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Model railway control and power equipment
These days there are essentially two ways to control and power
model trains.
The first is the traditional `DC' system, where a variable DC
voltage is applied to the track. The second is the more modern
`Digital Command Control' system, where the track carries AC
power on which digital control signals are impressed.
Each system has advantages and disadvantages, summarised in the
table below.
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DC
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DCC
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Point of control
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Track
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Locomotive (via DCC decoder)
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Track wiring
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Separate supplies for different sections;
switching by points, etc. Wiring can
be complex
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All track is supplied from the same power unit.
Wiring generally simple
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Number of controllers
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One per train that can be run independently
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One, perhaps with boosters for large layouts
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Track voltage
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0-12 V DC
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Fixed AC, usually 16V
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Train direction control
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Track polarity
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Controlled digitally
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Initial expense
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Low: one DC controller
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Generally high: specialized
digital controller
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Incremental expense
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One additional DC controller for
each train that can be run independently.
Wiring modifications may be required
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One additional decoder per train. No
wiring modifications.
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Accessory control
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Separate circuits
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Integrated with train control
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In short, the traditional system controls the track; it controls
trains only by virtue of their beyond on particular sections of
track. The DCC system controls locomotives via a decoder. There
is no practical limit to the number of trains that can be
run on the same track, without modifying the wiring, except the
space on the layout.
The main problems with DCC are the high initial cost (expect to
pay at least £200), plus the complication of fitting a decoder
in each locomotive. Decoder prices start at abou £15, but can
be time-consuming to install and test. A certain amount of
tweaking will be required to get optimal performance.
Our layout uses DCC control. All DCC equipment is from
ZTC Controls which
is, as far as I know, the only UK manufacturer of such systems.
It is also possible to get equipment from Roco and Lenz, via
importers.
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