-on collisions), and the ability to match, through CV settings, locomotive performance.
Primary disadvantages; dirt. Not only for the motor current, but also for the command and control signals. The track has to be kept cleaner to insure "communication" between the base station, and the decoder. And......cost.
On a 4' X8' layout ? The only real advantage I could see would be sound.
The modular group modified the power distribution board to be able to switch to DCC, primarily for the ability to use sound, and that has been a very recent thing.
We always learn far more from our own mistakes, than we will ever learn from another's advice.
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!
The greatest place to live life, is on the sharp leading edge of a learning curve.
Lead me not into temptation.....I can find it myself!