How to advance consist?

[TrinityJayOne]

Originally Posted by bradyracing

My problem was that the OP had a problem and three hours later with info he got here and working on it himself, finally got that particular train rolling. I just don't want that in a hobby.

Well that is a very valid argument. That's not to say that DC can't have its complications, but I will agree that DCC absolutely has more "what the @$%# is wrong?!" potential.

[Night Train]

All due respect for those who've been in this hobby a lot longer than I have, but I must say that after first building my Philadelphia-Reading layout 25 years ago using the DC and the block system, I am still amazed at how absolutely wonderful DCC is. I'm building the same layout and just tonight completed the wiring for it with the help and suggestions from this forum.

The ability to walk around controlling 2 or 3 locos at the same time and the low-speed control of the locos to me is nothing less that amazing after only being able to run single trains on the old layout and having to stand in the same spot at the control panel while flipping toggle switches allowing the train to enter another block.

If anybody is on the fence, I can only say...Jump in...you'll be very glad you did. Of course there's a learning curve, but once you get it, you'll never look back.

[psychobeagle12]

I'm not on the fence, I'm the little kid outside the fence enviously watching the others in the pool... DCC just isn't in it for me right now but you can bet as soon as it is I will be going for it. And I don't think the "what is wrong???" potential is there any more with dcc than dc, I think that most people who spend 200+ dollars on something expect it to do backflips, cartwheels, and any other manner of tricks with never an injury but the sad truth is all electronics will give you problems at one point or another. I have had many problems with my DC setup, even though I spent a fraction of the cost wiring it. But my layout is also painfully annoying to run because I didn't set up power districts and stuff like that and now I am paying the consequences of inadequate wiring. DCC could eliminate that for me with little to no problems and that is where the advantage is, at least in my eyes.

[Charles Smiley]

To me, the difference is this... Things you "master" today will atrophy with time. If it's a feature or utility you only use once in a great while, you will likely have to find that cryptic manual again to re-learn it.

It doesn't matter if it's DCC, that new SLR digital camera or reprogramming your digital whiz-bang sprinkler system.

Not helping much - crummy manuals written as a last minute afterthought in many cases. Or slapped together as a copy-over from previous, similar products where the bulk of it is legal and safety "boilerplate" junk. There needs to be an annual award for product tech manuals that are well written with clarity.