NEWBIE

[TMurry14]

I was at the Columbus Train show this past weekend..and decided I finally wanted to start this hobby.. I got a DCC set.
1. What is the difference between diesel DCC and digitial DCC?
2. Any suggestions to a new person to this hobby...I literally do not know much about this (hence why im getting educated on this forum)
3. How do you get the switches hooked up? can it be controlled by the DCC control system?

Thanks alot for your help!

[NarrowMinded]

Hi, And welcome to the wonderful world of Railroading.

DCC stands for "Digital Command Control", It sounds like you bought a Diesel (modern) Locomotive set as opposed to a Steam  (old-time) Locomotive set.
whether it is steam or Diesel they are both the same "DCC" just the appearance is differant. if you have Locos with sound then the decoders will have the appropriate sounds for the style of locomotive it is. the Decoder is the electronic "brain" so to speak that is inside the locomotive.

NM

Bachmann does sell DCC controlled switches, if yours are not DCC then there are decoders you can buy to activate them. Which set did you buy? that will help others help you.

[TMurry14]

Thanks and I am glad to be aboard for this awesome hobby!

The set I bought was http://www.megahobby.com/images/view.aspx?productId=944  and then i bought the additional EZ track of this...   Bachmann's track pack has nickel silver track with gray roadbed. 3-piece Track Pack features: Nine 9" straight sections One 9" terminal/rerailer One 9" rerailer Twenty 18" radius curved sections Two 3" straight sections Two left switches Two right switches Four switch wires (green) One terminal wire (red)


http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Snap-Fit-Greatest-Railroad/dp/B0006NI3TQ

Hope this helps you help me   If you have any other questions or need more info to narrow it down I would be glad to try and find it for you  Thanks again

[NarrowMinded]

That info helps a good deal, You will need an additional accessory power supply to run your switches.   The EzCommand you have with your set does not have an accessory output.
You may have a plug in power supply already around your house that could be used, like an old phone charger.  I flip the switches on my kids layout with an old 16v AC power supply from an old cordless phone I had.  
The red wire will connect to the power supply, then into the side of the activation switch, the green wires plug into the front of the switch, to activate them you slide it to the position you want then press down on the switch to throw the points/rail switch. your switches can be plugged into each other side by side so they all use the same red wire to power them.

NM

[TMurry14]

OK great thanks! I think I sort of get the idea now..Will I have to control them manually or how will I label them and then switch them by using the command pad? Do you have any suggestions on thigs you did wrong when you first started? or things you wish you would of changed?  Thanks for your help

[NarrowMinded]

Did that set come with the switches to activate the turnouts? they are little square switches that the wires plug into. you would use those with power to throw the turnouts. if you want to control them with DCC you would have to buy the decoder equiped turnouts found here.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewCat&catId=167

The biggest  mistake I made was using curves that were too tight (small radius) then buying locomotives that needed larger curves to run.

NM

[TMurry14]

my set came with http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=194  and the green wire is already attatched to the bottom of the turnout.

[TMurry14]

another simple thing..I am not sure how to turn the trians headlight on using the DCC pad..Im sorry im tottally brand new to all this..so its the blind leading the blind I appreciate your patience. 

TM

[poliss]

To turn lights on press 10 on your DCC pad.
See the four part series 'Bachmann E-Z Command' videos on Youtube for more instructions.
Here's a link to Part One. http://www.youtube.com/user/bachmanntrains#p/search/8/JAin_nEMHlY

[TMurry14]

OK thanks I will look into the you tube videos.Thanks