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I read a question on another board about the possible demise of DC and desided to ask Do you run DC or DCC then I thought maybe I should add Arm chair.
I voted DCC, since that is what I primarily run - the lcoal modular club is stictly DCC (Digitrax). However, I have not "decodered" my whole fleet, so I maintain the provision for DC operations at home. I would have selected both if that was an option. Wink

Andrew
I don't see how there could be a demise of DC, only a demise of people using it. It is simple enough, and the components will always be available. If it ever becomes that all locos are sold with decoders, all one would need to do is remove the decoder, as the loco still has all the parts needed for DC. Now, there could be a demise of DCC, if someone comes out with a new standard that is no longer compatible with DCC, and DCC decoders are no longer manufactured. That probably will happen someday, as what happens to most digital technologies after a few years. I suppose if the hobby evolved into a system where locomotives carried their own power supply and were radio controlled, then new locomotives may no longer convert easily to DC, especially if they no longer had 12v electric motors, had plastic wheels, or solid (non-insulated) axles. I suspect there will always be a few running standard DC, just as there are still a few of us driving around with stick-shift or manual steering cars, or use landline phones Smile
Cheers Cheers

As many of us here got started with a RTR train set, I don't see how this can change much in the future. The primary concern is cost (price). To furnish a DCC set would price many out of possible entry into the hobby. And a lot of those getting a train set for the kid, did not ever contemplate that it would "grow" on us. After we were "hooked", we were the ones driving our folks to buy "stuff" for a layout.
The second factor is complexity. After the initial set up, which is just as simple as DC, once you acquire a second loco, you get into the programming aspect. This would put a lot of people looking from the sidelines.
All non-three rail or strictly AC locomotives are really just engines with DC can motors, but responsive to a digital chip. I don't see DC disappearing any time soon.

But I operate DCC.

Crandell
I voted DCC, as I have made the plunge, and after I recover financially from the purchase of a Digitrax Zephyr, two diesels and one decoder, I'll be getting some lumber and begin building benchwork. Thumbsup Big Grin


I still have to identify and purchase a speaker, though. 35
I'm still a firm DC holdout. I enjoy the wiring process of setting up blocks. The operational aspect of it is that It allows the person running the train the feeling of be a dispatcher also. Be sides the time and cost of adding decoders to all my locos along with the possibility of damaging them in the process of installation frightens me. So this has brought me to the conclusion that the Anna lines will remain a DC institution.[attachment=6041]
Gus had some good thoughts. DC will be with us for along time because of the entry level sets - although I bet some manufacturer will have DCC entry level sets at some point.

For me, I run DCC and love it.
e-paw Wrote:... I enjoy the wiring process of setting up blocks. The operational aspect of it is that It allows the person running the train the feeling of be a dispatcher also....[/attachment]
That is very interesting to read. You enjoy exactly the things lots (most?) of us don't like. It would be very unwise if you change to DCC loosing things you enjoy. This is a perfect example why good/bad classification fails so often because there is no simple common set of values. Thank you for the reminder.
As cost of manufacturing comes down DCC products and prices become more competitive, I can see DCC becoming relatively "inexpensive*" over the next few years.

At least that is what I hope. For me its DCC.

I say give it a few more years though and you'll see something like DCCplus or Blu Ray DCC. And then those of use with DCC with be bemoaning the introduction of this new, bigger and better technology to the hobby. Misngth

*I say inexpensive, because the word "cheap" can imply that its not well made. You can be inexpensive but still well made, or you can be expensive but cheaply made. Misngth
tetters Wrote:I say give it a few more years though and you'll see something like DCCplus or Blu Ray DCC. And then those of use with DCC with be bemoaning the introduction of this new, bigger and better technology to the hobby. Misngth

Lets hope when that occurs that the same basic standards are supported so that us DCC "old farts" (relatively) can still run our "legacy" decoders...

I took the plunge into DCC in the late '90's (1998, I think) shortly after I became active in the hobby again. I was wringing my hands somewhat over what is a relatively expensive piece of kit until the moment I ran two identical locomotives on the same stretch of track - at different speeds! It was an epiphany on the magnitude of touching the inside of a Microwave oven and finding that it, in fact, was NOT hot! (Remember those LItton commercials in the '70's?)

Most of my locomotives were purchased DCC ready, and I've converted one brass locomotive. My dad has a larger fleet of non-DCC locomotives, and those conversions are in fact expensive in time and treasure. Would I have switched if I already had a larger fleet of locos? Can't say for sure, but - probably.
Lester Perry Wrote:I read a question on another board about the possible demise of DC and desided to ask Do you run DC or DCC then I thought maybe I should add Arm chair.


As long as I'm still around, there'll be no demise of DC. Goldth

It does everything I need it to do, and the wiring is simple. If I were operating regularly with multiple operators, I might consider DCC, but I usually prefer the solitude.

Wayne
I am afraid in some time (years) DCC decoders will be installed in all locomotives by default. That will be true for the entry level market too.
Bachmann is showing the way. Some time ago Bachmann started to have decoders in entry market engines as separate units attached via the 8-pin plug. At that time Bachmann had the extra cost of the very entry level decoder, the plug in the board and the extra labor attaching the decoder. I am sure the decoder was the least problem. The next step followed soon. The DCC decoder became a chip on the PCB in an engine that had a PCB anyhow. At that point the only extra cost is the bare chip. That cost can easily covered even for an entry level locomotive if you get the right quantity. I am very sure the DCC extra cost is less than $3.
But how much extra revenue can you make with a new customer starting with DCC vs. a new DC customer? I think the $3 are well spend.
When all entry locomotives are sold with a DCC chip there isn't any more an excuse for the upper class to delivery a locomotive without that "standard" functionality (it's not a feature anymore). I am watching Athearn to do that very step. Athearn RTR is very close to the Bachmann entry market. They are the next brand to have DCC "by nature". The "upper class" (e.g. Atlas) will be happy with that development. They can drop the "silver line" and promote the much more expensive "gold line". At that time there are no newcomers asking for a more expensive locomotive without the DCC functionality they are used to from their first day.
That is my prediction of the DCC future.
I do think that rtr locomotives without decoders will follow the dinosaurs in the next 10 years or so. The cost for a basic DCC chips is very low (as I recall, B-man's newer On30 locomotives all come DCC equiped). I expect train sets to follow in due time. For my son with his E-Z track, it isn't very easy to put Gordon on a siding while Thomas is running and then have the locomotives trade places. With DCC, it would be easy. I'd expect that it actually increase the number of additional locomotives sold to trainset owners.

Will DC disappear? T think it will over time. Those that don't want to switch over will likely be able to continue to run the new DCC locomotives in conventional mode. One of my local MR buddies is making the switch right now...to add Tsunamis...on his well-developed 1900 railroad.

I haven't yet made my big capital outlay to drop chips into everything. 1/2 of my On3 roster is still conventional, but I run my layout in DCC mode almost exclusively due to the benefits it provides. Only one or two of my HO locomotives have decoders installed. I'm waiting for $5 or so aftermarket decoders to begin installing them in most of my HO locomotives. My best stuff will get Tsunamis or whatever is best when I'm ready to put them to use (right now, my HO stuff is without a railroad...so there isn't much point in burning the money).

(hurray! I haven't been able to log in for a few weeks...I cleaned my cookies out and it let me log in!)
I don't think DC will fade into the sunset nor do I believe DCC is as popular as MR wants you to believe.

Here's the thing..

At one time if you wanted sound then DCC was a must..Now the majority of the sound systems will operate on DC and of course MRC released the Tech 6 DC power pack which enables the modeler to use DCC functions to include setting CVs without the need for DCC throttles and power supplies..

I went DCC for sound and enjoyed it for awhile until the noise called sound got on my nerves-usually after 30 minutes of use.Of course the newer Tsunami sound systems does sound a tad better then my early Soundtraxx but,still not enough for me to go googles over sound from what I hearing at the club-again after 30 mintues I am ready to run from the club screaming with my hands over my ears. :o

I suppose when DCC has ran its course and sales lag a new system will emerge that will end DC,DCC and the need to clean track... 357
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