ONLY looking right now. I can understand as that's were I'm at. If I go back to HO I will have to learn DCC. I now have three steamers that are DCC.
DCC isn’t difficult, it’s just different. Granted some installs can be a bit difficult but that’s a space thing not a complex system thing. On the layout side it can be as simple or as complex as you want, and far less complex than a DC layout with the same functionality. Yes there is an extra expense in the decoders but overall I like it.
I got to digging around and found I had actually built four different versions of the blunt end 10-6 sleeper. The first was an old Atlas Rivarossi smooth side observation lounge that I added corrugated strips on the sides and painted up for a photo shoot. Keith Thompson from Model Railroader was planing to visit in 1994 to take photos of my NTRAK modules for the 1995 edition of the annual Great Model Railroads. I needed something to represent one of the passenger trains that actually ran through my prototype scenes. It was not very prototypical so we did a motion shot of it heading off the the right. The photo of the car from the magazine. Next, I kit bashed a ROWA sleeper with the blunt end from the ROWA observation car. Then I grafted a ROWA blunt end onto a Con Cor 10-6, getting a little closer to prototype. And finally the car I built up with the etched sides from M&R. The last three all have working Mars lights and lighted drum heads.
Difficulty lies in the beholder and their comfort level with the added complexity. Most (not all) DCC systems are also more expensive than DC systems. There's also more choices to make: which DCC system, which locomotives are DCC compatible (with how much effort,) which DCC decoders to use/will work in which locomotives, sound vs non-sound decoders, etc. I'm a huge DCC fan, but I can appreciate DC as well. There's actually a lot more commonality between a blocked DC layout operation and 1:1 railroads than DCC.
One reason that I can actually think about adding DCC later is that with my Unitrack layout, I am actually planning on running single control over the entire layout. Adding DCC would therefore be quite easy as far as the wiring would already be in place. I would probably never run more than two engines at any time, but it would still be very neat to run them off an old cell phone as I have seen others doing.
Don’t get me wrong I appreciate DC as well and I even have a few DC trains that I run at shows. My Mini Christmas layout is DC and the new 2x4 I’m working on will be DCC optional but primarily DC with home made built in throttles. I’m also working on a new command station unit for my N-Trak club that will allow for all 4 N-Trak lines to choose between DC and DCC. Tho, I will be cheating here as the DC will be provided by a DCC decoder.
I took apart the last pieces of my benchwork that was going to be a layout made from N-Trak modules. They will become N-Trak modules at a later date. Then I decided now is the time to work out some of the foam and base of the new 2X4 layout (I think I may start a build thread on it) and I got some cut and some glued and some weights put on. With of course a bit of spray foam to start the process of making the incline. So, yea, that’s about it, my workbench is a floor tonight!
At least one good thing I discovered tonight is that I should be better off using 1/2" foamboard instead of 1" for the lift out area on my G&D layout. Save a little money!
I'm very seriously considering it The car is available, the decals are available, the funds are questionable, and the time still has to be located.
I wouldn’t mind having this, but the one I really want is the Saskatchewan grain car with the girl on it. I know where the car is, and the decals, I now have the time, but money isn’t great right now.
I have to admit that I am a tightwad so when I get something donated to my hobby projects I am quite happy. Here is an image of some 'new' CB antenna's, for my 18wheelers, donated by my daughter's cat : Sorry, just could not resist. Be well, meow !
I will be starting to assemble a box of six old style flat cars from Tichy Train Group. I just have to wait for the tools I've ordered. And then when bills are paid of start ordering tracks. Just have to decide from who.
