Model Railway Forum

I love having switches. For me it is part of operating the layout.

Yes I can see your point WTD. I was trying to explain the difference between the two to a beginner. Perhaps I did not explain it very well.
Yes having all the switches is a bit like working a signal box. And fun. Just trying to explain that DC can be lot more wiring.

I agree, lots more wiring.

Starting from scratch I would go DCC. Any hobby has a larger initial cost outlay. The it just depends how far you want to go, and is it a hobby that may continue for years. I started with DCC having bought a Hornby Elite controller years (2009) before I built a layout (2013/14). It is still working well, has been upgraded, as upgrades became available. This hobby can be as expensive as you wish to make it. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

I went DCC when I first started and would do so again. I did it to ‘future proof’ my layout and to avoid section switches. However, I have droppers to every rail and point to ensure good running. The idea of just two wires needed to run a layout does not seem to be correct.

Thanks for the wealth of experience that's been shared here, I'm clearly in the right place to seek advice!

So, the family member in question is 12 so old enough to have a pretty active role in the planning and design. He's also a pretty capable computer coder so computer control is something that I think will add depth to the experience. We're starting without any existing rolling stock so retrofitting DCC to old stock isn't a significant consideration unless some appears from my parents' loft.

We've pretty much decided on DCC but I'm still unsure of what hardware is required. I think it would be good to still have a physical controller and not to be entirely dependant on a computer or app to get a train to actually move. What hardware would be required to achieve both a physical controller and control via computer. Can anyone suggest some cost-effective options? From my initial Googling, it's looking like it'll require an investment of hundreds to get started on DCC, am I missing something or is it genuinely such an expensive option...

Thanks in anticipation...

Hello geojay
If you are sure that your young family member is going to be really serious about carrying on with model trains as a hobby in the future then DCC is the way to go, if not it could be a very expensive outlay.
I chose to go down the DC route when I started and I do enjoy operating a DC layout but DCC gives so much more realism with todays technology and certainly it is the future way to go.
Puddles

Puddles wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 4:24 pm it could be a very expensive outlay.

How expensive exactly? I can't fathom what a realistic outlay is...

Really depends how much you want to spend.

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Tue Dec 20, 2022 6:42 pm Really depends how much you want to spend.

Well, as little as possible as our first step into DCC. I think the following would represent our requirements:

• Less than ten locos on the layout (currently zero in our possession!).
• Two locos able to move at once.
• Ability to control from a physical controller.
• Ability to control from computer.
• Ability to control points in the future.

Are there any other questions that we should consider? We'd be perfectly happy with second hand.

What devices do we actually require? Is it simply a power supply and a controller? Is there a good beginners guide to DCC that anyone can recommend?

Thanks in anticipation!