I am getting back in to railroading after a long hiatus. I have done N and HO, and decided to try an outdoor layout. I need to learn about DCC and other methods of train control, I never used it on my old layouts. Any recommendations on good sources of info on the electronics side would be much appreciated. Thanks for letting me play.
Hi from Michigan
- Thread starter BPACH
- Start date
idlemarvel
Neither idle nor a marvel
Hi there.
Welcome to the world of g-scale, where you are most welcome to play!
If you have not used DCC it is not required for g-scale layouts, some people find battery and radio control more suitable for the outdoors. The size of g-scale models give you plenty of room for electronics and batteries which you don't have in N gauge. I like DCC but my layout is indoors now. Just a thought.
Welcome to the world of g-scale, where you are most welcome to play!
If you have not used DCC it is not required for g-scale layouts, some people find battery and radio control more suitable for the outdoors. The size of g-scale models give you plenty of room for electronics and batteries which you don't have in N gauge. I like DCC but my layout is indoors now. Just a thought.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Or you can stick with good ole analogue DC control.
It's worth delving into the options, there's pluses and minuses everywhere
On the other hand, if you've decided that DCC is the direction that you want to go, there'll be plenty of help and advice on this forum
It's worth delving into the options, there's pluses and minuses everywhere
On the other hand, if you've decided that DCC is the direction that you want to go, there'll be plenty of help and advice on this forum
Welcome to the forum Brian. Control depends very much on what you intend to do. Is Operation your thing with Timetables, Wagon Cards and Waybills? If so then RC of one sort or a other would be your thing. Cetrainly if you are nit afraid if pulling things apart and competent with a soldering iron then Battery DCC could be your thing. Commonly called Dead Rail or OnBoard Power Supply in US you have quite a few ootions as a look into Garden Railways if you can find a copy will show you. Sadly the fall 2020 is the last one. Have a good look at some of the DCC and Battery threads on here and you may find some small amount of inspiration by the Vid and Build if my current line linked below. Good luck with your journey into another but rewarding world.
Welcome to the Forum Brian..
Don't jump too soon!
Perhaps a starter set (analogue, things can change later...) and perhaps a little more track, to add a little interest??
There is no reason you are not going to be able to run analogue outdoors, if you wish. - If that is what you know, then start there.
Don't be too ambitious from the get-go.. Start small (possibly an oval, that disappears behind a bush or two?) But do get 'something' down, and do have fun!
PhilP.
Don't jump too soon!
Perhaps a starter set (analogue, things can change later...) and perhaps a little more track, to add a little interest??
There is no reason you are not going to be able to run analogue outdoors, if you wish. - If that is what you know, then start there.
Don't be too ambitious from the get-go.. Start small (possibly an oval, that disappears behind a bush or two?) But do get 'something' down, and do have fun!
PhilP.
Greg Elmassian
Guest
If I may recommend some reading:
elmassian.com
note the links on the bottom of the page, quite a number of things here.
You also might want to read about track choice for DCC outdoors:
elmassian.com
There are about 750 pages on trains available
DCC
Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
note the links on the bottom of the page, quite a number of things here.
You also might want to read about track choice for DCC outdoors:
Track & Rail Material
Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
There are about 750 pages on trains available
korm kormsen
Registered
welcome!
maybe this link could be helpfull: Large Scale Tech Tips
this guy posted, what he did, not what others did or thought to do.
maybe this link could be helpfull: Large Scale Tech Tips
this guy posted, what he did, not what others did or thought to do.
Gavin Sowry
Garden Railroader and Raconteur
I'll third that.
When installing a garden/outdoor railroad there are some choices to make about raised up form the ground, or on the ground. If on the ground, I use a trench lined with weed block (keeps ballast from mixing with the dirt), filled with ballast (Mine was 1/4 inch gravel mixed with stone dust). THen is track power either DC or DCC, Battery, or live steam. Lots of decisions here and I strongly suggest you find a club and join in meets to see what others have done. I started with ground operation and DC power. I still have the ground RR, but added DCC and I can switch between both methods.
So in summary, try to determine what you want to run and how to do it.
So in summary, try to determine what you want to run and how to do it.
Thank you, that is the best source of information I have found yet.If I may recommend some reading:
DCC
Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
note the links on the bottom of the page, quite a number of things here.
You also might want to read about track choice for DCC outdoors:
Track & Rail Material
Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers
There are about 750 pages on trains available
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Yeah, it's a bit like buying your first computer - if you knew then what you do now 
But the best advice is to think it through - I know what I'm like, so I built my railroad to deal with my impatience and laziness
But the best advice is to think it through - I know what I'm like, so I built my railroad to deal with my impatience and laziness