Beginners guide to command control and dcc national model. For all dcc, selectrix and loconet compatible decoder and devices. N scale dcc products n scale model trains fifer hobby supply. Fremo dcc this project is a collection of software and embedded system designs that are developed for controli.
The leading software for model railroad computer control. Learn all about digital command control dcc with the model railroader staff. The command station then takes this information, transforms it into a stream of digital code and sends it to the booster. My experience so far leads me to digitrax dcc for my own layout. Atrack supports the full range of features defined in the dcc standards and recommended practices issued by the national model railroad association and, with the addition of a hardware interface box the dcc interface unit or diu to link the computer to the track, and a set of handheld controllers plugged into a network of sockets wired. Beginners guide to command control and dcc national. Passionate with model train, coupling with taiwans solid ability in producing high quality electronic product, ane model is committed to develop top quality model train, advanced control system and variety of accessories. Other software, allows for train control and acts like a cab throttle. Because of its broad range of features traincontroller is perfectly suited for beginners and professional model railroaders. Choosing a decoder for model trains and accessories. Digital command control in 1994, the nmra began an effort to establish a uniform standard for command control that would allow many manufacturers to build dcc equipment that would interoperate with each other. Digital command control dcc is a standard for a system to operate model railways digitally. Loizeau published by allt om hobby in association with the national model railroad association.
Nov 04, 2014 although this video will be too basic for advanced dcc model railroaders, it should be of help to beginners who often struggle to understand railroading terminology. Welcome to dcc train automation the first stop on your journey to model railway digital control solutions. The crandic automated traffic system cats is a jmribased application by rodney black for controlling and operating a model railroad. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Dcc support integrated support for nmra standard digital command control. We are all model railroaders ourselves with decades of experience. In this article the term channel used by command control systems would be equivalent to digital command controls concept of addresses. Xtrackcad is a great, free tool for designing your layout, developed by a group of model railroaders. Control software an overview of our model railroad control software. At tonys trains we carry some of the top products from the top brands on the market for digital command controllers. Apr 09, 2015 i have been in n scale model railroading for 48 years.
Third party software cti model railroad computer control. I have 108 locomotives in my roster, many of which are more than 45 years old. With traincontroller, we offer worldclass software for model railroad computer control. We specialize in todays latest digital command control systems with sound. The scale designations of the decoder can be a good clue. Nce 524025 power cab complete dcc starter set with power supply. The dcc protocol is defined by the digital command control working group of the national model railroad association nmra.
With powerful and easytolearn editing tools, even inexperienced. Willis hobbies has been in the model train business since 1949. You can always build a block control system, but as your layout grows, this. The jmri project is building tools for model railroad computer control. Model railroader is the worlds largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. Jun 26, 2015 model railroader is the worlds largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. Nce manufacturer of dcc electronics for model railroading. Dcctrain for dcc digital command control dcc trains lenz. During the development of the automatic dcc train operation of my layout, we are using the following software. Check their ads in the model railroad press for a list of dcc retailers near you.
Digital command control resources for model railroaders. Traincontroller is characterized by particularly simple and effective use as well as secure operation. You can always build a block control system, but as your layout grows, this can become very. Ho, n, o, and g scale dcc sound decoder installation. All software is scale independent, internet enabled and supports all popular command stations. Dcc voltages the voltage of a dcc system matters, not simply because it is what drives a train, but because there is a range of possible values, and the track voltage is essentially passed directly to the motor or accessories by the decoder with a small amount of loss and manipulation. Catalog our product line, price list, and ordering information. In video 1 from model railroad techniques is the first in series of how. Model railroad computer control with traincontroller. I maintain them, but not all locomotives can be converted to dcc.
Traincontroller is the worldclass software for controlling model railroads with a computer. This has been a great success and has made a great deal of affordable command control systems available to the model railroad community. Anemodel dcctrain for dcc digital command control dcc. Nce 524007 ph10r power house pro 10 amp starter system with radio. Model railroad electronics and control featuring a windows software application to complement nce dcc systems, and a. Train inventory software model railroader magazine model. Whether you are a new hobbyist or experienced we have the knowledge and expertise to help you find products to suit your needs. Installing dcc on your layout doesnt have to be intimidating.
At the very basic level, all that is needed is two wires run to the track. I also recommend buying a book such as digital command control, the comprehensive guide to dcc by s. Older and openframe motors will have a higher current draw than todays can motor, and some models may have more than one motor. The july 2019 issue of model railroader magazine features a buyers guide for digital command control dcc starter. This software allows you to create and customize your very own layout, view it as a 3d model and then generate a shopping list to make your dream layout a reality. Jmri from the java model railroad interface project. The digitrax complete train control system is our answer for model railroaders who want to enjoy the excitement of the. All the software runs on a pc with xp, and all of this software has been used successfully and reliably. Atlas track planning software atlas model railroad. Keepalive, current keeper, and stay alive installation. Dcctrain offers ideas and information for dcc trains. Dcc model trains and railroads for beginners tutorial youtube. Works on dcc or dc limited operation on dc works with nmra loco, accessory or signal addressing builtin warm white led can be disabled.
Works on dcc or dc limited operation on dc works with nmra loco, accessory or signal addressing builtin warm white led can be disabled up to 3 outputs leds may be controlled separately builtin resistors just connect leds can function as an nmra signal decoder each output individually dimmable. Ring engineering rpk1 railpro starter kit with wireless color touch screen. Installation of decoders, services, dealer lenz digital plus, zimo, atlas, soundtraxx, marklin. You however need to be realistic in terms of what to expect from. A beginners guide to decoders, dcc systems, and layout wiring paperback april 1, 2011. With steves guidance, youll wire your layout for digital command control in no time. See more ideas about model trains, model railroad, model. Sep 04, 2016 a tutorial into the basics of dcc layout control using itrain and the roco z21 departure boards.
How to use model railway software to make operation of your dcc. Jmri supports a wide range of dcc systems, command stations and protocols. The first time we ran a digital command control system we knew we couldnt live without one but, we couldnt afford it either. Train tools software has been producing professional model railroad software since 1991.
The digitrax complete train control system brings fun and realism to model railroading. Offering a large selection of z, n, ho and o scale trains at discounted prices. Dcc decoders for model trains for sale online tonys trains. During the development of the automatic dcc train operation of my layout, we are using the. If youre looking for an easy to follow tutorial on installing dcc and wiring your layout, then dcc expert steve barkleys got you covered. Get a decoder that is rated for the amperage draw of the model.
If youre interested in dcc decoders for locomotives and model trains, youve come to the right place. A variety of options for both beginners and professional model railroaders in equal measure. Unlike dcc, the channels used by a command control system were often fixed, usually at time of manufacture. How to use model railway software to make operation of your dcc layout easier. Digitoys systems produced software called winlok for running and configuring dcc. Dcc working group organization the nmra dcc working group is a collaboration of modellers and dcc manufacturers working together for the benefit of all concerned.
Simple and effective operation with the latest windows interfaces. This works ok for one train, but what if you want to control two or three. With digital command control dcc you use a controller also called cabs or throttles to send information to a command station telling it what you want train x to do. This is a victory for jmri and opensource software in general. When equipped with digital command control, locomotives on the same electrical section of track can be independently controlled. A tutorial into the basics of dcc layout control using itrain and the roco z21 departure boards. Digitrax is a full time professional company dedicated to bringing superior engineering, quality and affordability to model railroaders everywhere. An introduction to dcc and overview of model railway control we hope that you find this information useful. Using the loconet network and the many devices that work together.