I have been on several sales forums looking at used HO layouts. I saw a local 4x8 layout which was originally advertised at $750 and is now $250. Looking at the buildings, scenery, and track I think it is worth way more than $750.00. My question, how difficult is it to change an analog layout to DCC? What is the approximate expense? Is it worth it to convert as opposed to buying new and starting from scratch?
Thank you, in advance, Jeff S.
That is a wide open question.
Track can usually remains as is. Turnouts, that depends on different issues.
Controller, what do you want for features?
My club converted some years ago from DC to DCC and had two rooms. HO. We just did it. Four DC throttles. 14 blocks. One reverse loop.
14 wire. one DCDC reverser. NCE five amp Power Pro. Added a crossover and a reverser. In the smaller room a reverse loop and reverser.
DC throttles no longer used.
Rich
For a 4x8 layout the only major expense will be the DCC system you decide to use. A decent starter system that lets you read and write CV's will run somewhere in the neighborhood of $200. If the layout is wired for dual power pack control with blocks, all you need to do is set the block switches to the 'ON' position for whichever power pack you replace with the DCC system. If there is a reverse loop or why on the layout, you'll also need an autoreverse module.
Len
~150 for a good starter set DCC system
~30/ locomotive for the Decoders (if they already have them, that's great. You also need to install them which is a time investment, or pay somebody to do it. The overwhelming majority of engines from the last few years will be either already DCC equipped, or have sockets for easy installation, but not all
If you want to hook up turnouts and such to DCC, thats an additional expense.
Trackwork can almost certainly be left as is however.
If you're looking to convert to DCC on the cheap, the good starter DCC command stations list for around $225 TO $250. These will usually have a power output of 2 to 3 amps, the same as a good DC power pack. If you look you can find them for much less than that. Decent decoders will run at least $20 apiece. You may be better off buying a couple of new DCC equipped locomotives than converting to older ones, depending on what locomotives you already have or what comes with the layout. As for the switch controls, you may want to leave them analog. I personally see no advantage to DCC controlled switches unless you are looking to control them via computer. I've always found having the switch controls on a panel where they're clearly marked much easier to deal with than trying to remember what address you assigned them in DCC.
The cost of the DCC unit, plus two or three DCC equipped locomotives will set you back about $500 total, more if you're buying sound equipped locomotives. If you have decent locomotives worth converting to DCC, you can save alot of money by doing so, but remember that DCC is not a cure all, and a cheap, poor running locomotive will still be a cheap, poor running locomotive even if you convert it to DCC.
DO your research before you buy. There are web dealers whose websites offer good comparisons between systems.
I'm going to echo Jeff on the DCC turnouts. I bought DCC turnouts and I wish I would have stayed with DC ones. It's hard enough managing a few locos running as well as trying to control your turnouts, too, at the same time with a DCC system. DCC turnouts eliminated the wires but it made it harder for me to deal with everything going on as just one person. I had eight DCC turnouts so than was part of my issue. A couple of them shouldn't be too bad to deal with.
I have a friend who had 40 or 50 of them on his layout. Using NCE walkaround controllers, it was a nightmare trying to remember all those addresses. He ended up putting markers with the address on it by each switch.
We tend to be a relatively small group, and we learn from each other's experiences. My dad was a DCC holdout, years after the rest of us had converted. He left the control panels in place, just like I did, and ran the switches the traditional way. He was able to get a top of the line system, and decoders for a fleet of about 20 locomotives for about $1k.
I did it on the cheap. I carefully researched the available systems, chose the one that gave me the most bang for the buck, and bought it. For me the deciding factor was my system's ability to use my existing DC power packs as additional controllers. I got the system and the initial 5 decoders for $300. And just like that, I could run DCC with two other friends or my son. 16 years later i still have the original system, though i'm not currently using it, i will reuse it as a booster on my expanded layout. It was replaced a few years back by an updated version of the same system. I've never regretted my choice. It's performed well for me.
One of the best advisements I ever read was to first directly connect your new DCC starter system to a loop of track off the layout, and learn with it there, rather than render your layout inoperative until you get conversant with DCC. One thing for sure is that certain pontificating authors and publications have done a very good job of unnecessarily overcomplicating things for the beginner to the point of intimidation, with boosters, buses, and other devices totally unneeded for a 4x8.
I could see that. There is a learning curve. But usually it's the programming end that gets complicated. Acquiring and running a locomotive is relatively straight forward on most systems. Still, a practice loop would come in handy for training purposes. Reminds me of the one PIttsburgh Railways had to train new trolley motormen.
I did ok some years ago with the Power Cab and manual turnouts and decoders I installed myself including sound, but I had knowledge of DCC.
Rich
I just bought an NCE PowerCab for $173 discounted.
You did ok it seems. Pays to shop around. Does it have the latest upgrade chip in it? Been some years,
Rich
That I don't know. But I'm eventually going to have wireless capability added and I'll get it done then.
I'd contact NCE and ask them. They have excellent customer service.
NCE Has helped me some years ago.
Below is a very good NCE Group I use to belong to. Join up. Many members.
https://groups.io/g/NCE-DCC
Rich
I actually built my DCC command module using a clone Arduino Uno Rev 3 board, a clone Arduino Motor Shield, and Raspberry Pi 4. I bought the hardware off Amazon and Adafruit, software was off Aduino, Raspberry, and JMRI (Controller software). There are a few videos you can use for this.
I saw this thing on YouTube and thought "Why not?" It works well. I am able to program my locomotives, etc. I have not added control to my switches yet.
The whole thing cost me a total of about $100....and I get to use the Raspberry Pi for other things as well :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa18c0Do1l8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQogIIad-rk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtaZ1_L91Bg
Good luck and have fun!