Hi from a new member.

steve wilson · March 17, 2013, 09:52:56 PM

Hello everyone

My name is Steve. Im new to the forum and returning to the hobby after a few (three at least) decades away. My old layout was a Lima based OO.

Im currently trying to get my head round all the new technologies in the hobby, wheich really appeal to the techno geek inside of me. Space is an issue for me, that is why I have decided to look at N as opposed to OO.

My plans are to aquire a DCC started set. The Graham Farish Digital Communter set looks good to me. From there I plan an expansion pack of track and then looking about on the second hand market, ebay and shows to grow my layout further.

I will probably bombard the forum with a selection of dumb 'newb' questions. For which I apologise. My oid grey matter isnt as sharp as it used to be. Decades of taking high tackles, loud music and the odd drinkie or two have taken their toll.

So to start the ball rolling, can you help me please. With a DCC layout, do I have to worry about the positioning of points to ensure that electric flows fully throughout my layout? I seemed to remember that if I lay points out unevenly on my very old OO layout then after a certain point the electricity would not flow.

Thanks for looking and hopefully helping.

Steve.

OwL · March 17, 2013, 09:57:24 PM

&

EtchedPixels · March 17, 2013, 10:03:32 PM

Quote from: steve wilson on March 17, 2013, 09:52:56 PM
So to start the ball rolling, can you help me please. With a DCC layout, do I have to worry about the positioning of points to ensure that electric flows fully throughout my layout?

Depends where you feed the power. There is nothing stopping you feeding power in multiple places with DC or DCC. In the DC cases you often want switches so you can control which sections get power, and in the DCC case you don't (but it can be really useful having them so you can find faults easily!)

Alan

Sprintex · March 17, 2013, 10:10:11 PM

Welcome in Steve

Don't worry about asking questions on here, no such thing as a stupid question just one you don't know the answer to yet

With DCC it's better if you have more than one connection to the track anyway, as it saves relying too much on point-blade contact and rail-joiners to carry the digital signal. This wouldn't be an issue with a starter set, but as you add more loops or sidings it will. The setrack points will only allow current flow along the line it is switched to, so if your points get too complex then yes you will run into the same problems. The usual way of dealing with this in DCC is to add extra feeds to loops and sidings so that all track is live all the time

Paul

longbridge · March 17, 2013, 10:18:19 PM

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum, have fun with the new technology in the hobby

its oldies like me that cant be bothered with it

Geoff · March 17, 2013, 10:24:32 PM

Hi Steve welcome to this superb forum loads of info here and any questions to ask then fire away.

scotsoft · March 18, 2013, 12:17:38 AM

Hello Steve and welcome to

We are a friendly bunch who are always willing to answer questions and help out folk starting off in this great hobby of ours, so feel free to ask as many questions as you like. I can assure you no one will belittle you for asking a question.

cheers John.

Pengi · March 18, 2013, 06:07:48 AM

Steve

Newportnobby · March 18, 2013, 09:20:59 AM

Hi Steve, and welcome to the forum

Jerry Howlett · March 20, 2013, 09:17:06 PM

Welcome Steve , from someone who has only transgressed from clockwork to electrickery in the last 50 years. There are lots of DCC peeps on here who will be more than willing to divulge their collective knowledge.

steve wilson · March 23, 2013, 07:18:05 AM

Thanks for your replies everyone. I took the plunge and bought myself the Graham Farish Digital commuter set with the Peco track expansion pack. A few days ago I had a second splurge on the Graham farish DMU, who nice little daipol wagons and a little bit more track. I still have not had a chance to run the DMU as yet because I have been busy clearing snow.

Thanks for reading.

Steve

OwL · March 23, 2013, 07:56:33 AM

3-4 inches in Birmingham currently and still Snowing! Glad i dont have to go to work!!!

Newportnobby · March 23, 2013, 08:25:39 AM

Quote from: OwL on March 23, 2013, 07:56:33 AM
3-4 inches in Birmingham currently and still Snowing! Glad i dont have to go to work!!!

No snow in Valetta though, Dave

Jerry Howlett · March 23, 2013, 09:07:34 AM

Sun shining here as well but not exactly "T"shirt weather this time last year we were eating outside. Strange stuff this weather.