Model Railroading > What is the best DCC control System on the market?

I have just started researching DCC control systems for a new model train lay out. 
All of my experence over the last 40 years has been DC.
So as you can imagin I have  many DC engines, I guess they would go to E-Bay...

Charlesn
 

That's like asking which is better, Ford or Chevy. Everybody seems to have their opinion.
Go talk to people who are using DCC, try to get users of different systems and see which seems to meet your needs.

It seems to me it is not so much which DCC control system you use as it is on the brand of decoder in the locomotive. From my little experience and what I have seen on youtube, ESU decoders are the brand of choice. It can be a deep dive so don't let yourself run out of oxygen, just pick one that is within your budget and run with it.

There's way too much information and opinion out there for someone starting with DCC. 
Here's mine!

Get a starter system. TCS LT-50, NCE PowerCab and Digitrax Zephyr are under $200 and have lots of helpful users online.
Get a Walthers Mainline DCC/sound locomotive. Well under $200 at Spring Creek and other retailers.
Learn.
Then:
As for your existing fleet, most locomotives made in this century have DCC plugs as well as low-current motors. Easy to upgrade.

One cannot answer the question without knowing how many trains you plan to run at once.

A 4x8 will have a different answer to the "best DCC control system" than a larger layout where
you might have 4-5 visitors running at the same time.

Also the statement above that ESU decoders are the decoders of choice is patently false.

 

I had a Digitrax Chief system but found I need cheat sheets to do many operations, especially consiting.  I changed to the TCS system a couple years ago and the throttles are menu driven and easy to use - no cheat sheets. The controllers are wifi and work great.  Here is a photo of the command station ready to be connected to the layout via PSX breakers.

Cheers,
Jim Fitch



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/26 06:20 by SPDRGWfan.

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charlesn Wrote:
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> So as you can imagin I have  many DC engines, I
> guess they would go to E-Bay...

Not necessarily. Do you have a favorite?  I doubt you run everything all the time. I too have "many" but you can start off with a couple and add DCC/sound. You don't have to do them all at once.

Consider that there is no perfect choice for all situations and that many folks have a starter system and then later a 'forever' system. There is a learning curve and as things develop that may be plenty or that may not be enough. The recent confusion has been wireless throttles using Wi-fi vs a dedicated radio frequency. There's also quite a few new products on the market that combine or get around some of the older technology and then add on newer ideas of signalling and occupancy. Very confusing for those looking for basic operations.

ESU decoders have many options and capabilities that many of us don't use, their market began with the European systems and a one system does everything approach, but for European style hobbies. The decoders have been throttled back, so to speak, to work in the American market. Some locomotive manufacturers make use of the extra capaibilities while others go for simplicity, not a bad thing but can be confusing.

There had been the advise to find a local source of info, a retailer or the local club and to follow along with their ideas and suggestions until the DCC thing makes more sense. There's also very strong information on specific systems on Facebook or Groups io.

From the pure Systems approach a lot of the DCC fundamentals don't make any sense, putting power and commanding on the same wire is a stretch at best. Some of the later systems are a better approach, separating power and commanding with the RF commanding on constant DC tracks, or battery power. Once again a starter system helps lessen the shock.

This is like shopping for a new car.  We can read all the spec sheets and watch all the videos that we like, but when it comes down to it, the best thing to do if at all possible is to try a "test drive" of different brand systems from friends or acquaintances who may live in your area..

Try out the majors - NCE, Digitrax and TCS too, and seek their experiences.  As for me, I started with Digitrax with my modular group years ago, but for my home layout, I now use NCE with TCS throttles over WiFi.  All have their quirks, likes and dislikes, and everyone comes up with their own answer.  I'm very happy with my current setup.  Any of the "starter" systems will get you going.. On a big layout, that starter system can either be expanded, or reassigned to your test bench.

As for your existing all-analog DC locomotive roster, I'd advocate converting just a one or two locomotives at a time, not all at once.

Cheers,
Harry

I was very happy with my NCE Power Pro 5 set.  Very easy to set up and get it up and operating.  I was DC-only also until very recently and am amazed and happy at the transition.

Don't ditch all those DC-only units.   I have dozens of them as well.  Buy a few appropriate DCC units to get started, and then you can pay a smart young person to convert your fave DC units to DCC!  

When my son in law and I built my layout which is in a 20'x37' room, two levels over most of it and 290' run from start back to start and all double track, we designed the electrical system to handle both DC and DCC.   We used five position rotary switches to control 8 grand blocks.   So any block could be powered by DC or DCC.   Then,  I got both Digitrax and NCE controlers as I had the same question as you.   After running it for five years that way I gave up on Digitrax as it just had too many problems and their service was slow as I had to send them in for uprade and repairs.   The NCE was trouble free and eaier to program.    When I did want to send in the NCE for an upgrade all I had to pay was for shipping to NCE, they did not charge me anything for the upgrade and return shipping where Digitrax charged for each thing ala cart style.    Plus since I had Digitrax they have obsoleted the throttle style and no longer provide service for them, NCE has not done that.

Richard.

For a small layout, the short answer is NCE PowerCab. I use it for my home switching layout, but just yesterday took it to another club that has a NCE system to use it as a throttle there. I also have a WifiTrax card on my home layout that works with the NCE PowerCab so I can use phone and wifi throttles on my home layout, expecially my TCS UWT-50P throttle, which I primarly use with Digitrax Club layouts since the Digitrax radio throttles suck so bad!

Ted Curphey
Ontario, OR

Let me throw two more options into the hat. I have to start by making the statement that I do not have a layout nor do I own a DCC system, but I have standardized my locomotive fleet on the ESU platform.

I have operated on layouts with but Digitraxx and NCE, and personally found NCE to be the preferred system of the two for me. I have also operated on layouts with CVP's Easy DCC system, and this is the system I personally found the CVP system to be the easiest to use, and the throttles are very nice in form and function for me.

I have a friend who is building a club size personal layout, and he chose the Ring Engineering control system, which is not DCC protocol, but works with radio signal control in the Bluetooth band. I have not researched this system, so I am not going into specifics of how it works.

John B

Ideas on the above comments:
1. Find out what your friends or club buddies are using so you can have advice or tech guys to help.
2. I started with an NCE Powercab, and when the layout grew I repurposed it to be a stand alone programming track.  Any starter set would do.
3. I could never get past the "totally baffled" stage of ESU decoders and their programmer.  They do run and sound great but if I wanted something different from the factory programming (e.g. change horn type) I could not grasp what I was expected by them to do.  I ended up selecting DC only for ESU equipped locomotives and putting in my own NCE or Soundtrax decoder, with Digitrax as a non sound, reliable, alternative.
4.  Once I learnedd about after market iPhone speakers I now use them unless the original speaker installation is well done.
5.  I recommend putting in a "current keeper" if you can make space for it. The smallest size is all it takes to get past little glitches like running through an automatic reverser or when wheels short out in transient "blips" on non-DCC friendly switches.
6. In almost any case a wireless throttle is convenient.  I have only limited experience with cell phone "apps" but they do work AFAIK.  I am very pleased with my two NEC cabs.
Have fun!

Highly recommend the suggestion to find others in your area where you can try out a system or two.  Or if you have a local hobbyshop that carries a specific brand so you have a resource.  I haven't heard of any systems that you should steer clear of, so it really comes down to personal choice.  I'll second the recommendation to begin with a starter system.  I've had a Digitrax Zephyr for almost 20 years now and haven't outgrown it yet.  I still have a number of DC locomotives that I haven't converted to DCC yet, but I can always run those on address 0 on the Zephyr when I really want to.  I've done a number of decoder installations now and it's really been straight forward, especially because my fleet is all diesel.  Between the consiting abilities, and the sound features that my kids and I love, making the leap to DCC has been totally worth it.

Nathan

TCS is the best system I have owned by a mile.  

atsf121 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Highly recommend the suggestion to find others in
> your area where you can try out a system or two.
>  Or if you have a local hobbyshop that carries a
> specific brand so you have a resource.  I haven't
> heard of any systems that you should steer clear
> of, so it really comes down to personal choice.
>  I'll second the recommendation to begin with a
> starter system.  I've had a Digitrax Zephyr for
> almost 20 years now and haven't outgrown it yet.
>  I still have a number of DC locomotives that I
> haven't converted to DCC yet, but I can always run
> those on address 0 on the Zephyr when I really
> want to.  I've done a number of decoder
> installations now and it's really been straight
> forward, especially because my fleet is all
> diesel.  Between the consiting abilities, and the
> sound features that my kids and I love, making the
> leap to DCC has been totally worth it.
>
> Nathan 

X2 on local resources & I would also go with WIFI no matter what system you chose. 
If you run on an NCE system be sure to clear out the advanced consisting # or it won't run on Digitrax

Tim Hanesworth
Santa Rosa, CA

As many have mentioned, Coke vs. Pepsi, VHS vs. Beta, Chevy vs. Ford, so many options. As others have said, the main points:

- Go Wi-FI! That is the biggest one. No matter what the back end service, go Wi-Fi. I didn't even have any utility ports on the layout in a 30' x 30' space of the old layout, new layout is slightly smaller and no utility ports needed if using Wi-Fi. 

- Use a DCC system that others near you can help with and have knowledge. This is not a requirement, but can certainly help. Or the internet has so many groups that can help. 

- Buy new DCC locomotives as you like, no rush, and update one or two engines at a time. This will take time to cut over all engines, but enjoy the process and update as needed. You'll learn a lot as you go. Or outsource if you want to speed up the process.

- Tsunami vs. ESU is another debate. Each have their dug in camps and people will get into heated battles over which one is best. Decide for yourself. If you go ESU, get their programmer. If go with Tsunami or WOWsound, JMRI is really handy. But, whatever you do, try and STANDARDIZE ON ONE BRAND!! You'll be much happier overall. Yes you can mix and match decoders, but if you standardize on one, it will make your life easier! 

Good luck and overall, have fun. It's so much cooler watching engines on nearby tracks at different speeds and having people operate trains as they are to be operated, vs. DC. 

Mike ONeill
Okahumpka, FL

- Use a DCC system that others near you can help with and have knowledge. This is not a requirement, but can certainly help. Or the internet has so many groups that can help. 

The problem with the above is that two brands have been around for a very long time and the TCS system only a few years.  Chances are if you used DCC systems near you, you might never get to try the TCS system which I've found is so easy to use.  More than likely, due to momentum, clubs will likely be using Digitrax or NCE.  In northern Virginia, everyone I've see use Digitrax.  I ended up not liking it and having to constantly use cheat sheets.

- Tsunami vs. ESU is another debate. Each have their dug in camps and people will get into heated battles over which one is best. Decide for yourself. If you go ESU, get their programmer. If go with Tsunami or WOWsound, JMRI is really handy. But, whatever you do, try and STANDARDIZE ON ONE BRAND!! You'll be much happier overall. Yes you can mix and match decoders, but if you standardize on one, it will make your life easier!

I've been trying to buy mostly DCC equipped locos but it is difficult to standardize when Athearn Genesis come with TSU and ScaleTrains comes with Loksound.  I do have Decoder Pro on my layout computer but it doesn't seem to easily program engine numbers on the Tsu decoders, but it does detect the EUS and it is easy to program the engine number address on those.
 

Clipped from above:
sp8234 Wrote:

> If you run on an NCE system be sure to clear out
> the advanced consisting # or it won't run on
> Cicatrix

A more universal bit of advice to the above;  If you want to take a consisted set of locos from your DCC layout to run on a different DCC layout, always delete the consist on your layout and rebuild in where you are going to run it.  And then delete the consist again before you leave and rebuild it when you get home.  Always works, no matter which DCC system is in use at each place.  Avoid the whole issue of how different DCC systems technically handle locomotive consists.  You could call this the "when in Rome" rule.

As far as which system to get, I'd add this to all the above advice:  I've built two DCC-layouts - a 17x25 multi-level basement-filler and my current 12x12 bedroom-size switching layout.  I went with NCE in the early 2000s for the big one and have kept using it since.  I currently am a regular crew member on several local operations-oriented layouts, all running Digitrax.  One of them is also using TCS wireless throttles to connect to their Digitrax system.  As a visiting operator, the legacy Digitrax throttles have, in my opinion, the most counter-intuitive user interface ever developed.  The newer small Digitrax throttles with the center display surrounded by a bunch of buttons are somehow even worse.  Yes, you can invest the time to learn how to use them, especially for more complex things like consisting, etc.  My NCE system has been the easiest to use, as well as being trouble-free as a layout owner.  Others above have commented on how well NCE handles upgrades,, which I've only needed to do once years ago for a hugely successful radio improvement.

Best easy field survey anyone can do:  When you visit someone's DCC layout, ask the layout owner where they keep their DCC system's operating manual.  My experience:  The Digitrax guys all know exactly where it is.  NCE guys need to think about it a bit.  Which generally shows you how often the owners need to go running to the manual to diagnose/fix something.

Norm



 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/26 14:57 by NCA1022.