Hi All! I am beginning my adventure into O gauge. I am a member of an ho scale club and there we use Digitrax. When I started looking into the DCC equivelant, my head went for a spin. I understand the basic consepts of them and how Legacy/TMCC butt heads with mth and that is a bit of a heartbreaker. Im use to companies playing nicely thanks to NMRA, I guess that didnt get through to the o scale guys. With that being said, are there a number of conventional guys out there? The butting of heads is something I do not want to deal with when it comes to control. Correct me if im wrong, but it looks like with conventional control, there are no walk around throttles like the pre-dcc days? So, does that mean that when controling conventional layouts, you are anchored to your transformer? Any advice for the guppy in the o scale pond? Thanks!!! P.S. Wheres the asprin
I happen to run purely conventional, partially because the DCC type systems are pricey, but also my layout is relatively small and that most of my equipment is pre TMCC. If you do plan to stick to conventional, you will be tied to the transformer. Also, if the layout you plan to create is going to be of large size, I would recommend getting something like TMCC/Legacy or the MTH system. If it is going to be small, it isn't all that necessary. However, who are you going to go with for rolling stock, as that somewhat decides what system you have to get.
Bill, its good to see another afol in the group . The reason for O gauge is my thought of "Legonel" lego and Lionel. The wife likes the idea and wants to participate also when our number is drawn to have kids, we want to create a creative enviroment and many family memories when mom and dad play and build with them. as you can tell, simplicity will be helpful. So, thinking about it since I created the post, I am drawn to Lionel and "Legonel" wouldnt be the same as "Legoth, Legomth..." It feels like since lionel and perhaps Atlas "I LOVE their ho equipment," TMCC/Legacy would be the way to go. Mind you this is forward thinking for growth as I do not have a set yet, just in the planning/scale stage with one 50' railking airslide hopper and 2 pieces of fastrack.
The main issue I have with TMCC/Legacy is the cost. I nessasarly do not want to pay 400 for a new loco, and when looking at the cost of conventional locos on ebay, new by bachmann, atlas, and others... Gatta love first world dilemas.
You betcha! (You should see some of the cabooses I have cobbled together.) Anyway, one thing I might suggest is to start with conventional and as things progress and become more out of hand:cute:, I would then suggest upgrading to TMCC/Legacy. Because it is somewhat easier getting started with conventional, as there are less headaches and it is simply easier to begin with (and it's cheaper).
