Quote from: jward on July 04, 2013, 11:51:12 AM
the only problem I have with the ez command is its limited functionality. if you want to do any programming of your decoders besides setting the address, you'll need something else.

That's good to know. I will look at those books and see what my options are.

I have a question, after reading some posts out there I have a question about turnouts and stop lights.

1.) Is there really a good reason to go with DCC turnouts?
I mean there is obvious wiring benefit, but is there any drawbacks there as well?
For example i saw some people trying to add indicators for position and it seems to difficult with dcc.
Any other things you can or cannot do with DCC? What can you do with dcc switches that you won't be able with regular.
Are things like auto switching when train approach on particular track even possible or it's something that require way too much tinkering?

2.) Stop lights and Semaphores.
I didn't notice anything like that (beside pure cosmetics) on Bachmann site. I know that Marklin has semaphores that can be set to auto swithc once train passed and actually stop trains. (To be honest it wasn't clear to me how is that achieve and is it done on dcc or dc track.)
Are those kind of things possible to do on DCC? I have a feeling this is way advance topic and not many people do this kind of things...
I just want to make sure I don't go one particular path and later on find out that I need to change half the stuff I have to achieve some particular goal.

Those questions obviously might disappear as soon as I start and finish reading books that were recommended to me. I am pretty sure right now I sound indeed totally clueless about the whole thing

Last but not least I want to say thanks to all people who posted so far. I really appreciate your feedback you all make me feel very good about people in this hobby.

Quote from: electrical whiz kid on July 03, 2013, 01:58:34 PM
Yeah-the world is yours, but do some reading on this before you jump in with a gleam in your eye and louse up something expensive.  DCC is a nice way to go-some guys swear by it, other swear at it; but all in all, it is a good thing; but like I said, do some bookwork first.
RIch C.

Awesome. Any recommendation on what I should read? Any link are appreciated If I need to buy some books I will...

Quote from: MilwaukeeRoadfan261 on July 03, 2013, 12:21:33 PM
For the decoder, I would recommend a either a Bachmann decoder (model #44915 which is what any Bachmann DCC on board engine from the Standard and a few from the Spectrum areas are fitted with) or a Soundtraxx mobile decoder (model #852001, which I have heard is a good decoder, which like the Bachmann is an 8 Pin 1 Amp decoder with 2 functions but has the decoder plug, which plugs into the socket in the tender of the 2-8-0, as part of the decoder for if it is going in an engine with very little space for a decoder like a tank engine). As for the controller, Bachmann's EZ-Command controller Model #44902, is a great one to start with. I had one and it worked great since at the time I only had a couple engines which were a Spectrum 2-8-0, Standard line GP40 and a Standard line 2-8-4 in unlettered C&O style. So an EZ-Command DCC controller would be a great one for you to start with. When I used it, it ran the two track oval I had at the time perfectly with only 1 set of power wires hooked up to the outer line. I hope this advise is helpful to you in getting a DCC model railroad going.

MilwaukeeRoadfan261

Sorry I am really new to this - when you say decoder -- you mean I can put it into my existing locomotive so I can use DCC controller with it? So I don't have to buy new DCC locomotive I can just add decoder to the one I have?

Greetings.
This is going to be completely noob question.
I just received as a gift Durango & Silverton starter set.
On the long run my plan was to upgrade to digital to have 2 train and have Simple loop with siding 5' by 4' or Double loop.

Is this a good starter set to do that or I should rather try returning this to exchange to some other kind of starter if possible.
IF I can use this as a good start is there any recommended paths or parts?
I for example couldn't easily on this site find just DCC controller and it's not obvious to me what of the starter set i can reuse if I do this?
I assume i won't be able to use the locomotive but i should be able to use the tracks and cars. Am I correct?

Thank you for your advise.