Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading

What Is Digital Command Control?

A Digital Command Control (DCC) operating system allows more than one locomotive to change speed and direction (among other things) independently of one another by installing DCC decoders in the locomotives. As the word Digital in Digital Command Control implies, a DCC operating system is not an analog system (like the electrical circuit in your home).

A DCC decoder is a device that “listens” to information transmitted through the track. Each locomotive has a different decoder. This allows you to run two or more locomotives on the same track at different speeds and in different directions. Trains with DCC capability cost more, but that’s because they can be operated individually, like real trains.

A DCC Starter Set, like the one shown above, is an entire DCC system in the palm of your hand! This system can operate up to 4 HO-scale locomotives or 8 N-scale locomotives. Installation is simple: just hook two wires to your track and plug in separate names or designations for your locomotives into the power cab (control unit), like 2-8-0 or 2-6-4, or Mikado or Santa Fe.

The DCC system shown comes with a power cab, 7' power cable, PCP power panel, power supply, pro cab coiled cord, and an operating manual.

Continue with this Railroading Workshop by clicking on the link below:

What Is the Bachmann E-Z App Touch Screen Control?


DCC Systems

Digital Command Control DCC systems are not recommended for beginning railroaders due to the added expenses for your DCC-compatible locomotives and the digital electronic components necessary for setting up a DCC operating system. The good news is that the Bachmann train company has developed a simple solution for operating locomotives individually, which does not encompass the relatively significant costs of installing a DCC system. The solution is called the Bachmann E-Z App Touch Screen Control. The E-Z App allows you to program your Bachmann locomotives that already contain built-in decoders for operating your trains from your cell phone. The E-Z App is covered in this Railroading Workshop (click on the link at the bottom of this web page).