What is DCC?
Model railways are more than just a child’s toy, but also an extremely collectible item and a engaging hobby for its many devoted fans. Some hobbyists are in it for the joy of operating their trains, while others choose to recreate actual events or places. For the latter, a great deal of research and work go into ensuring that the background and the particulars that make up the scene are as authentic as possible. Others even go as far as to paint their trains to simulate the effect of daily wear and tear on the machines—such as rust marks, soot, grime, oil stains, and the like—depending on the type of locomotive that they have, whether it is a steam powered engine, a diesel powered one, and so on.
When it comes to wiring and making the train run, model railroading does need quite a bit of technical skill. In order to make the trains go fast or slow down, you will need to have a decent understanding of the way electronic systems work. Plus, in order to make the train work, you need to operate a power system and a transformer. Children who are fascinated with model railroading must work on their sets with adult supervision, as wiring can be tricky even for the adult beginner.
A DCC, or Digital Command Control system, is highly advisable for someone who is just starting out in model railroading. It uses digital signals emitted by computer technology to operate your train set. All you need to make it function is a digital receiver on each locomotive which will decipher the signals from the track. This system also lets you manage the other working parts of the model train set-up, such as lights or smoke generators, both of which add that touch of whimsy to the scene.
Whereas the DC powered train set requires the hobbyist to wire the tracks in pre-divided sectors to make the trains run on its own, DCC systems are much less taxing to wire up. The beauty of DCC is also in the fact that it allows you to compensate for the effects of inertia on a train much like in real life, and have shifting speed for your set.
DC or analog systems are still prevalent, especially on older models or antique train set, but most of the new models sold today are DCC ready, so if you are interested in switching to this eventually, make sure your new set is DCC compliant. DCC systems have have increased its popularity due to their ease and convenience, although there are a few die-hard train hobbyists who embrace the DC system.
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