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How To Convert Your Model Railroad Setup From DC to Digital Command Control

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Scott

DCC is short for "Digital Command Control" and is a modern method of
controlling a model train setup which may include multiple locomotives,
operational scenery such as drawbridges, reversing sections and more.
DCC operates using pulsed electrical signals which have digital
information encoded onto them and a decoder is required on the
operating equipment in order to respond appropriately to the commands
from the operator.

Want the full scoop on how to convert from DC to DCC? I'm offering a 10
page report with all the details, just register for my mini-course
using the subscription form to the right and you will get instant
access!

Using DCC, the operation of multiple locomotives can be independently
controlled including their speed and direction, along with their
features such as headlights and smoke generators. Such advanced control
using an analog (DC) system entails additional, completely independent
and highly complex power schemes to control multiple locomotives
independently.

Another advantage of DCC over DC would be that the control of all
components of the model train setup is integrated. Just a single
command station with an included or independent throttle can control
the entire setup, which makes the control much simpler. An analog
system would need multiple controllers and switches which makes the
control of large setups complicated. DCC can also help in making
locomotives behave more realistically. A locomotive decoder can be
programmed to slow down and speed up gradually, mimicking the real live
motion of the prototype.

Converting from DC to DCC

If you have an analog set and want to get the advantages of DCC without
buying a complete DCC set, there are some changes that you can make to
your existing equipment, along with purchasing some new components.

Track Wiring Changes

The first thing to be done is wire your layout correctly for DCC power
boosters. If you have a small layout, with perhaps one or two power
wires distributed around your tracks, you may be able to use a single
DCC power booster for the whole layout. If this is the case, you would
just connect the power outputs of the booster to all the feeds of your
layout.

If your layout is large, and you have separate sections for power (also
known as the home-run method of wiring), your layout is ready for DCC
power. For each section (also known as "blocks"), you will need a power
booster, just connect each booster to each block, and you are ready to
go. With DCC, these sections are referred to as "power districts."

If your layout is large and you are using the common-rail method of
wiring, where one rail is continuous throughout the layout, you will
have to modify the layout to have separate sections (as in the home-run
method described above). Once you have separate power districts, you
then can connect each district to it's own DCC power booster.

DCC Equipment

"Decoder's" are devices which can respond to the command signals that
are on transmitted on the tracks. Each decoder has a unique "address,"
so the operator can use one command station to control a large variety
of components (as long as they have a decoder associated with them).
For example, each locomotive will have it's own decoder and unique
address, so running multiple locomotives becomes very simple. Station
signals, locomotive steam, operating switches and couplers is all
easily accomplished, because each one is uniquely addressed in the
system. Another way to look at DCC is as if it were a computer network.
There is one "server" which issues commands, and many "clients" which
can be thought of as simple computers that each only respond to
commands that are addressed to them.

Decoders will have to be installed on each locomotive, and on any other
device where you want to be able to control it from the command
station.

A "DCC Power Booster" is needed for each power district on the track.
If you have a simple layout, not sectioned off, then you can start with
one power booster. The booster is connected to the Command station, and
superimposes the digital commands issued from it, onto the power signal
which is connected to the tracks.

The "command station" is where the throttle and other controls are
found, and is how the operator determines what the trains and other
components will be doing at any given time.

You can also purchase a command station and throttle separately, and
you can purchase combination units that include throttle, command
station and power booster in one package.

Putting it all together

If you want maximum control over every component in your model train
setup, switching to DCC would be a very wise decision. Along with that
if you started out with a basic, single train setup and now are
planning to expand your setup to include more components, sticking with
analog would be a disadvantage as there would be much more work needed
in the form of creating new independent circuits for additional
locomotives.

With some planning and homework, you can get into DCC and expand your
model train hobby with great ease and have more fun.

Want the full scoop on how to convert from DC to DCC? I'm offering a 10
page report with all the details, just register for my mini-course
using the subscription form to the right and you will instantly get
access to it!

Did you find this article informative? Please share it with others,
using the "Tell A Friend" button, or Tweet it. Thanks!

Posted in Additional Articles | 2 Comments

Post-War Lionel Trains

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Scott

The era of post-war Lionel trains starts from 1945, after the end of
World War II. Production of the Lionel model trains started late that
year after a gap of over three years. Within two years the production
was brought up to full scale and a pretty large lineup of post-war
Lionel trains was established. EMD-F3-1-

Change in color schemes

One of the biggest changes in the post-war Lionel trains was that the
color scheme was no longer modeled to be bright and colorful but
instead an emphasis was placed on realism as compared to the models'
real-life counterpart. This scheme increased the sales of Lionel trains
to enthusiasts, who previously had ignored Lionel's models as they were
very unrealistic and targeted at kids. Lionel also started selling
localized models which were painted and designed to exactly copy the
outer shell of the real life local trains.

New Features

The most important new feature that was introduced in the post-war
Lionel trains was smoke capability. Production of smoke was achieved by
using a special kind of oil or placing a tablet in the smokestack of
the train. This led to grey vapors emerging from the train when it ran,
increasing the realistic look of the train set. Nearly all models of
the post-war Lionel trains had this feature. The only exceptions were
the budget models. Another new feature of post-war Lionel trains was
that the O gauge was used almost exclusively instead of the variety of
gauges that were used in the Lionel trains before the war, for example,
the proprietary Wide gauge.

Construction Set For Hobbiests

In the post-war era Lionel introduced a new construction set. This was
a train set which had to be built by the hobbiest. Although such sets
existed much earlier, they always needed tools like screws and bolts to
create the track. Lionel's construction was different as it did not
need any tools for creating a rail setup. It used rubber grommets which
retained specially designed aircraft rivets. This set was extremely
popular, with several variations introduced in the market with
different train models available.

The train tracks were a source of criticism. The beams used in them
were made of hollow metal and would easily deform if somebody stood on
them, rendering that portion useless.

The Company's Post-war Icon Train

The train that was considered an icon of the company, and in general
the icon of that era, was a model of the EMD F3 in a "Santa Fe War
Bonnet" paint scheme. This model of the train was called the Lionel
2333 diesel locomotive and was introduced in 1948. It can be said
without argument that this particular model was the most popular
post-war Lionel train and it has immense collector value even today.

diesel2333a_ident-

More Popular Locomotives From Lionel

Lionel went on to model many popular prototype locomotives. The GP-7
The Milwaukee Road was produced as the No. 2338, the Burlingon Route
No. 2328 and the Pennsylvania No. 2028, which was a no-frills unit.

Another locomotive of interest is the NW-2 Switcher. Produces in "O"
Gauge No. 622 and than in O27 Gauge version No. 6220 both were
outfitted with electronic coil couplers and a bell.

The Trainmaster was a large, and some have said the best running
locomotive produced by Lionel. It had dual worm-drive motors, allowing
it to out-pull most other locomotives. This model began production in
1954.

Lionel continues to this day to model and produce a wide variety of
locomotives and train equipment to suit the needs of the hobbiest.

If you enjoyed this article, please share it with the "Tell A Friend"
button. Thanks!

Posted in Additional Articles | Leave a comment
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