[neil_s_wood]

Of course there is the DCC information at the top of this page.

DCC FAQ

The Roco Multi Maus is also worth considering as a budget system but as Gary says the information and DCC equipment from Hornby is aimed at absolute beginners and if you are starting out this may be the best idea. The starter sets are particularly good value as you get a loco, track and DCC controller.

 

[neil_s_wood]

I have the Roco Lokmaus 2 system. I bought it as part of a starter set a few years ago to try out DCC. It was a great starter system but I am now looking to move on to something bigger. I was seriously thinking about the Multimaus but decided that by the time I had bought all the addittional components to acheive what I wanted to I would be as well buying the Ecos, which is what I have decided to do after long deliberation. The Lokmaus and MultiMaus are both compatible with the Ecos so I can still use them. The Roco DCC starter sets are incredible value and the DCC system is a lot more advanced than the Hornby and Bachmann efforts. I would recomend it.

 

[neil_s_wood]

Absolutely. It's the budget DCC system of choice.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (Makemineadouble @ 1 Nov 2006, 04:40) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'd still be inclined to buy locally. Someone made the point that the manual is probably the second most important part of the kit. The third most important bit is a mate or dealer who can help you on the phone.
Almost everyone needs a helping hand now and again.

Same for Australia, the only locally available option in Melbourne I'm aware of is Digitrax and you would pay twice what you would from the states.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (Ozzie21 @ 1 Nov 2006, 09:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The last time I got a parcel from the States it cost US$36 to airmail it to Oz. It was fairly large a weighty parcel containing two BLI C&O 2-10-4's. Actually they were replacements for two that went missing and they just replaced them no charge. From the UK it's not to bad 14 pounds to get DJH kit from them to me.

Ozzie21
In my experience the cost of the savings far outweighs the postage costs.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE Any recommendations for our Scandenavian friend?From what I've seen he knows some of the best places to buy from. You soon learn when you live by mail order.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE (Agamemnon @ 1 Nov 2006, 23:26) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Aye, you can't go wrong with German online retailers. Modellbahn Kramm alone stocks almost everything one might conceivably want, with the exception of Lenz DCC equipment, IIRC.
Although if you ask them they will order items in for you. I asked if they could get me an ECos which is not listed on their site and they quoted me 500 euro before tax.

 

[neil_s_wood]

QUOTE As far as I'm concerned, the local model rail community can go stuff it, they're all a bunch of realism-junkies who make their own locos out of brass and such... :-( I guess what ever you do there are always some people who are going to be so superior to everyone else.

Personally I don't give a s

t what they think. My layout is where I get to have my things my way.