Category Description: Digital Command Control systems and information.
10 Steps to Choosing a DCC System
Model Railroader 2005-01 pg. 108 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
This column covers ten things to consider before buying your DCC system.
8 Ways to Enhance Operation With DCC
Model Railroader 2006-01 pg. 96 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
This article covers walkaround control, consisting, helper service, multi-train control, Rule 17 lighting, whistles, signals, fast clocks, and lighting effects.
A Slide-away DCC Programming Track
Scale Rails 2005-12 pg. 25 Scale: (none) Author: (none)
Describes how to build a small pull-out shelf or tray that holds a single piece of track connected to the programming output of the DCC command station.
Add DCC Sound to an Alco S-2
Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 42 Scale: HO Author: Don James
This article describes how the author installed a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami into an HO-scale Atlas S-2 engine. Includes speaker and capacitor installation. Lights are also discussed. There is a side-bar on how to make printed-circuit-board bus bars
Adding MRC's DCC System to Your PC
Model Railroad News 2010-06 pg. 65 Scale: Author: Steven Goehring
A product review of MRC's Prodigy Computer Interface software application.
Can DCC Match the DCS Slick?
Model Railroad News 2008-10 pg. 99 Scale: Author: John Sipple
The author compares the DCS system by MTH to the DCC systems available today.
DCC Buyer's Guide
Model Railroader 2003-03 pg. 64 Scale: Author: Jim Hediger
This article is a good introduction to DCC. It explains terminology, answers common DCC questions, discusses throttles, command stations, power stations, decoders, the various starter sets available at that time, and has a sidebar on what's available for three-rail O-scale.
DCC Buyer's Guide
Model Railroader 2005-12 pg. 74 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
An overview of DCC, and a listing of the various models available to model railroaders.
DCC Corner: A Word to the Wyes
Model Railroader 2006-07 pg. 80 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
Dealing with wyes when using DCC.
DCC Corner: Keep Your Trains Running with Power Districts
Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 104 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
Information about how to wire one booster per district and how to protect blocks using automobile tail lamps.
DCC Momentum is a "Heavy" Issue
Model Railroad News 2010-06 pg. 0 Scale: Author: John Sipple
The author describes to how set-up and use acceleration and deceleration momentum.
DCC Power Supply
O Scale Trains Magazine 32 May 2007 pg. 14 Scale: Author: Ted Horvath
The author describes how he was unable to complete the 18-volt, 10-amp power supply project described in issues #23 and 24 of this magazine until he could find the perfect mounting box for the electrical components.
DCC and Pull Power
Model Railroad News 2010-03 pg. 78 Scale: Author: John Sipple
Questions and answers about how DCC affects an engine's pulling power
DCC for Traction Layouts
O Scale Trains Magazine 33 July 2007 pg. 51 Scale: O Author: David Gairo
Installing a DCC decoder in a trolley.
Decoder-controlled Caboose Lighting
Model Railroader 2006-03 pg. 98 Scale: HO Author: Mike Polsgrove
The author discusses what he had to do to install a Digitrax TF4 decoder in a caboose to gain a flashing amber roof-top beacon and red marker lights.
Decoding Decoders
Model Railroader 2002-08 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Lionel Strang
What do the various wires on a decoder mean?
Demystifying Command Control Part 18
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-08 pg. 57 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
How addressing works, broadcast address, primary address, extended addresses, consist address, addressing ideas, accessory decoders.
Demystifying Command Control Part 19
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-09 pg. 74 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
DCC-ready connectors, new interfaces, wireless cabs.
Demystifying Command Control Part 20
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-10 pg. 75 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
Accessory decoders.
Demystifying Command Control Part 21
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-11 pg. 69 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
Another look at CV's and their functions. What is a CV? Anatomy of a CV. NMRA Recommended Practices. How a decoder deciphers CV's. Changing CV settings. Service mode programming. OPS mode programming. Methods of change. Different functions, same CV.
Demystifying Command Control Part 22
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-12 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
In this installment the author covers operating a layout equipped with DCC. It covers walk-around benefits, smaller local control panels, indicating turnout positions in dwarf signals, and how to deal with people who are die-hard DC buffs.
Demystifying Command Control Part 24
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-02 pg. 72 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
This is the last installment of this series. The article contains a glossary of DCC terminology, and a listing of DCC manufacturers, of DCC suppliers, and of DCC services.
Demystifying Command Control Part XI
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-01 pg. 71 Scale: Author: Don Fiehmann
This article covers the nasty topic of finding and fixing problems with both d.c. and DCC layouts. Handy flowcharts are provided to help hunt down problems.
Demystifying Command Control Part XII
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 78 Scale: HO Author: Don Fiehmann
This installment covers sound decoders and how to install them, including how to make a speaker box for a tender.
Digital Command Control
NMRA Bulletin 2003-03 pg. 36 Scale: (none) Author: Jeff Garrett
Primer on DCC.
Digitrax UTD Duplex Utility Throttle: Great for Operations
Model Railroad News 2010-06 pg. 62 Scale: Author: Pete Birdsong
The author reviews the latest version of the smaller utility throttle that supports selecting a locomotive's address without the need for plugging in.
Electric Flywheel
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 54 Scale: N Author: Jon Ames
Locomotives come to an instant stand-still when they loose connection with the track on DCC. The author shows how he installed an Uninterruptible Signal Processing unit by Lenz to work with their decoder. This provides up to 4 seconds of power to the engine should it loose contact with the rail. He installed it in a Kato Mikado.
Getting Started with DCC
Railroad Model Craftsman 2007-02 pg. 82 Scale: (none) Author: Allan Crowe
Mostly a beginners article, but it offers a fresh perspective on what it is like to convert an existing layout from block control to DCC. The author uses NCE's system, but tried to keep it as generic as possible.
How Compatible is DCC?
Model Railroader 1996-10 pg. 92 Scale: Author: Debbie Ames
The Amherst Railway Society show was used to test the compatibility between the various manufacturers of DCC components. A table of command stations, decoders, and programmers is provided with the article. It is an interesting historical perspective of DCC's early days.
How Sound Decoders Work
Model Railroader 2004-09 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
How sound decoders are created.
How Sound Decoders Work
Model Railroader 2010-12 pg. 40 Scale: Author: Mike Polsgrove
This article describes how sound is converted to digital bits, stored in a decoder, and how the sound is reproduced in our engines.
Installing DCC Decoders
N-Scale 2005-10/11 pg. 49 Scale: N Author: Dennis Murphy
The article describes the author's experience installing an HO-scale decoder into the dummy B unit of a set of Life-Like's PA/B units. Shows close-up photos of the actual modifications and installation.
Installing Sound Decoders in Diesel Locomotives
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-09 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: John Edwards
Sountraxx decoders for HO, S, and O scale. Installation descriptions for Proto 2000 E-unit, Stewart FT, Proto 2000 GP7/9, Kato SD45, Proto 2000 FB-1, Atlas GP40, and Athearn S70.
JMRI: Keeping Track of Your Loco Roster and Decoder Settings
Model Railroad News 2009-01 pg. 98 Scale: Author: John Sipple
Using the software made available by JMRI, you can not only program your decoders from your computer, but also track which engine has which decoder, and reset that decoder should something happen to it.
Locomotive Lighting Effects
Model Railroader 2005-02 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
This article discusses, in general, how to install lights in locomotives, and then programming the decoder to perform special lighting functions using Decoder Pro.
Model Railroading Take a Look at DCC Part XXXIV
Model Railroading 2005-02 pg. 52 Scale: (none) Author: Larry Puckett
This part in the series covers the Life-Like QSI Sound Decoder, the Bachmann E-Z Command, and the MRC Prodigy Advance
Model Railroading Takes A Look at DCC Part 35
Model Railroading 2005-11 pg. 30 Scale: (none) Author: Larry Puckett
Covers throttles, the Digitrax UT4/UT4R, Digitrax decoders, throttle pockets (holders for the throttles), and the new DCC Specialties "the Hare".
N-scale Atlas Shay DCC Decoder Installation
Scale Rails 2005-05 pg. 24 Scale: N Author: David Derway
Installing a Lenz LE0511W decoder in the Atlas Shay. The article includes lots of close-up detail photos and drawings of how to do this conversion.
Power Buses and Districts
Model Railroader 2005-11 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
The first part of the article discusses the basics of good wiring and why that is important when DCC is used (as opposed to cab-control). The rest of the article discusses the benefits of well-thought out districts to help even the load and reduce total shut down in case of shorts.
Power Districts For Digital Command Control
Model Railroader 2005-01 pg. 90 Scale: (none) Author: Paul Chandler
This is an extensive look at why we need power districts, and how to design and construct them. Includes information about how to build small control panels to allow for shutting down of individual power districts for maintenance and debugging.
Programming Primer: Give Your Loco Its Own Address
Model Railroad News 2010-01 pg. 100 Scale: Author: John Sipple
This article describes how to program the locomotive's address using the various DCC systems.
Project DCC Part 5
Model Railroad News 2008-10 pg. 88 Scale: Author: Phil Scandura
This installment covers track assembly, wiring, and block detection. Lots of diagrams show the ease with which DCC track can be wired for such complex things as crossovers, blocks, reverse loops, and wiring LEDs.
Project DCC Part 6
Model Railroad News 2008-11 pg. 88 Scale: Author: Phil Scandura
This installment covers turnout control wiring using stationary decoders by various companies.
Project DCC Part 11
Model Railroad News 2009-08 pg. 78 Scale: Author: Phil Scandura
This installment continues the topic of integrating operation and automation, focusing on automated computer control of your layout. It covers Panel Pro, Layout Commander, Train Controller, and STP.
Project DCC Part 7A
Model Railroad News 2009-01 pg. 88 Scale: Author: Phil Scandura
This installment covers installing signals wiring using the Digitrax and Lenz systems.
Sound for Brass Steam
Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 92 Scale: HO Author: Mike Polsgrove
The author describes how he went about installing a sound decoder into a Soo Line 2-8-2 Mikado from Division Point Hobbies.
The Computer Inside
Model Railroad News 2008-11 pg. 98 Scale: Author: John Sipple
The article makes a good argument for switching to DCC if you have not yet done so, from the perspective of someone not necessarily computer-literate.
The EasyDCC Command Control System Part 6
Model Railroader 1997-07 pg. 94 Scale: (none) Author: Keith Gutierrez, Lee Rayburn
This article covers the basics of accessory decoders, installing, and programming them. Included are a diagram of how to wire a Lenz LS110 accessory decoder to a twin coil switch machine. Another diagram covers how to wire a System One stationary decoder to a slow motion switch machine.
The Power Behind DCC
Model Railroad News 2010-09 pg. 102 Scale: Author: John Sipple
Using the RRampMeter to detect problems in the DCC power supply system.
Tips for Using Wireless Throttles
Model Railroader 2006-08 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
Dealing with rechargeable batteries, holding on to throttles (various solutions), and picking good receiver locations.
Upgrade Your Classic N-scale Fleet to DCC
Model Railroad News 2008-11 pg. 68 Scale: N Author: Phil Scandura
This articles covers TCS DCC decoders designed to fit in Atlas engines that weren't originally designed for DCC. The article covers installation and programming information.
Using DCC on NTRAK Modules
N-Scale 2002-07/08 pg. 55 Scale: N Author: Jim Fitzgerald
This one-page article describes how to wire NTRAK modules for DCC and includes a basic diagram. The real purpose of the article is to reference the web site that maintains the NTRAK DCC standard: http://trainweb.org/nrmrc
Using DCC to Match Locomotive Speeds
Model Railroader 2006-09 pg. 78 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Polsgrove
The article covers speed matching, manipulating CV2, 5, and 6 to set a basic speed curve, and developing a method for locomotive speed matching.
Using Decoder Pro
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-09 pg. 73 Scale: (none) Author: Don Fiehmann
This article does a good job reviewing how the Decoder Pro software application works. It lacks details about how to hook the computer up to your DCC programming track. The application is free.
Using Decoder Pro with a DCC System - or Even a Layout!
Model Railroad News 2009-08 pg. 86 Scale: Author: John Sipple
John describes how to use the Digitrax PR3, QSI Quantum Programmer, and SPROG II to program decoders, possibly even on the workbench away from the layout.
What DCC Should Santa Bring You This Christmas?
Model Railroad News 2008-12 pg. 100 Scale: Author: John Sipple
A quick overview of the various DCC systems available.
Wiring Reversing Sections for DCC
Model Railroader 2010-04 pg. 72 Scale: Author: Mike Polsgrove
This article describes how to wire a reversing loop and a wye when using DCC.
Wiring a DCC Turntable
Model Railroader 2003-11 pg. 115 Scale: Author: Mike Polsgrove
This article describes how to control the turntable motor using a locomotive decoder, and how to use the decoder's light function output to control the power to engine house stall tracks.
Wiring a Peco Electrofrog Crossing for DCC
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 92 Scale: N Author: (none)
The article covers reversing modules to handle the polarity changes encountered in crossings.
Zero 1 for N Scale
Model Railroader 1983-07 pg. 62 Scale: N Author: Jim Kelly
The author describes how he managed to get command control into his N-scale engines. He used the Hornsby Zero 1 system.