I'm in the US and have heard of it. If you are happy with the functionality of the Intellibox, then there is no problem using it. The Intellibox also has a LocoNet interface so you can use Digitrax and third party products that use LocoNet (including Digitrax throttles).
Since most of the people on this list reside in North America, they are most familiar with Digitrax and NCE, which are the most popular systems with serious model railroaders, with Lenz, Bachmann, and EasyDCC somewhat less used. However, that doesn't mean the other systems are not good. In fact, some of them have features not available on Digitrax and NCE systems . Actually, in most cases, most of the cost of a DCC system is in the decoders. Long time DCC user, who switched systems. Haven't used string in a long time, however, I do remember playing with some windup trains when I was young, which I think my father threw away (they were his). I liked them better than string because the spring would store the energy provided by my muscles and I didn't need to continuously apply it. Dave Heine Easton, PA -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of JohnMWalker Sent: Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:41 AM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} S-scale layout planning: chapter 2 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 ------------------------------------ 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/
