LGB Mikado with SNDTX-884009 decoder

Thanks for all the input here, I really appreciate it.
I have looked up the local RR clubs; all HO and one Live Steamers, looks to be about 12" wide tracks. (don't know what gauge that would be). I will try to contact them to see what they
run.
One local hobby shop advertises trains but not much in G gauge; mostly O, O-27, HO, N & Z. I have spoken to one fellow there about the trains. A really nice guy but not much help.
Perhaps I will try again today. See what I can see.
 
No contacts were able to be made today so I cut the material for a new 35" covered bridge. Will start construction this week.

One question keeps popping into my little pea brain; do they make a complete DCC system that can be purchased all at once? It seems that the companies that
make, offer, sell DCC systems break it up into parts of the system. I was advised to not purchase a "starter" system because it would cost more at a later date to
upgrade than to buy a complete system in the beginning.

I guess what I am asking is "What would you buy now?"

Is it okay here to post phone numbers to call/talk to someone rather than post here? Too many questions that need to have the answers discussed
so I can make a more informed decision.

Burl
 
PCBN Rwy said:
Is it okay here to post phone numbers to call/talk to someone rather than post here? Too many questions that need to have the answers discussed
so I can make a more informed decision.
Click to expand...

Burl,
You have made the request, and probably better to see if a PM (old-speak, Personal Message) 'Conversations' is the new parlance is this software.. appears.
Also, would be better if someone your side of the pond answered.. The language may be common, but from over here you would get Massoth pushed, which may well not be the right choice for the USA/Alaska.
We tend to use slightly different terms for things as well. No point adding more confusion, when you are just starting out.
 
Burl, first, your local HO club will most likely be DCC, so you could get some exposure there.

There is a ton of material on the internet about all of this, and I get hundreds of emails a month (my web site has over 2 million hits), which I try to answer, but I have little extra bandwidth for phone calls.

You asked why I switched from NCE to Zimo, and it is indeed on my site, perhaps you did not read the Zimo section, or my section on my layout development. In short I was running trains that pulled 10 amps continuously, which was at the limit of the NCE system. Also to correct something Dan stated, the NCE 10 amp system has adjustable output, comes set at 16, will adjust up to about 21 volts, but I wanted the full 24, which the Zimo gave me. Also the Zimo gives me up to 20 amps with a superior overcurrent sensing system, really needed, because most system will pump 10 amps all day, into a short in your loco and melt things.... it's a complex subject that many people do not understand. Again all of this is on my site, so I won't repeat everything there, that's why it's written down!

I know you, like everyone, wants a simple and clear answer to the age old questions of battery vs track power, DCC vs analog.... there are MANY factors, and you should take your time to make your decision.

Greg
 
Philip, thank you for the kind words; this site is has so many different people/countries involved I am still trying to get used to who is from where. But that is also what makes it
interesting. It just goes to show that there is more than one way to do the same thing;..........TRAINS!!!

Regards,

Burl
 
Greg, I guess I did miss the part on layout development; sorry.

I did finally decide on the NCE PH-PRO 5amp Starter set and the P515 power supply. That is about all the budget would allow for now. I know you are not partial to "starter" sets but........
Anyway, at least I can get going in the DCC world. I wish I could have gone to the 10A wireless but just too big a jump. Maybe later or upgrade if it is possible. One step at a time.

I did find a fellow here in Alaska that runs G gauge. He is running Revolution (?). I don't recall that one. He says he has lots of control with it. He wasn't too hot on battery power. He also said that aluminum track up here will start "flaking off". The only thing that could, in my mind, cause that is that we have a lot of volcanic ash mixed in the already fine glacial sill that is mixed into the soil.

The ash, when viewed through a 10X lens shows the "dust" as actual shards of glass; extremely abrasive. Planes that fly through the volcanic cloud will lose paint off the aircraft skins. Doesn't do the engines any good either. According to the smart people, one teaspoon ingested into an automobile engine will completely destroy the rings and bearings.

Turns out he and I are the only ones in this area (South Central Alaska [Anchorage]) that are running G gauge. He stated that there is a fellow in Copper Center in Central Interior Alaska, about 250+ miles North from Anchorage, that is running G gauge. Other than that; we're it!

He said he would be happy to come help any time when we get going on the outdoor layout and offered some insight on garden railway building in Alaska. Some really important Do's and Don't s.

If you have any thoughts to add here, I would appreciate it. I will go back and read your website more closely. Obviously lots more to learn.

Regards.

Burl
 
Glad to be of (some) help, Burl.. :)

it will be interesting to see how your line develops, and insights on coping with the climate, in your part of the world, will be interesting.

Enjoy!
PhilP.
 
Okay, I will save everyone some time here. Yes, I made another mistake; missed the importance of the constant 10A thing. (it's good thing all my pencils still have erasers)

I am returning the NCE 5A and got the NCE PH 10 R wireless system and the Brutus 10 amp 18 VAC output/120 VAC input Transformer . I spoke with NCE, very nice folks by the way, and they helped me understand a lot better what I was going to need.

Hopefully now I can concentrate on the actual layout requirements, i.e., track, turnouts, grades to be dealt with, etc.

Burl
 
Success! The NCE 10R system showed up 2 days ago and I finally got the Mikado up and running. I just thought I liked trains before; now I am hooked! This is better than I hoped for. Now
I have a new MTH UP Big Boy, a new Accucraft SP F5, No. 3765 and a used SP Challenger to program. If anyone has any pointers out there I am all eyes and ears. I need to learn a lot yet.
Thanks to all that have been a great help getting me going.

Burl
 
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