I recently purchased the River Pass 4x8 HO layout complete kit, by Woodland Scenics. I want to wire it for DCC, but don't know what system, or size of system required for a 4x8 layout. I read DCC made easy by Kalmbach Publishing, and grasp the concept, but need help in what system to buy; i.e. power supply , booster etc. Most of my engines are Bachmann, and the track system for River Pass is Atlas track. Would appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks mcfly5040
I would recommend a http://www.digitrax.com/prd_zep_basic_set.phpDigitrax Zephyr Basic Set (//http://). It is a 3 amp Command Station & Booster and also comes with a power supply. And don't worry about a bus system & extra boostersystem for the layout. A 4x8 is too small to require one.
First things first. You say that most of your engines are Bachmann. It does make any difference what make of locomotives you have. The question is, are they DC ready or have a decoder in them.
^I believe you mean DCC ready. :P But yes, as I neglected to mention you need decoders in all of your engines. (Duh...)
most of my locomotives are DCC equipped, and the rest are DCC ready. Those would be the Shays, and the climax as well as the Proto PA loco
I would recommend a second power lead half way around the layout.
Gene
jake you are correct. I did mean DCC ready. My computer must not be work correctly.
I would agree with Gene to add the second power lead. I could actually see the adding so that you have a power lead in the north, south east and west of the layout. The digitrax Zephar would also be a very good choice and would allow the expansion to one of the larger systems if ever needed.
mcfly5040,
Do some reading here http://www.litchfieldstation.com/lobby/u_university.htm (http://www.litchfieldstation.com/lobby/u_university.htm)
I have MRC's new version Prodigy Advance Squared 2. It is 3.5 Amp and very user friendly. I at first was afraid of DCC but with this MRC it makes it easy. You can program on the main track or a seperate program track. I run up to 4 seperate trains at once, I'm sure it will handle more but that is all I can watch and control at one time safely. You can add extra Cabs (Seprate controls) so another person can operate other trains on the same layout with you.