I had been in HO for thirtyfive plus years and recently jumped over to S scale. DCC is the same in both scales except for the amperage ratings of some of the decoder applications. I have used Digitrax exclusively from the outset. I am reusing all of my Digitrax components (decoders excluded because I sold them as part of my HO locos), for two reasons: first the system is scaleable, you can start with a basic Zephyr unit at $159. and build on it as your empire grows. Secondly the system is US made, and it is everywhere. Most clubs and private layouts use the Digitrax line. I would not even consider a European system, even Lenz, they are expensive, and support can be difficult to come by.
If you want to get more information and pricing on options contact Kim at www.trainbuddy.com. His phone is 919-369-2373. Tell him I have sent him another person who has seen the light and switched to S scale. By the way, I have the Zephyr I started with five years ago, and I plan to add a booster to upgrade the power rating. It's good stuff. --- In [email protected], "JohnMWalker" <johnmwal...@...> wrote: > > > Greetings everyone, > > I'm back with my second round of beginner's questions > > I made it to the local hobby shop the only one within 20 miles > and the owner demonstrated DCC for me on an HO-locomotive. It was > for a me a real eye opener, and it's very likely the way I will go. > Is there any reason I should not go the DCC path? Since I am starting > from scratch I wouldn't have conversion costs later. > > Locomotives, rolling stock and track I will, of course, purchase from > the US, but I am thinking DCC/ electronics if I do go that way > I might procure locally. The shop owner suggested I bring in some > track, a switch, and a DCC-ready locomotive (he specifically said > `chip and speaker already installed') and he'd show me how > to use it with his recommended system: Uhlenbrock. I doubt it's > known outside Europe --- or have any of you seen it? The system is > called Intellibox / Intellibox II: > > http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/I96EEA64-047.apd/Bes\ > 65060-01e.pdf > <http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/I96EEA64-047.apd/Be\ > s65060-01e.pdf> > > http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/INDEX.HTM > <http://www.uhlenbrock.de/germany/Download/1/English/INDEX.HTM> > > Is it possible to purchase a locomotive (late steam, early diesel 1950s, > ideally Pennsylvania or New Jersey Railroads) with the DCC > chip-and-speaker already installed? If so, can any of you suggest with > whom I should place the order? My first purchase will be minimal: a > locomotive, some freight cars, some track and a switch. In due course I > will, I suspect, begin to deplete my savings as I build my little > empire. > > While I am at it, should I already make the leap to magnetic couplers > such as Kadee? I plan to do some serious switchyard work, so automatic > coupling / uncoupling will be a must. > > In parallel I have been doing the obligatory > tear-up-the-sheet-of-paper-again track planning for the 9' x 27' > or so layout. Carpentry, electrical and lighting is on track (no pun > intended). > > OK, enough dumb questions --- any advice would be sincerely appreciated. > Many thanks in advance, and best regards from a VERY rainy Eastern > Switzerland, > > John > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
