Brand NEW

J

Jono

I'm New, Please Be Gentle
Ok. Here goes. BRAND NEW to large scale. Long time ago I used to run analogue HO.. .. Anyways. I will be building up a 45mm Track outside, in Ireland. Hopefully starting to build by the end of the year. In the mean-time, I need to start acquiring gear. I know i want to end up with a DCC system for locos, points, uncouplers (probably) and some other things. I would like some advise on what things to avoid and what sort of things are / are not compatible. I will be starting with as much used equivalent to start mismatched stuff will end up costing even more than new i guess. I am finding all the DCC stuff rather confusing regarding requirements vs recommended stuff. Expandabilty is a must (power to more locos - more stuff to be controlled, longer track etc). PC controll at the end would be nice, but not a requirement. Is feedback as to loco physical location possible ? I Believe points position is. I know i could be starting with some manual points to add motors later ...

Any help would be appreciated.

Where can I find out where any G-Scale operators are in Ireland ?

Thanks all

Jonathan
 
Upgrading power in dcc is fairly easy as you can add boosters to upgrade the size of the layout and power consumption. Massoth is very popular here but there are loads of dcc systems available that offer more of what you mention.
PC control is available as software for controlling existing systems so pick a system with a PC interface. Decoder Pro offer a free system if share ware or Railroad& co offer a very comprehensive system if you want full automation.
Systems, there's the aforementioned Massoth which is designed specifically for G and very reliable but pricey. Cheaper options are Digitrax, NCE, Piko, ESU and Rocos Z21 amongst others. These systems are widely supported by various UK shops. I use a 2.5amp Z21 capable of driving 2-3 G locos on its own but I've added an 8 amp booster to the output and can run over ten locos with sound. If the layout gets bigger then you can split the layout into sections and supply each one by a seperate booster. Splitting the supply to several boosters means you can supply lower power in several places rather than one big power supply. The advantage is that short circuits don't stop the whole layout, less amps that can do damage during a short, (big amps can burn out wires, fishplates or decoders) and it's cheaper to gradually build up to the capacity you want plus if anything significant does fail in a few years outside warrantee you might spend £200-300 rather than £800-1200 to get the system going again ;)
Browse the dcc sections and ask lots of questions ;)
 
Welcome to the forum Jono.

I started in DCC by buying a second hand system, like an MTS 2 or 3, for around £300. I experimented with PC control and had LGB and TL points operating digitally.

There is a market for 2nd hand LGB DCC should you upgrade to a Massoth system, which cost around £1200 new? There are other cheaper systems made by PIKO and a newer Marklin DCC system for LGB, but I am not familiar with these?

Of course, with you being in Ireland, you will be buying in Euros and the exchange rate isn't in your favour if buying from the UK, so you would be better buying from Germany/Europe.

I believe that there are only 2 G scalers from Ireland on the forum, but afaik, only Trammayo (Mick) is a regular poster, and he doesn't use DCC....
 
Hi

I too am new to the G arena, decided mid last year and started off with a Piko starter set (not DCC)[emoji20]. Then looked into DCC and saw PaulRhB comments about the Roco Z21 and have convinced myself that is the way forward. Not yet purchased, as have been stocking up track and points after finalising outside layout design, sadly garden a bit sloppy. Anyways, have started on the ground but will be getting so lots of electrics soon. Have a neighbour (sparky) who is going to wire in my "she'd" over next weeks. Starting to get lot more excited and hope to post some photos of progress soon. PaulRhB, thanks for all comments here and other forums especially the z21 reviews. Only comment to all, search around for best prices and not always buy brand new. Cost savings!

Alex (MBRR)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Welcome Jono and Alex.

As Gizzy says, I don't use digital. With hindsight, maybe I should I have made provision for it! I have a mixed bag of locos so some might not be easy to convert.

You're always welcome Jono - as is anybody else -to have a look at a totally manually controlled railway/s (I have two). We are not too far from Ballina.
 
If you are starting from scratch or thinking of upgrading, there is a new system soon to be released by PIKO called SmartControl that looks very interesting.

Website
http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=warengruppe&vw_id=287

Brochure PDF
http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=1&vw_name=download&vw_id=13136

It is based on products from ESU so it should work reliably. It is very much geared towards computer control and automation with built in WiFi and a detection system called RailCom developed by Lenz another long established DCC manufacturer.

I think the price is expected to be less than £300 so good value as well.
 
I agree that RailCom is interesting but it requires support in decoders, and most don't have it. No LGB or Massoth decoders have it to my knowledge.

Feedback via detecting a train in a section of track is possible with almost any system, and works with any decoder, but only RailCom (or Digitrax Transponding) would tell you which train it was. However most railway control software can work out for itself which train is where and so the facility for hardware reporting of train id is not really required.

I know I'm biased because I use the system but I do like the Lenz system. One of the reason for that is it is possible to start off with a 5Amp system (LVZ101), and then increase it to a 10A system (+LV102) WITHOUT having to use power districts which require breaks in the rails or throw anything away. It can also support extra power via power districts as well.

The Lenz system is not good for untethered handsets, although it is possible to use a Massoth Navi with it and the Massoth Multi Receiver. Also it is possible to use a smartphone/tablet with extra routers, software and stuff. I use the XPA system with cordless phones but that is only available second hand now.

Because Lenz is popular in the smaller scales it is often possible to pick up cheap second hand units for not much. Compared to some systems the new price is quite good too.

I'm sure you will get many opinions from different people, listen then decide what is best for you.
 
Wow, ok.

A lot to digest and translate into what is going on in my head.

What I have gleamed so far is this:

Probably a good idea to start with a up-to-date "controll station" Is what I had thought I would have to do anyway. MTS III probably not a good start as I wish to be able to expand later without having to replace gear. As I will be (almost defiantly) buying used Locos, I must add the price of compatible decoders. I do see that as long as the decoders are code compliant they should work, but the forums are full of people having difficulties, especially with consists and different speed steps in various decoders.

And as usual, another headache for me. The Piko set linked to above is rated at 16V at 2 1/4A .. And it was my understanding that track powered G-Scale runs in the 20 to 22V realm. .. . But otherwise it looks great. I know i will have to learn and accept touch screens, although they do not like me.

Everything is going to take time to get going, I know this.

One of biggest fears is getting some 2nd hand gear that works well enough to begin with. Then have to change it all (or some) out when I want more from the system. Maybe I will just concentrate on getting 2nd hand rolling stock / track for now. Then worry about the controll system when the boss actually lets me start digging up the yard. I have grand plans. Hopefully some of them will come to full fruition. :D
 
trammayo said:
Welcome Jono and Alex.

As Gizzy says, I don't use digital. With hindsight, maybe I should I have made provision for it! I have a mixed bag of locos so some might not be easy to convert.

You're always welcome Jono - as is anybody else -to have a look at a totally manually controlled railway/s (I have two). We are not too far from Ballina.
Click to expand...
That would be brilliant ! Thank You
I will try to send the boss over to you (with your permission of course) once they are over there. I will need their approval if I am going to achieve anything close to what I want in a shortish period of time. We will be moving close to Gorteen, Sligo, so not so far from you.

I loved my analogue HO Sets. May still end up stating that way, looking at the prices of things ... Will just have to get very clever with wiring everything. BUT DCC still seems to be the way forward for multi trains
 
Gardenbahner said:
If you are starting from scratch or thinking of upgrading, there is a new system soon to be released by PIKO called SmartControl that looks very interesting.

Website
http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=warengruppe&vw_id=287

Brochure PDF
http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=1&vw_name=download&vw_id=13136

It is based on products from ESU so it should work reliably. It is very much geared towards computer control and automation with built in WiFi and a detection system called RailCom developed by Lenz another long established DCC manufacturer.

I think the price is expected to be less than £300 so good value as well.
Click to expand...

This looks GREAT. UUmmm.. But I must be missing something... .. Output is rated at 16V 2 ,25A ... ... Or I am I misunderstanding something here ?
 
Jono said:
This looks GREAT. UUmmm.. But I must be missing something... .. Output is rated at 16V 2 ,25A ... ... Or I am I misunderstanding something here ?
Click to expand...

At present, the SmartControl looks like it's mainly intended for indoor use with HO and smaller..... but given Piko's investment in G scale it's quite likely that they will have a large-scale higher voltage version available at some point.

Jon.
 
Jono said:
This looks GREAT. UUmmm.. But I must be missing something... .. Output is rated at 16V 2 ,25A ... ... Or I am I misunderstanding something here ?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately it's all a bit vague concerning the actual voltage output. The description says "built in booster up to 5 amps" but nothing about the voltage. It also says it's adjustable. I think what you're referring is the power supply included in the HO sets which looks like a small plug-in type.
If you look at the section about the actual SmartBox (page 4) it shows a different laptop type power supply. These are normally 18-20v and would be more suitable. Bear in mind it's not been released yet so we will have to wait see. But It looks very promising.
 
using DCC is a learning curve. You have ideas to use all the functions in the fullness of time. How ever, it might be best to jump in and get some experience first, maybe with secondhand kit. Its always been resell-able.
At the end of the day - its a computer - and we all know how quickly things develop there.
 
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