well filled baps The Sheep Chronicles : These are the adventures of a Sheep, the Works Forecat and Naughty George,

[John Besley]

Ok Thanks Rob be interested to see what others come up with

[Fair Oak Junction]

I will also add a vote for NCE Powercab. It's a very good and easy to use system 👍

[F-UnitMad]

NCE Powercab here. Yes it is 'old' technology in DCC terms, but it works, and also makes basic decoder programming simple, such as the all-important CV29.

[New Haven Neil]

I've used Lenz for years (22+), they're a bit outdated now, but reliable, and simple.  I don't use it for points, it's too many button pushes.  I insist on walkabout style.

 

I used to sell Dynamis (awful) Gaugemaster (OK for the price) and Hornby Elite (the only one with instructions normal people can understand and actually OK).  The Select was rubbish, so much so we wouldn't sell them.  My bestie uses Procab, he loves it, I 'm meh with it, and Digitrax which is old hat too now, but is OK but fiddly.

 

It's a very personal thing, it's down to what you feel comfortable with. 

 

Oh decoders - Zimo, for motor control - the best, nothing else is as good.  Then there's the rest, headed by ESU, Lenz, then everyone else.

[steve45]

If you don't want a large automatic computer controlled layout using software such as traincontroller examples being Chadwick Model Railway or Mckinley Model Railway and you want to control the locos via handsets yourself then you can't beat NCE, I use one myself. It's very simple and intuitive and has been developed over years and has a large following and a yahoo group for asking questions.

 

Suggest you do your own research, particularly on Youtube as there are lots of tutorials about programming decoders etc. using different systems. You will get an idea  which system may suite you - then go and search one out either at a retail DCC specialist or perhaps even better at a local model railway exhibition where you can ask questions from a user.

 

[NHY 581]

2 minutes ago, steve45 said:

 or perhaps even better at a local model railway exhibition where you can ask questions from a user.

 

 

 

Exactly right, Steve. In fact, I went one better. Chris Hopper @Gilbert invited me along to the Thornbury show to help operate his DCC controlled layout,  Penmaenbach. Spent a day getting to know the NCE Powercab and afterwards promptly ordered one though Chris had very kindly sent me home with a spare one to get to know both it and DCC in general a bit better. 

 

It certainly worked as EWE was DCC'd as a result and the new layout will be DCC controlled from the start. 

 

Rob. 

[NBL]

NCE PowerCab for me, does what I need it to do perfectly and simply, i.e. control trains and points.

[Donw]

I use a MERG system the cab is small and easy to use. I can turn the speed knob with the hand holding the cab.  For a medium sized station with turnouts and signals I use a lever frame or a row of switches to emulate a frame. But for small layouts, Cameos and shunting planks I find it easy to operate the turnouts from the cab. while operating the turnouts the direction control and speed knob are still useable.  This is very handy for shunting as I use three links in 7mm.

 

On the portable layout I am building I am using Arduino to control turnouts and signals  they can act a accessory decoders and servo drivers in one. If I have one per baseboard the only connections between baseboards will be the DCCbus.

The other DCC system I have is a DCC++EX one cost less than £50 quid however mobile phones tend to misinterpret my fingers so I am building a cab to use with it.

 

The larger layout I will be building will have lever frames  for the turnouts as per the prototype and be able to use either DCC system.

 

Don

[Gilbert]

One rather basic reason I like the Powercab - apart from the ease of simple programming (for me)  and the ability to use a stack of 6 locos with the recall button (for fellow operators who don't have to enter loco numbers) - is single handed use of a chunky bit of kit easy to hold in my dodgy left hand with thumb control while the more dexterous (sorry) right hand is available for other tasks such as the occasional contribution to uncoupling or drinking tea...

Chris

[Gedward]

 

Getting back into the hobby in 2020 after a 30 year hiatus. I had a fair bit of  catching up to do. But after a lot of reading and watching vids online, I went with the NCE Powercab and have not regretted it.

 

[NHY 581]

Morning all, 

 

Well, a resounding thumbs up all round for the Powercab. 

 

Another plus was/is the ease of installation. I had mine installed and running in probably an hour. Forty minutes of that was measuring, cutting and cleaning up  the hole to drop the small terminal panel into. 

 

There are no big power packs to accomodate. It is literally plug and play. 

 

I don't need or want any computer based capabilities. I just want something to make the trains move and if the mood takes me, make them noisey. 

 

DCC is as complicated as you make it but I am a firm believer in keeping it simple. 

 

Trust me, having made the quantum leap from DC to DCC,  that will not change. 

 

Rob. 

[Gilbert]

6 minutes ago, NHY 581 said:

Well, a resounding thumbs up all round for the Powercab. 

 

Rob. 

I see what you did there....

[Gilbert]

1 hour ago, Gilbert said:

One rather basic reason I like the Powercab - apart from the ease of simple programming (for me)  and the ability to use a stack of 6 locos with the recall button (for fellow operators who don't have to enter loco numbers) - is single handed use of a chunky bit of kit easy to hold in my dodgy left hand with thumb control while the more dexterous (sorry) right hand is available for other tasks such as the occasional contribution to uncoupling or drinking tea...

Chris

and furthermore I am sufficiently comfortable with that arragement I can (just about) keep something moving while conversing with any interested spectators - I operate from the front/side of my layouts and get frequent questions...

[John Besley]

 

Ok that has been all very usefully, I did and still do have a question topic on 'Help Needed ' DCC but this was getting swamped with too much tech at the mo....

 

So this has been a great way to gather feed back (sorry hijack your thread Sir Sheep) ill do some serious looking into NCE  Power cab, may well comeback with more questions.

 

I simply want a system that I can bolt other functions to in due time as and when Exhill Works Mk2 happens, in the first instance ned to get locos running

[NHY 581]

6 minutes ago, John Besley said:

 

Ok that has been all very usefully, I did and still do have a question topic on 'Help Needed ' DCC but this was getting swamped with too much tech at the mo....

 

So this has been a great way to gather feed back (sorry hijack your thread Sir Sheep) ill do some serious looking into NCE  Power cab, may well comeback with more questions.

 

I simply want a system that I can bolt other functions to in due time as and when Exhill Works Mk2 happens, in the first instance ned to get locos running

 

Glad it's helped, John. Amongst the contributors to this rambling thread,  there is a great deal of knowledge which everyone is only to happy to share. Crucially, due to our 'familiarity' with each other, I like to think there's more of a chatty, social nature on here. 

 

So, if anyone has a question, ask away. 

 

Rob. 

 

[John Besley]

Seeing as I live in the bottom end of the UK (Paignton) and there is a sparsity of dedicated model railway outlets here who would be the best supplier to dig into...?

[durham light infantry]

1 hour ago, John Besley said:

Seeing as I live in the bottom end of the UK (Paignton) and there is a sparsity of dedicated model railway outlets here who would be the best supplier to dig into...?

 

Either Coastal DCC or Digitrains for me. I use a Powercab too.

[RobAllen]

Thanks for all the comments about DCC controllers as I'm thinking about what to get too. Currently down to either the NCE PowerCab or Roko Z21.

[Gilbert]

If anyone is at the Weston Show on 14th January I'll be happy to show and tell with my Powercab set up - I'm there with Penmaenbach.

 

https://www.ukmodelshops.co.uk/event/y2024/25857-BurnhamandDistrictModelRailwayClub_Exhibition

 

Chris H

 

 

 

[PaulRhB]

9 minutes ago, RobAllen said:

Thanks for all the comments about DCC controllers as I'm thinking about what to get too. Currently down to either the NCE PowerCab or Roko Z21.

I started with LGB’s MTS and have gone through BachmannEZcommand, NCE Powercab, Z21 & Piko SmartControlLight plus used friends Gaugemaster Prodigies and NCE Procabs. 
Z21 is the best as it allows wifi and virtually limitless expansion and is pretty plug and play too. Of the ‘starter’ levels though the NCE Powercab still stands out as a class system despite its age. I got the Piko SmartcontrolLight because its controllers are also compatible with my Z21 so makes sense as a cheap and basic backup to that at shows. It offers a similar intuitive control and programming user friendliness to the Powercab with very slightly easier access to higher function numbers. Is it better than the Powercab? Not really the division is tiny and they both do the job very well so it really comes down to taste for the look and ergonomics of the handset. So overall the NCE is the ‘Ford Transit’ of DCC systems and in my overall top three despite being equal oldest to my first system!

[John Besley]

OK i've bit the bullet and ordered a NCE starter set from TMC - price is right and they offer ther services... so see how we go, one thing I will need to resolve is decoders including sound card, but seeing as all of my lococ are built around modified 00 running gear none of them have built in cards to plug and play - next hunt will be for 6 or 8 pin cards to fit 

 

Any ideas?

[woodenhead]

12 minutes ago, John Besley said:

OK i've bit the bullet and ordered a NCE starter set from TMC - price is right and they offer ther services... so see how we go, one thing I will need to resolve is decoders including sound card, but seeing as all of my lococ are built around modified 00 running gear none of them have built in cards to plug and play - next hunt will be for 6 or 8 pin cards to fit 

 

Any ideas?

 

My preference is zimo and a bog standard basic appears to be this for £25

https://www.digitrains.co.uk/shop-by-brand/zimo/non-sound-decoders/zimo-mx600r-motor-decoder.html

 

For sound something like this:

https://www.digitrains.co.uk/shop-by-brand/zimo/sound-decoders/8-pin-mini-sound-decoder-12425.html

[Gilbert]

33 minutes ago, John Besley said:

OK i've bit the bullet and ordered a NCE starter set from TMC - price is right and they offer ther services... so see how we go, one thing I will need to resolve is decoders including sound card, but seeing as all of my lococ are built around modified 00 running gear none of them have built in cards to plug and play - next hunt will be for 6 or 8 pin cards to fit 

 

Any ideas?

You can hard wire - sometimes the plugless decoders are cheaper...so.....red and black to the track..orange and grey... the other way....

[PaulRhB]

Yes I’d recommend Zimo standard or sound decoders, they are a sensible mid range price for a very consistent product, avoid saving a couple of quid for the cheapest decoders as they can have inconsistent motor control and other buggy quirks. Digitrains do some nice bundles for sound so well worth a chat by phone or email with them and they do some good videos too. I’ve also found Youchoos helpful too. 

[Geep7]

I've been using a PowerCab since around 2004, and not once have I felt the need to change system. I may, at some point, upgrade to the 5 Amp booster, just in case I built a larger layout in future, but so far the 2 Amp system is ample enough, even with half a dozen sound fitted locomotives on the go at once (not that I tend to have the sound turned on for more than 2 or 3 at the same time).