By Fred Hughes

Author  Bio Over the years a multitude of companies and individuals have attempted to develop improvements in the way we control our model railroads.

Some of the very first ideas came from the toy train companies. American Flyer, Lionel and Marx each developed different methods in attempts to allow control of multiple trains and layout features.

Early variations of track power systems incorporated such variations as 3 rails, promoted by Lionel in an attempt to eliminate polarity problems caused by installation of a reverse loop in the layout. This of course solved the polarity problem but didn't do much for the "prototype" realism many modelers desired. Lionel also introduced one of the first twin or dual power transformers that allowed control of two separate sections of a layout with one device. Great for Lionel because once you were running on 3 rails you were probably their permanent customer.

Since the introduction of cheap transistors the model-railroading world has seen a plethora of manufacturers scrambling for our dollars with a multitude of approaches to "improve" our hobby. This has led to power and control systems designed with no industry standards, goals or compatibility concerns. Some of these systems had wonderful features and were installed in many layouts. Unfortunately many no longer exist, support is no longer available or these products are not compatible with current offerings.

As DCC began to have an increasing impact on the model railroader the NMRA began to form user groups and because of compatibility concerns the NMRA established a program to test manufacturer's products and issue their approval to products that "conform to NMRA standards", "NMRA recommended practices", and industry norms. Does this mean that systems with the NMRA seal of approval are all the same? Much as it would be nice to say yes; the answer is no. The best way to think about this is to use the analogy of variations in television sets. Most all TV sets can receive the standard broadcast signals, less can display a color picture, less connect to cable, less offer stereo sound, less HDTV, less on screen programming guides, less split screen and so forth.

One TV manufacturer may have different models with different features. This is even more prevalent in DCC systems. Atlas, CVP, DCC-BitSwitch, Digitrax, LGB, Lenz, MRC, NCE, Ramfixx, Roco, Wangrow and Zimo, are a few of the manufacturers competing for our DCC dollars today. Even though we see many sources for systems it is helpful to know for example that Wangrow bought Ramfixx, and that Lenz who also was the original manufacturer of the LGB Multi Train System makes Atlas. ALL THESE SYSTEMS CAN VIEW THE PICTURE! Less can show you the split screen.

Which Base DCC system for the "Garden"?

In 1998 An NMRA DCC Working Group published DIGITAL COMMAND CONTROL - the comprehensive guide to DCC- which I have found to be the best condensed reference source currently available to help us understand DCC. This text is required reading for anyone interested in DCC and includes information on many providers of DCC products.

I have not researched or used all the available products and systems on the market. Therefore I will only comment on products with which I have had direct experience in G or N scale. I have used various Atlas, CVP, Digitrax, LGB, Lenz, NCE, MRC and Soundtrax products as a result of building my own DCC Garden and N Scale layouts or assisting others with their equipment.Today base DCC systems vary in price from $150 to $600+ and even though most are NMRA DCC conformant there are many differences. Systems vary as to features and power available.

In the garden our trains require more power to operate than the smaller scales. Also G-Scale locomotive manufacturers design their products with large variations in the power required to operate their equipment. LGB indicates in its MTS technical papers that several of their engines can operate on a 5 amp system however if you are running several LGB dual motor locomotives 5 amps is not adequate. Additionally outdoor operations, with long rail lines, adds to the load. Some USA trains locomotives have motors that when pulling a long coal train can pull as many as 8 amps for just one engine. While some small G-Scale layouts can operate on 5 amps of power most will require 10 amps and very large layouts more.

So how can we know which system is best for our layout?

The best solution is to get a system that is as expandable and NMRA DCC compliant as possible.

Your choice for a basic DCC system must be determined by your own personal likes and the amount of control you desire.

The Atlas and MRC entry level systems can be purchased for less than $200 however they are not expandable or generally suitable for G scale layouts except for the simplest layout operating 1 or 2 small engines.

CVP offers a broad product lineup of EASY DCC Systems in either assembled or kit form. Their product line is very complete and includes a fully assembled wireless starter system at $539. For those interested in building their own, system kits start at $219. CVP also offers wireless throttles compatible with Atlas and Lenz systems. I have used the CVP "wireless throttle" and found this product to be easy to install and convenient to use.

Digitrax, has a broad product offering and is considered to be among the best manufacturers of DCC systems. Their pricing is competitive with the other major suppliers of DCC systems and their products are NMRA DCC compliant. My familiarity with Digitrax products has been limited to using their mobile decoders for my N-Scale layouts. Digitrax offers a full range of mobile decoders that have performed well.

LGB manufactures the most widely used G-Scale products for the garden. As garden railroad enthusiasts we know that LGB makes excellent products. If this is true for engines and rolling stock then for DCC we may be tempted to make the "safe" choice and select the "LGB MTS (multi-train) System". The LGB MTS is a DCC system but LGB has chosen to attempt to eliminate competition by taking a proprietary approach with their products. LGB's product offerings are very reliable and will give you some of the advantages of DCC but not the flexibility to incorporate other manufacturer's products. LGB MTS products are not NMRA DCC compliant. Having said this you should know that the LGB MTS engine decoders are solid products and will operate satisfactorily with other DCC systems. This is important because LGB will not provide wiring schematics for many of their products or support other manufacturers DCC decoders.

For this reason it is a good idea to have LGB install their MTS "mobile decoders" in certain selected locomotives. This is especially true for any locomotive that has FACTORY INSTALLED LGB SOUND SYSTEMS. This will eliminate any problems related to future warranty or repair service needed for these engines. The sacrifice we make by using the LGB MTS decoders is that they do not have many of the features we might find attractive in the garden.

Lenz offers an "Advanced Set" in both 5 amp $290 and 10 amp $425 versions that do not allow control of accessories such as turnouts, crossing guards etc but are easily upgraded with kits available from Lenz. The Lenz "Professional Sets" start at $450 and are full-featured systems. Lenz does not currently offer a "wireless Throttle" however CVP products manufactures a wireless hand throttle designed for use with Lenz systems. Lenz also has a full line of advanced decoders that offer a multitude of features. In addition to offering decoders with the Lenz name the company also makes or has made product for Atlas and LGB.

NCE, offers complete full featured systems that are priced starting at $450. Their command system is extremely versatile and offers all the flexibility of the high-end offerings of its competitors. NCE has also just started shipping a wireless hand throttle that is especially appealing for garden use. The NCE product line includes a full line of mobile and accessory decoders.

Soundtrax is a supplier of excellent sound systems and decoders designed specifically for the DCC market. They do not offer base command or power systems. The Soundtrax Sierra Sound system is operational in both DCC and DC environments.DCC-BitSwitch products are accessories that provide automatic traffic control that includes stopping at signals, crossing controls, station dispatching etc. for DCC equipped layouts. They do not offer base command or power systems.

All these companies have attractive products but how difficult is the installation of DCC in the garden?

Next time installing DCC.

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