Digital or Analogue Control?

[Masbroughlad]

I now have some space to build my OO layout. Can't wait to get started......

Had a layout many years ago, in the days before digital.

I have been collecting over the last few months and all my new stuff is DCC Ready. I have two analogue controllers and a hornby set with all the added track packs plus a bit more. Going to do my own plan though.

How easy is Digital to set up? Is it loads more work and wiring than analogue control.

Tempted to stick to what I know but don't want to waste the opportunity just because I am a bit nervous about going digital!

What do you think/advise?

Do you need to buy extra gear for digital points, lights, signals etc? Is it one gadget type does everything or does each have its own associated widget?

Sorry, lots of basic questions here.....!!

All help and advice is appreciated!

 

[455driver]

Digital is far easier to set up as there are no section breaks or switches involved which you need for analog control, all you need to do is ensure that all track is live at all times so the wiring effectively does the opposite to an analog set up.
If all your stock is DCC ready then that is what you should start with, of course which DCC set up you go for is up to you but i would recommend doing lots of research so you get the right one first time rather than have to upgrade later at great expense.

With the signals and points yes you can fit them with chips and control them but you don't have too, just like you don't have to on analog set ups, on DCC you can just do the track and leave everything else manual, have the same sort of controls as you would on analog or include everything through the DCC controller (or laptop).

The only extra bit you would need on DCC is a separate programming track which only needs to be a few straight sections long.
The only limiting things on DCC are your knowledge, expectations and money, but that's the same whatever set up you have.
Oh I am firmly an analog man but if I was starting out now it would be DCC.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have just restarted and have gone analog for the time being, it's a bit cheaper, but I may go digital in the future.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Digital is obviously much easier to start using if you have very little stock to convert. The cost of a decoder for each loco purchase is not as obvious if you buy as you go, but do you really need it? Just as you'd need to decide what controller to have, you'd have to decide if DCC is actually worth having in the first place. You might want it if:

• You want to independently control multiple trains on one piece of track.
• You want the train lights on all the time.
• You have two or more loops running two or more trains at once.
• You like the idea of having sound on your models.
• You are likely to have any of the above in the future.

A small word of warning though, stock labelled as DCC Ready will have a DCC decoder socket, but it doesn't mean it is easy to fit a decoder (I'm especially thinking of the Realtrack Class 144 DMU here)