[LostInHoboken]

Last night I was running my nice little Erie freight train (FA-1 with seven tank cars and a caboose) around my 4x8 oval of track, and it was such a nostalgic experience for me, just like when I did the same thing as a teen in the 60s.

It got me to wondering - does anybody still run their HO trains the old-school way, that is with just a power pack, or does everyone in the hobby today have that complicated DCC stuff?

I figured other folks with tiny layouts like mine might still be running “old-school”? Anyways, it still gives me the thrill.

LIH

 

[Fire21]

Hey Lost, first thing is that DCC isn't complicated. It's easier than DC IF you have more than just an oval. With an oval it's equally simple in both DC and DCC.

Second, there are a number of folks here who run plain DC in all the scales. I'm sure some will chime in here.

Third, you have a very nice layout there! :appl:

 

[MichaelE]

Complicated DCC stuff?

What's complicated is having a DC layout with more blocks than Lego set and all of the switches to go with it.

Not to mention the miles of wiring to tie it all together. Oh, and don't forget the spaggetti bowl of wire for all of the turnouts too.

But no, I don't use analog DC anymore. I like being able to run five trains at once independently from a single cab control without separating block sections.

 

[mesenteria]

From my readings over the recent years around several fora, approximately 40-60% of all people in the toy trains hobby, regardless of scale, are operating in DC. Maybe only some of the time, and they may have the odd DCC loco with sound, but they're essentially still using DC. This is today. When I returned to the hobby in 2005, DCC users were in a small minority.

Once I understood the capabilities of DCC, and because I was new to the hobby after 40 years away, I elected to dive into DCC. It was a bit of a stretch to work it all out, but now it's straightforward. If you can figure out how to wire blocks and all them switches, DCC is like making a PBJ sandwich.

Even so, I encourage everyone to find joy in this hobby any way they can, and as they darned well choose to do it. Find those lovely memories and moments however they can be captured once more. If that is in a 40 year old train set that still works, so be it, and more power to you.

 

[Krieglok]

My HO and OO stuff is all DC. If I ever get back into those scale and build a layout, I will likely stay with straight DC.

I know about the advantages of DCC but I personally don’t feel the need to have it. I really don’t care for sound in my locos. My last last HO layout was fairly large. I could run two trains on a double track main, another on a branch and a fourth in the yard complex. That was more than I really needed as I just run trains by myself.

Tom

 

[LostInHoboken]

Some good arguments on both sides! I never took the time to read up on DCC, but what I did read about it sounded complicated to me. But the key is, I am still basically tinkering with my old layout from back in the day, and I have exactly ONE line to worry about!

I’m glad to hear there are other still DC holdouts, though.

And I agree about the wiring mess with DC. Another layout started in the mid-60s, which never got finished, had several tracks and sidings and whatnot, and the wiring for that got a little messy. Luckily, my dad did all the heavy thinking on that one!

I’m sure DCC is one of those things where once you get the hang of it, you never go back. Guess I’m just stuck in the past. But it tickles me how I still get the same thrill I did way back when...

 

[prrfan]

I have over 30 locos and only two are DCC/ sound. An MRC Tech 6 Sound Controller runs them, but at the push of a button it controls my DC models as well.
This seems to work fine because my grandsons love the sound engines.

Just do what makes you happy. There are no rules in model railroading except physics and electrical ones.

 

[Lee Willis]

Well, mine isn't HO, but I like to run my O-Gauge conventional, not with digital control, just the way my Dad taught me in 1953. Works fine for me.

 

[danpuckett]

We have several HO engines that we still run on DC. We have DCC also, but enjoy the older DC steamers.

 

[Old_Hobo]

I have 35 locomotives, all DC, and I love 'em! :thumbsup:

 

[CTValleyRR]

Some good arguments on both sides! I never took the time to read up on DCC, but what I did read about it sounded complicated to me. But the key is, I am still basically tinkering with my old layout from back in the day, and I have exactly ONE line to worry about!

I’m glad to hear there are other still DC holdouts, though.

And I agree about the wiring mess with DC. Another layout started in the mid-60s, which never got finished, had several tracks and sidings and whatnot, and the wiring for that got a little messy. Luckily, my dad did all the heavy thinking on that one!

I’m sure DCC is one of those things where once you get the hang of it, you never go back. Guess I’m just stuck in the past. But it tickles me how I still get the same thrill I did way back when...

There's nothing henerently right or wrong, or better or worse, about either DC or DCC. The only mistake you can really make here is to decide that DCC is just too complicated and not even give it a look.

 

[Krieglok]

I have about the same number between US HO, German HO and British OO. Out of all of them, one, a Roco US Military 2-8-0, has DCC, but it is dual mode.

It would be quite an undertaking to convert everything, especially my older Roco stuff...

Tom

 

[Dennis461]

I'm still old fashioned DC, one throttle.
But my new turntable/roundhouse module with 10+ blocks is screaming for DCC!

 

[Chaostrain]

We run DC only.

 

[AFGP9]

I run my American Flyer layout the old fashion way as well.... sort of. I built my layout sticking to 100% Gilbert American Flyer pieces and parts primarily out of nostalgia from my childhood. Since I have a large around the walls layout and had to walk around a lot, I adapted Lionel's TMCC to my 60 year old engines. DC control is the basis but I do have a hand held controller from which I can control most all operations plus run more than one train. While not DCC it is neither 100% transformer controlled either although I could. The TMCC for my 60 year old, original engines acts just like a transformer, controlling the track power only. This set up does save a lot of walking which was my main reason for doing it in the first place. My engines are not TMCC modernized at all nor do they need to be.

Kenny

 

[LostInHoboken]

I have over 30 locos and only two are DCC/ sound. An MRC Tech 6 Sound Controller runs them, but at the push of a button it controls my DC models as well.
This seems to work fine because my grandsons love the sound engines.

Just do what makes you happy. There are no rules in model railroading except physics and electrical ones.

Good to hear!

I’m still working on those physics rules...

 

[LostInHoboken]

I have 35 locomotives, all DC, and I love 'em! :thumbsup:

Excellent!

 

[LostInHoboken]

There's nothing henerently right or wrong, or better or worse, about either DC or DCC. The only mistake you can really make here is to decide that DCC is just too complicated and not even give it a look.

I think I’ve already done that. Looks hard to me. But my tiny layout doesn’t really lend itself. I’ll leave DCC to the hobby pros...

 

[LostInHoboken]

I have about the same number between US HO, German HO and British OO. Out of all of them, one, a Roco US Military 2-8-0, has DCC, but it is dual mode.

It would be quite an undertaking to convert everything, especially my older Roco stuff...

That’s the other thing - conversion of locos. I actually do have one DCC loco, which I bought at a train show a few years ago. But it’s running the old way, I just bought it for the Erie paint scheme.

 

[wvgca]

first layout was DC,
second was DCC,

DCC is a lot easier, a little more money for decoders though ..