Specifics on different DCC systems and hardware

(remember: links to sub-pages at the bottom of this page)

click to jump to the bottom

Well, there are many things that are important in picking a system. Unfortunately, a lot of the decisions made by newcomers is based on the throttle appearance and size. So rather than fight it, I'll put the sexy stuff first.

From left to right, A dollar bill, Zimo, Massoth, LGB 55016, LGB 55015, and NCE ProCab.

In choosing a DCC system you need to consider the entire system, how it works, how expandable it is, cost, compatibility, and yes, how much you like the throttle.

Throttles:

I'm over 50, and farsighted, so the larger the characters on the screen the better for me, because I don't wear glasses except for closeup stuff. 

Note: this is not about screen size, it's about how large the characters are on the screen. You can have a big screen full of tiny letters and it's not for me.

I also have been involved in the design of consumer electronics for a long time, and I have learned a lot about how to make a good system, the tradeoff between the number of buttons and the number and levels of menus.

I've listed several manufacturers' equipment here, and my experiences with them.

I always recommend NCE in terms of price/performance.

The European systems are full of features, often unique to just their decoders, and have more complex displays. I gave up my beloved NCE system for a Zimo system, which has unique features but is hard as heck to see in sunlight (color OLED high resolution touchscreen, each feature a strike against sunlight readability!!)

Investigate:

http://www.teamdigital1.com/index.html

Notes on higher power boosters:

15 amp booster by Gallus, but the web site seems to be gone: http://www.modellbahn-gallus.de/

There is/was a 20 amp booster, max voltage 22 volts: http://www.perandones.ch/index.asp?inc=artikel

DCC Manufacturer ID table:

1: CML Electronics Limited

2: Train Technology

11: NCE Corporation

12: Wangrow

13: Public Domain & Do-It-Yourself Decoders

14: PSI - Dynatrol

15: Ramfixx Technologies (Wangrow)

17: Advanced IC Engineering, Inc.

18: JMRI

19: AMW

20: T4T - Technology for Trains GmbH

21: Kreischer Datentechnik

22: KAM Industries

23: S Helper Service

24: MoBaTron.de

25: Team Digital, LLC

26: MBTronik - PiN GITmBH

27: MTH Electric Trains, Inc.

28: Heljan A/S

29: Mistral Train Models

30: Digsight

31: Brelec

32: Regal Way Co. Ltd

33: Praecipuus

34: Aristo-Craft

35: Elektronik & Modell Produktion

36: DCCConcepts

37: NAC Services, Inc.

38: Broadway Limited Imports, LLC

39: Educational Computer, Inc (DCCdevices.com)

40: KATO Precision Models

41: Passmann Modellbahnzubehoer

42: Digirails

43: Ngineering

44: SPROG-DCC

45: ANE Model Co., LTD.

46: GFB Designs

47: Capecom

48: Hornby Hobbies Ltd.

49: Joka Electronic

50: N & Q Electronics

51: DCC Supplies, Ltd

52: Krois-Modell

53: Rautenhaus Digital

54: TCH Technology

55: QElectronics GmbH

56: LDH

57: Rampino Elektronik

58: KRES GmbH

59: Tam Valley Depot

60: Bluecher-Elektronik

61: TrainModules

62: Tams Elektronik GmbH

63: Noarail

64: Digital Bahn

65: Gaugemaster

66: Railnet Solutions, LLC

67: Heller Modenlbahn

68: MAWE Elektronik

69: E-Modell

70: Rocrail

71: New York Byano Limited

72: MTB Model

73: The Electric Railroad Company

74: PpP Digital

75: DigiTools Electronics Servicing and Contractor Ltd.

76: Auvidel

77: LS Models Sprl

78: Tehnologistic (train-O-matic) ROM
79: Hattons Model Railways UK
80: Spectrum Engineering US
81: GooVerModels BEL
82: HAG Modelleisenbahn CHE
83: JSS-Elektronic DE
84: Railflyer Model Prototypes, Inc.  C

85: Uhlenbrock Elektronik GmbH

86: Wekomm Engineering, GmbH

87: RR-CirKits

88: HONS Model 1011000 0x58 88 HKG
89: Pojezdy.EU 1011001 0x59 89 CZE
90: Shourt Line 1011010 0x5A 90 US
91: Railstars Limited 1011011 0x5B 91 US
92: Tawcrafts 1011100 0x5C 92 UK
93: Kevtronics cc 1011101 0x5D 93 ZAF
94: Electroniscript, Inc. 1011110 0x5E 94 US

95: Sanda Kan Industrial (1981) Ltd.

96: PRICOM Design

97: Doehler & Haas

98: Harman DCC

99: Lenz Elektronik GmbH

100: Trenes Digitales

101: Bachmann Trains

102: Integrated Signal Systems

103: Nagasue System Design Office

104: TrainTech

105: Computer Dialysis France

106: Opherline1 1101010 0x6A 106 FR
107: Phoenix Sound Systems, Inc.

109: Viessmann Modellspielwaren GmbH

110: AXJ Electronics

111: Haber & Koenig Electronics GmbH

112: LSdigital

113: QS Industries

114: Benezan Electronics

115: Dietz Modellbahntechnik

116: MyLocoSound

117: cT Elektronik

118: MÜT GmbH

119: W. S. Ataras Engineering

120: csikos-muhely

123: Massoth Elektronik, GmbH

125: ProfiLok Modellbahntechnik GmbH

127: Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc.

129: Digitrax

131: Trix Modelleisenbahn

132: ZTC Controls Ltd.

133: Intelligent Command Control

135: CVP Products

139: RealRail Effects

141: Throttle-Up (Soundtraxx)

143: Model Rectifier Corp.

145: Zimo Elektronik

147: Umelec Ing. Buero

149: Rock Junction Controls

151: Electronic Solutions Ulm GmbH & Co KG

153: Train Control Systems

155: Gebr. Fleischmann GmbH & Co.

157: Kuehn Ing.

159: LGB (Ernst Paul Lehmann Patentwerk)

161: Modelleisenbahn GmbH (formerly Roco)

163: WP Railshops

165: Model Electronic Railway Group

170: AuroTrains

173: Arnold - Rivarossi

186: brAWA Modellspielwaren GmbH & Co.

204: Con-Com GmBHs

225: Elproma Electrounics Poland

238: NMRA reserved

Sub-Pages

Click the links below to go "deeper" into details on individual DCC systems by manufacturer