In two of my previous posts, I detailed some issues I had with Digitrax DCC systems.
To sum up, I prefer my NCE PowerCab for daily operations due to its simplicity and intuitive ease of operations. The problems I run into with my NCE are that it doesn't play nice with TCS decoders (which I use exclusively in my older Atlas locomotives) and when I program on the programming track I lose some cab parameters and have to set the cab back up. These issues are annoying, but minor, so I've decided to live with them, although one of these days I will likely send it in to have the cab parameter problem looked at.
The Digitrax Zephyr starter system is likewise easy to operate, especially for someone just transitioning from DC. I own the oldest of the sets, the DCS50, which has since been replaced by first the DCS51 and then the DCS52. They all have a single knob that you turn for engine speed, and a lever for forward and reverse, just like a DC throttle pack would have. The only difference is the keypad, which is used to enter the locomotive address and operate the functions as well as programming locomotives.
The problem is that the DCS50 doesn't show throttle settings in steps or percentages, so it's nearly impossible to set two locomotives to the exact same speed setting for speed matching. Also, the Digitrax systems as a whole don't seem to be as user friendly when programming locomotives as the NCE system is. The Zephyr is somewhat easier, but it's not easy to program advanced features since it is, after all, a basic starter set, as well as being very old. I'm sure that the newer versions are better; the DCS52, for example, has a larger liquid crystal display screen that shows much more information than the DCS50's sectional LED display.
However, since my club runs Digitrax, I have to program my show locomotives on that system due to the difference in track voltages between the two systems. Locomotives speed matched on NCE aren't necessarily going to be speed matched on Digitrax, which causes operational difficulties on show layouts. Therefore, I needed a more capable Digitrax system for programming, and to that end I purchased a Super Empire Builder Xtra, or rather had one purchased for me.
I had been using it successfully to program my locomotives, but one day I decided I wanted to run cordless operations. To that end I purchased some used throttles and interface panels, none of which have worked the way I wanted them to. To further complicate things, I hooked the Digitrax up to a loop of track to program my newest locomotives and, due probably to operator errors on an unfamiliar system, failed miserably, and had to program them with the NCE system (which, for reasons I have already extensively detailed, won't work so well on the club layout).
That brings me to this; a set of locomotives I couldn't program properly, a set of throttles that are virtually useless, and no way to run wireless if the cell phone setup doesn't work for whatever reason. So, finally, in desperation, I have made a purchase of a complete new Evolution Express Duplex Radio Starter Set, which should include all that I need for wireless operations as well as providing the proper throttle to run at the club shows.
I have almost decided that my new layout, which will be about 3 times bigger than my existing one, will use the Digitrax system because I now own so much Digitrax equipment. Digitrax did do one thing right in that all of their systems will work together with Loconet, so I can set both the original Zephyr and the DB150 from my Super Empire Builder starter sets to be boosters.
I can use the Zephyr exclusively in the yard as the hostler's throttle and put the DB150 over on the mountain turn-around loop, sprinkling the various control panels around the layout and installing the LNWI module for cell phone ops. That should give me plenty of operational flexibility, and I should be able to use all of my throttles on IR if nothing else (I would have to purchase a UR91 interface panel to use the radio function on the 401R throttle).
I will then keep the NCE system for the Christmas layout and for various smaller projects that I may decide to get into. I have also almost convinced myself to build an HO layout on a shelf above the N, so that would be a perfect use for the NCE system. I would have to use a stepladder to get to the rear of the HO scale layout if I decide to build it, but that's a minor concern. It would also give me a nice place to mount some lighting for the N scale.
But first, I have to get the train room ready to build benchwork, so I'm off to do that now.
