Lost in a New World?

[PHILFLYER]

Hi there. I bought many train sets in the 80's and 90's, thinking in the days of my retirement. Everything was packaged in a box, and now I find that all my stuff works with another technollogy, of curse.
What are the new things, in resume, that I have to consider to enjoy actually this great hobby?
Could anyone give me some advise?

[Trainman203]

Those older  train sets were DC powered, and you can still run them.  DC power packs are still available.

You might have trouble getting engines that have never moved in 25 years to run though.  All of the electrical contacts including inside the motors have oxidized.  Engines ought to be run at least once a year to keep them electrically alive.  I have about 35 engines but really use about 8 or 9 mostly.  Every year I get the rest out and spend a couple of evenings switching back and forth with them.

While you were gone (and while I was out for years also) a new operating technology called Digital Command Control ("DCC", some call it Direct Command Contol) came out.  It is old news today and iPhone based command is emerging.  It might be safe to say that most advanced model railroads today use DCC. You should investigate it.  Engines can be converted to DCC but many train set engines are not worth the expense and time.

I embraced DCC  when I re entered model railroading and never looked back, got rid of my DC engines and enjoy to this day  (for me) superior operating characteristics and features of DCC .

You might try one of Bachmann's DCC / sound train sets to see how you like it.

http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=258_269_620

[PHILFLYER]

So, would I need  to buy a new power pack and speed controler, for new locomotives? And I suppose that the older ones cannot run with this speed controler, am I ríght?

[jbrock27]

So, would I need  to buy a new power pack and speed controler, for new locomotives? And I suppose that the older ones cannot run with this speed controler, am I ríght?

If your question is "can I run a DCC outfitted loco on a DC power pack?", the answer is yes, only if the DCC loco has the ability to be switched to DC running.  If not, you cannot.  However, to take full advantage of all that a DCC loco has to offer, you would need to buy a DCC power system, as TM203 plugged for.  Do the research before you purchase.

Now,

You might have trouble getting engines that have never moved in 25 years to run though.  All of the electrical contacts including inside the motors have oxidized.  Engines ought to be run at least once a year to keep them electrically alive.

...this may be the case, especially the oxidation, where TM203 lives along the coast of LA, but this is neither a given or a forgone conclusion for everyone, everywhere.  Plenty of locos can run after sitting for years, idle.  I do agree running them often helps but so does cleaning and lubricating them when needed.  I would not assume that locos you have sitting around for a time will not work.  I would try them, depending on their quality, they may work.  If all are like your U36B, probably not so much and you may be looking at starting a loco fleet from scratch.  But at least take them out see if they run and if they don't, next step is to take the shells off, see what you can see and perhaps do some cleaning and definitely some lubing.

[PHILFLYER]

I understand that I have  to make an effort and explore the new era in this field. Anyway I need  some help from the experts. So what are the main differences between an E-Z command controler and the DCC Dynamis hand set? Next, if I buy a locomotive "with a factory-installed 8-pin plug for DCC decoder installation of your choice", may I buy a decoder to digitally control speed, lighting, direction and sound? How does this work? And, if I buy a locomotive with the control speed, lightiing and direction decoder included, how do I add the sound? Thanks in advance.
ALO

[jward]

first of all, you don't have to use dcc if you don't want to. your locomotives are set up to run dc/analog as was traditionally done, and you can continue to buy new locomotives that will run that way as well. those locomotives you inquired about, having the 8 pin socket, are currently setup to run analog. however, the 8 pin socket makes their conversion to dcc/ digital control as simple as plugging in the appropriate decoder. adding sound is a whole other matter, and if you want a dcc sound locomotive you'd be better off as a newby purchasing one already equipped rather than do it yourself. if you go this route, I would suggest you read up on block control wiring to get the most out of your layout.

the difference between the ez command and dynamis is profound. the ez command is a basic stripped down starter set, with minimal programming capabilities and current capacity. the dynamis is one of many full featured dcc systems on the market, with enhanced programming capabilities and a more robust current rating.

here is something to consider if you want to run sound equipped locomotives: sound decoders use a lot more current than non sound decoders do. they also have provisions for selecting the sounds you want, along with the various adjustments (speed, direction, lighting, etc) available in a regular non-sound decoder. if you want to run sound locomotives, and customize them to your preferences, you will want to invest in a full featured dcc system like the dynamis as the ez command is not up to the task.

[PHILFLYER]

I have a lot of DC trains, cars, tracks, figures... If I want to buy and enjoy only one DCC locomotive with speed, lighting, direction and sound control. What do I have to buy: the Dynamis handset, the locomotive with soundtraxx, and some of the new accesories like E-Z command DCC turnouts?

[Hunt]

The E-Z Command Dynamis handset is only an add-on component and is useless without the other parts.


Click Here   for Part 1 of 4 videos. With links to the other three.  The Dynamis DCC system shown in the 4 videos has advanced into a new product  Dynamis Ultima  , which is current only being sold by Bachmann's sister company Bachmann Europe Plc. Click Here for introduction video.

Do your research before you decided on any DCC system.

If you just want sound without all the capability of DCC, this new product is cost effective if you have a smartphone with correct Bluetooth version.  Click Here

[jbrock27]

Do your research before you decided on any DCC system.

This certainly bears repeating.

[jward]

bear in mind you do not HAVE to use dcc to control your switches. you can, as I do, power them the traditional way from an analog power pack. use the ac terminals and wire them according to the instructions that come with them.

it is possible to add a dpdt switch to your layout to allow you to switch the power source from analog/dc to dcc and back. if you do this, remember to move your dc locomotives to unpowered track (if you use block control you can park them on a siding and cut power to that track) so that you don't damage their motors by letting them sit on dcc powered track. this is especially important if your locomotives have the cheap pancake motors used in older train set locomotives.

[PHILFLYER]

Thanks to all you. I"ll do my research and next I will ask again, if you please.

[jbrock27]

Absolutely.  Anytime

Good luck with your decisions.