Many people decide to start a DCC layout while they operate a DC
layout. Which should one do while making the transition from DC to DCC
on a Unitrack layout.
Many will be surprised to note that it only takes two wires to switch from DC to DCC. You need only connect the two wires from the DCC command station to your track to get started. You must also disconnect the DC power supply and use a power supply that is DCC friendly.The rest of the wiring need for DCC can be added over a period of time. The blocks you have in DC can be used on a DCC layout except you no longer need toggle switches as a train progresses from one block to another around a layout.
I suggest buying a few locomotives that have DCC decoders already installed or that are very DCC friendly(a simple drop-in plugn'play decoder).
The rest of the fleet of locomotives can gradually be transitioned to decoders over a period of time. This means completely running a DCC layout and forgetting about a layout that can be run on DCC or DC with the flick of a switch.
If you choose to run a layout that can be switched from DCC to DC, you risk the high probability that you can blow out your DCC command station and or destroy decoders in the locomotives you might still have on your layout or in most probability destroy the motors of DC locomotives if they are left on the track when you're running in the DCC mode.
So I suggest you make the choice to completely switch over to DCC. You'll never look back.
I still have locomotives on my roster that still need decoders after almost 14 years of running a DCC layout.
Many will be surprised to note that it only takes two wires to switch from DC to DCC. You need only connect the two wires from the DCC command station to your track to get started. You must also disconnect the DC power supply and use a power supply that is DCC friendly.The rest of the wiring need for DCC can be added over a period of time. The blocks you have in DC can be used on a DCC layout except you no longer need toggle switches as a train progresses from one block to another around a layout.
I suggest buying a few locomotives that have DCC decoders already installed or that are very DCC friendly(a simple drop-in plugn'play decoder).
The rest of the fleet of locomotives can gradually be transitioned to decoders over a period of time. This means completely running a DCC layout and forgetting about a layout that can be run on DCC or DC with the flick of a switch.
If you choose to run a layout that can be switched from DCC to DC, you risk the high probability that you can blow out your DCC command station and or destroy decoders in the locomotives you might still have on your layout or in most probability destroy the motors of DC locomotives if they are left on the track when you're running in the DCC mode.
So I suggest you make the choice to completely switch over to DCC. You'll never look back.
I still have locomotives on my roster that still need decoders after almost 14 years of running a DCC layout.
