I am as new as can be should Imstart with DC or start with DCC Please advise

[njee20]

It's a self deprecating joke, that is indeed Nobby's point!

[Newportnobby]

@Nick
Fret not. I find it difficult to be serious about much at my point in life and it does confuse folks/get me into trouble quite often

[GordonW]

Hello everyone

I have read all your comments and realised that I was trying to run before I could walk. It was if I wanted instant model railway up and running with no effort.

I decided earlier that I would go down the dcc route so next it seemed the right to do would be to start with a very simple setup on dcc. temporarily forgetting all about electrically operated points and the like. This would allow me to gain experience.

next what about a controller? One that would do all for the moment but would also do points etc later.  The one I thought about was the gaugemaster Advance prodigy 2, which as it stands will not operate the points but would do so later when I am ready with addition of o extra power supply.

Any thoughts anybody

Regards
Gordon

[ntpntpntp]

...next what about a [DCC] controller? One that would do all for the moment but would also do points etc later.  The one I thought about was the gaugemaster Advance prodigy 2, which as it stands will not operate the points but would do so later when I am ready with addition of o extra power supply.

Hi Gordon, this is a question for which you'll always get different answers based on people's own experience and preferences.  There are different designs/style of interface: for example do you like a physical controller with knobs and buttons, or do you like the idea of control via touchscreen phone/tablet?  Definitely try and get to a shop or a show stand with a trader who has different systems set up to try.

Personally I prefer knobs and buttons so would suggest the NCE PowerCab, as a starting point. It's a good starter system with many users and has been around long enough to be "proven".  It will operate accessory decoders for points. Later on you can move up to a more powerful NCE system and use the PowerCab as a second throttle on that system.  That's what I do: we use the PowerCab for my lad's small HOe narrow gauge line, and hook it into my 10 amp PowerPro system for my garden line.

[Nick]

I have read all your comments and realised that I was trying to run before I could walk. It was if I wanted instant model railway up and running with no effort.

I did wonder... The one indispensable ingredient in building a model railway yourself is effort. The quantities needed should not be underestimated!  Commitment is another biggie.

You really need someone with experience of various different controllers. If I was looking as you are, I think I'd be considering the Prodigy Advance, the NCE Powercab (which I seem to see in exhibitions a lot) or the Digitrax Zephyr Extra (which I like the look of because it actually has knobs to twiddle!  )

But I don't have practical experience of any of them.

[petejones]

next what about a controller? One that would do all for the moment but would also do points etc later.  The one I thought about was the gaugemaster Advance prodigy 2, which as it stands will not operate the points but would do so later when I am ready with addition of o extra power supply.

I went for a Prodigy Express, good value at £124 from Hattons when I bought it last year.

Pete