| For years, the majority of electric trains were | | | | hand held controller/program unit allows you to either |
| operated using AC/DC power. The major problem | | | | run several engines together as a unit. Also, if we |
| was you just couldn't run more than one train on the | | | | have two steam engines running slightly different |
| same track unless your layout was massive and you | | | | than each other the controller allows for that since it |
| built in control blocks with several people controlling | | | | has two separate controllers built in. You set the |
| those blocks. You had no control over the engine | | | | speed of one and then match that speed with the |
| except for the control of the transformer or | | | | other controller so they are going at the same |
| rectifier.Recently a new system has been introduced | | | | speed.The most engines we have tried to run on my |
| that revolutionized the control of trains on a layout. | | | | friends layout, at any one time were seven engines |
| We are going to look at the HO system and DCC | | | | simultaneously. One set was a lash up of four |
| control versus the DC system.First a layout does not | | | | locomotives, another was a lash of two locomotives |
| have to be huge to be able to control a locomotive | | | | and one single locomotives. This was a mix of two |
| or several locomotives at the same time. DCC | | | | sets of diesels and one articulated steam engine.By |
| introduced the decoder which is a mini chip and circuit | | | | monitoring the engines and setting each combination |
| board that is programmable. They can be very small | | | | or single engine to be traveling at the same speed |
| that will fit into any "n" gauge locomotive or | | | | allows for continuous running with out an incident.You |
| reasonably sized to fit any larger locomotive.The | | | | just can't do this with any success with the DC |
| decoder introduced a means to program a | | | | system of operation. There are too many variables |
| locomotive and be able to operate that locomotive | | | | to deal with the DC operation versus the DCC |
| independently from any other locomotive on the | | | | operation.There is a cost for decoders which are not |
| track. For example, you are able to lash together a | | | | necessarily cheap. The initial cost of the system that |
| set of four F3 diesel engines and run them as a unit. | | | | is built in to the layout is also costly. However, I feel |
| You can also program a set of steam engines to | | | | it is worth it since you can do so many more things |
| operate together or independently.The DCC system | | | | with DCC. There are several manufactures of these |
| allows the operator to run locomotives at a very low | | | | products and the prices very. The best way for you |
| and realistic speed. The power distribution through | | | | to find good prices is by through surfing the WEB for |
| the decoder is refined by the circuitry and PC. You | | | | a retailer who can give you the best price.Joy Ball has |
| will find the locomotives respond better and speed is | | | | been involved in the restoration and maintenance of |
| attained in a controlled fashion. You may also control | | | | a variety of Brass Model Locomotives. Through her |
| the lights in the locomotive by turning them off and | | | | years of expertise, Mrs. Ball has perfected the art of |
| on and if there is a Mars light you can have it on or | | | | train restoration often spending countless hours |
| off.There are also sound systems with a decoder as | | | | preserving vintage Brass Locomotives to running |
| part of the sound circuitry. However that is a | | | | condition of even the newest Brass Model Replicas. |
| different subject to be discussed in a later article.The | | | | |