Hi Watash, It seems like you have found what works for you, and the way you like it. There will always be people like youreself that are satisifed with the old technology, and thats a good thing. It takes a real craftsman to take some of those older brass locos and make smooth runners out of them. Not all brass is poorly built though. I have bought two 4-8-0s from Sunset that run like German clocks and they were less than 700 bucks! Youre right in the idea that you dont have to get rid of those open frame motors. If it runs well on dc it will run even better od DCC. Any way I'm betting that you have at least thought about going DCC, otherwise you wouldn't be posting here ..... Am I right?.............Mike [This message has been edited by Mike C (edited 17 January 2001).]
Yas, as much as I hate to admit it, Mike, I have, when I only had about 35 engines. That was awhile back, and at that time it was too expensive to convert everything to DCC, I thought. Now I have over 55 steam engines, and two maybe three boxes packed full of diesels, so it would cost over a thousand dollars just to make good running engines run a little better, FOR ME. I guess, if the truth be known, I have decided I would rather be running my engines, than laboring over converting them so I could run them a little better. They run fine now. It is time better spent to convert from the X2f and K-D couplers, to the old Mantua loop and hook, so I can do some serious switching operations, now that I have collected several hundred Mantua's. Thanks guys, you have answered all my questions about the advantages of DCC for my use. If I was just starting out, I might indeed pay $145.00 for an engine, $0.50 for Mantua couplers, $75.00 for a decoder, $250.00 for the Dcc controller, and ah that's ah, $470.50 per engine, times 50 engines, is $23,525.00 I would have tied up in the engines I have today. Looks like I'll HAVE to sell my layout to afford DCC, and I only have spent $6,000.00 on the layout. Nothing to speak of on the new one. Gee whiz guys, I'm stuck. I never thought about these things when I was your age. Better get with the program pilgrims, or time and money is going to pass you by, like it did me. Sell the kids, put the wife to work, and win the lottery, hurry! ------------------ Watash #982 [This message has been edited by watash (edited 17 January 2001).]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by watash: If I was just starting out, I might indeed pay $145.00 for an engine, $0.50 for Mantua couplers, $75.00 for a decoder, $250.00 for the Dcc controller, and ah that's ah, $470.50 per engine, times 50 engines, is $23,525.00 I would have tied up in the engines I have today. Looks like I'll HAVE to sell my layout to afford DCC, and I only have spent $6,000.00 on the layout. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Watash - I believe you have a slight misconception about the costs of going DCC. I have been researching myself about going DCC as I build my first layout. I have been leaning towards using the Digitrax product line because I like the upgradeability they have built into their system. Regardless of the brand system you choose this is what I have found out. <LI>By purchasing an Empire Builder Set (from Digitrax) I would get a very solid, intermediate system that included a the command station, one throttle, and one decoder. Throw in a transformer and it would probably cost between $300 - $400. This system would provide all the basic control over most layouts. <LI> Decoders are the only thing you have to put into your engines. You can get the most simple ones for under $25. They will control your basics: Direction of travel, and 1 or 2 functions for lighting effects. <LI>Or you could go as high as $150+ for a Soundtraxx decoder. With Soundtraxx, they have combined a full function decoder for control of the engine and lights with a sound decoder. You could then mount a speaker into the tender to get whistle, bell, chuff, coupling, rail screeching sounds, etc. But you don't have to do this to all, of them or any of them if you didn't want to. <LI> Several other options with different types of decoders would allow you to control turnouts, and other animation effects. Relatively soon, full signalling capabilites will be available. But here is the summary. For about $400, your get the system to control all your locomotives. Then for about $25 per loco, you can make it DCC ready. While it is not necessarily cheap, I believe the operational flexibility (even if your the only operator) and the occasional engine with its own sound far outweighs the cost of going DCC. I have heard you and many others say, "do whatever it is for you to have fun with it, because it is your railroad." I believe that is true. If the task of converting part or all of your locos seems too daunting, just have fun with the old tried and true method. But if you like to tinker (like I think you do), converting may not be such a bad thing. Anyways just my two cents. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album [This message has been edited by BryGy (edited 18 January 2001).]
But still at $25 a decoder converting 300 units is gona be no cheap task (note did you know that decoders only cost $5 to make) ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!! LONG LIVE THE TIGER STRIPE!!! (I am one of those wierd Chessie,CR,BN Fans) I looked at DCC... and stayed DC!
How often do you use all 300 units? ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to. Bry's Photopoint.com Album
I only have 10 but I know plenty how have 150-300 some switch power every day. ------------------ Theres no such thing as having to many coal hoppers or GP40-2 when you model Chessie System LONG LIVE THE KITTEN!!! LONG LIVE BIG BLUE!!! LONG LIVE THE TIGER STRIPE!!! (I am one of those wierd Chessie,CR,BN Fans) I looked at DCC... and stayed DC!
Thanks BryGy, I'll give it some thought, but right now, Im trying to tear myself away from you guys long enough to get my new layout running. Then I have several operating cranes to get going, all the engines need to be inspected and test run after years in storage. (That will be fun!) Then maybe I'll take some time away from running, to seriously look into DCC. Right now, I want to see some 3 and 4 steam engines on the head end like I used to run them, with a couple more pushing. Yehah! ------------------ Watash #982 "See you in the Pit"
