Digital Control

DCC has revolutionised the way modellers operate their model railways. By opting for DCC control, modellers are no longer restricted by where their trains can go - rather than being constrained by the electrics, they can go almost anywhere you send them.

 

DCC allows the independent control of model railway locomotives occupying the same section of track by encoding a digital signal into the electrical waveform for which to both power and communicate directly to all of your locomotives.  The signal is sent by your control system and received by a decoder which is fitted inside the locomotive

 

Digital command control can really bring your model railway to life.  If your layout is based around an engine shed or freight yard where there is complex shunting, it's a gamechanger in terms of ease of operation.  It also opens up the possibility of sound-fitted locomotives, where the decoder is programmed with sounds that are activated by the motion of the train and delivered via an on-board speaker.  These sounds are incredibly realistic and are usually recorded from real life examples, adding an extra dimension to your model railway.

 

DCC is usually more expensive that conventional analogue control as you have to factor in the cost of buying locomotives that have decoders pre-fitted or retro fitting your existing fleet with decoders.  For older locomotives, this can require hard wiring and it is a myth that by simply installing a decoder, the performance of a locomotive will improve.

 

We (naturally) recommend the Gaugemaster Infinity range of DCC controllers which are manufactured here in the UK.  There are a number of options to suit every scenario and you can discover the range here.  They operated using an ergonomic handset so you can concentrate purely on running your trains without distraction.

 

If you prefer to run your model railway using your smartphone or tablet, then look no further than the Roco Z21 system which offers you everything you could possibly need or if sound is your thing, the Hornby HM7000 system is worth considering too

 

We also stock a full range of reliable and easy to use locomotive decoders which offer great features as well as value for money. Our Gaugemaster Ruby Series Decoders are available in many formats including 6 Pin (NEM652), 8 Pin, Next18, 21 Pin and PluX22 versions. We also stock a wide variety of decoders from other manufacturers such as Dapol, Hornby, Marklin, PIKO and Trix too.