DCC Help

[YellowHillsCentral]

I am finally breaking ground on my railroad, and have recently took a break to look at different DCC products. There are quite a few choices out there, and I have no idea what to choose. I do have requirments though. I want to run phoenix and sierra sound, and I don't want to use battery power. I also want to be able to run a few engines at a time.

Thanks
CSLM

[Greg Elmassian]

This is a big topic, and probably this is not the best place to get help.

I would suggest:

1. join a club where DCC is used
2. Make some friends that use DCC
3. read about dcc in large scale
4. read the dcc forums on MLS and LSC
5. keep reading!

There are a lot of options out there.

Regards, Greg

p.s. I run DCC, so there is some stuff on my web site too.

[Nathan]

Even though it is a commercial site:

http://tonysdcc.com/

They have a lot of good information.  They also carry all the major brands and can answer questions related to problems between items from different 'brands'.  They also have a DCC forum you might look at.

No, I do not work for them, but have been buying from them for many years.

[John B]

Look at QSI.  It's DCC and sound together.

[Greg Elmassian]

I use QSI, I like it, but you should focus on the controller system first, i.e. the power supply, booster, command station and the cabs. That is the decision that is not easily undone.

You will have lots to time to try different decoders in your locos, and you can use any decoder with any DCC control system (except some cheaper, entry level stuff).

Regards, Greg