New layout: DCC control
SUFFICIENT progress was made on the staging yard of the editor’s new ‘EM’ gauge layout for the control system to be installed, allowing more thorough testing of track and power bus wiring.
There are numerous choices in DCC systems which would suit a20ft square ‘round the walls’ layout design such as this one. Whilst the main line run is quite long in either direction from the staging yard, the modelled location does not have an intense service, allowing solo operation as well as operating sessions with friends. No more than 15 4mm scale locomotives and multiple-units would be drawing current on the layout at any one time and few of them are fitted with digital sound which can draw more current.
Most commercial digital systems with a 3 to 5 Amp rating will have sufficient power to operate the layout including Digitrax, Lenz, MRC, Roco Z21, Gaugemaster ‘Prodigy’ and the Hornby ‘Elite’ system to mention a few. Reams have been written about choosing the right digital system for a layout, and the following are
