DCC for Dapol and Ixion Locomotives

QUOTE (David Baker @ 24 Sep 2008, 05:49) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi. I'm new here so first I'd like to say hello to everyone on this forum. Secondly I hope that I'm not repeating a question that has been asked in the past. I've had a quick look through the last 10 pages of the forum and also tried searching so hope I've not missed something. I know how annoying it is to have to repeatedly answer the same questions again and again. (Get that in my line of work, I'm a support assistant in a special school for children with autism by the way. I'm also reknown on forums for making posts longer than they need to be. Sorry. )

Right I'll get on with the issue at hand. I've recently purchased a number of Dapol and Ixion locos (though some haven't yet arrived):

Cookham Manor - Class 7800 'Manor' GWR 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive. (Ixion)
Evening Star - Class 9F BR 2-10-0 Steam Locomotive. (Dapol)
D7017 - Class 35 'Hymek' Bo-Bo Diesel Locomotive (with hydraulic transmission). (Dapol)
E6040 or 73136 (The Bluebell Railway?) - Class 73 Bo-Bo 3rd Rail / Diesel Locomotive. (Dapol)

Each of these come fitted as standard with a socket for a NEM 651 6pin DCC Chip. If possible I'd like to fit a chip that allows both fine motor control and realistic sound and would like some advice on what would be best. Other than the locos I don't presently have a layout setup or a DCC controller of any kind (I'd also need to purchase one) so am only limited in what is suitable by the locos themselves. One thing I could see myself wanting to do further down the line is to be able to run my DCC layout via a computer. Smoke, carrage lights, etc... would be interesting but I don't think I'm ready yet but future flexibility for such options might be worth planning for. As so far I seem to be aiming for locos that are preserved programmable DCC Sound chips may also be an interesting idea for as much realism as possible.

I also own two other locos but don't know how easy these would be to chip. These are:

5530 - Class 5101 GWR 2-6-2T Slope Tank Locomotive. (Dapol) [I don't know if this loco has a socket or not.]
Sir Nigel Gresley - A4 'Pacific' 4-6-2 Locomotive. (Minitrix)

Thank you for your help and assistance. All the best, David.

*** A big ask - not in the way of knowledge requested, but in what you hope to achieve in N scale.

Adding motor drive decoders to the loco's mentioned is possible but not all will be easy. I would recommend the TCS chip with 6 pin lead - small, good preformance and good price too. Several places stock TCS but I know Bromsgrove models do have stock in UK.

**Tender loco's with loco drive are generally no problem.
**tender loco's with tender drive are complex installs, often needing metal to be cut
**tank loco's can be awkward but are usually doable
**Diesels are usually OK but not always easy

**Sound in most of the locos mentioned will not be possible - there is a need for room that is not there

**Smoke is very difficult in N scale, space doesn't exist in most cases.

As to other things: You will have no problem as far as computer interfacing etc are concerned. There are several brands that allow this and are well supported by software. Carriage lights are also easy enough to achieve well.

Welcome to the furum.... and please don't hesitate to ask as many specific questions as you like.

regards

Richard

Hi David

Welcome to the forum

You probably should have posted this under the DCC forum but I'm sure the N gauge modellers will help regarding the best
and easiest DCC chips to fit in your Loco's

There is a section on DCC systems reviews Here

The Future prospect of integrating Computer with DCC control .Most systems have either an optional computer interface or have one built in. There are varying degrees of compatibility(and controllability ) between the Software available and the DCC systems

JMRI is a Java based system available for free (you can donate $ to help )

You will find info on compatibility of systems and the program Here

The most expensive but probably the most comprehensive software Is Railroad and Co
You will find info on compatibility of systems and the program Here
Their Programs will Integrate Sounds with the positions of running Loco's utilizing a 5.1 computer based sound system (4 speakers around the Layout and a Sub)

The System you choose will also depend on your personal choice, what looks and feels best for you
Some people prefer a small 1 hand operable control , Knob based or button based
Others a 2 hand unit like the ECoS
Best to try a few systems out to see what feels right for you and compare that with the compatibility of the software

There is also a Forum member working on Voice Command via computer software
this looks to be a great development you will find details Here

Hope this helps

Don't be afraid to Ask questions , no mater how basic (you should see some I have asked )
Someone will have a solution or two

Regards Zmil

Hi David and welcome to the MRF from a fellow N Gauger.

I too am awaiting delivery of 2 No. Ixions so cannot say for sure which chip will be most suitable.

As regards my existing locos most, including my Dapol 2-6-0 Prairie Tank, have the CT Elektronik chip which is small enough even for a little 0-6-0 Pannier and, using 128 step control, gives good slow running plus smooth acceleration and braking. There are very few N gauge locos which come with a 6 pin socket so most have to be hard wired. The only exception I have come across, apart from the Ixion locos, is the Peco Collett which comes with a pre-installed Lenz decoder. Not sure which one though.

As regards sound, I have decided to go with the Railroad & Co system which, while it may seem expensive, is actually no more than it would cost to put individual sound chips into 4 or 5 locos. The difference is that you are then able to add sound to as many locos as you are able to run at any one time and can even add other sound effects such as 'coupler/buffer clank' etc.

I also looked into the possibility of adding smoke and, while it is actually possible in some of the larger, tender driven locos, was concerned at the risk of the smoke generator burning out if not kept fuelled up. As far as I can tell, once they are installed there is no way of switching them off. You just have to keep on adding smoke oil ad infinitum.

As regards carriage lighting you need look no further than Richard Johnson's 'Flicker-free' lighting kits which are excellent pieces of equipment and reasonably easy to install.

Cheers for now and enjoy your modelling,

Expat.