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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 14, 2016 19:26:25 GMT -5
RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!! IT'S TRAINZILLA!!!!!
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Post by markm on Feb 15, 2016 23:31:01 GMT -5
Adrian, I've seen that image before. It was about 40 years ago in a train store and the caption was something like "[Cheap] Japanese Imports are destroying our hobby."
Mark
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Post by atw on Feb 16, 2016 13:02:03 GMT -5
Mark, The model in my picture is from Bandai so I guess it's actually a Japanese monster made in China... I wonder if those "cheap imports" carried some evil tattoos too, back in those days? Adrian
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Feb 16, 2016 18:54:03 GMT -5
I am waiting for something better than DCC like radio control where the track does not need to be powered. Some think I am crazy but I do believe it will happen in the next 10 years making DC and DCC both obsolete. Until then, I stick with DC.
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Post by markm on Feb 16, 2016 20:57:29 GMT -5
Joe, The availability of technology has never been the limiting factor in model railroading, as this thread would suggest, the user is. What you ask for is available right now in the large scales and has been for some time. One could do it right now in Z if someone developed an RC board for the AZL locomotives (about $200 per unit, $50,000 development costs). 9V of AAAA rechargeable batteries would provide enough power, but would need 2-3 60-90' cars in tow for locomotive power. You would need to have a charging track. Any serious takers? Model railroading has been a trailing edge technology user for some time, but particularly in the past couple of decades. How many people realize that DCC is a standard that's older than the Windows operating system and it's based on a technology that goes back to the moon landings?
Mark
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Feb 17, 2016 15:56:50 GMT -5
In time Mark I do believe some company will make it work. And make it cost effective. I mean who would have guessed a mere decade ago we'd have phones that can do what they do today. technology is growing so fast, I just think it will become a reality.
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Post by bnsantaray on Feb 17, 2016 17:30:33 GMT -5
DCC....No DCC...etc
As a former trainman, operator and dispatcher on the CN I still like better to turn my switches manually....That is my choice
I have left the railroad in 2004 while everything was already computerised...So I have experience both manual and computer.
It is a choice for everyone
Happy railroading to all
Raymond Morrissette
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Post by toronado3800 on Aug 25, 2016 23:07:01 GMT -5
Boxcarwilly, DCC is only an option. Its great, you don't have to convert. Think of all the things in your life which you have heard will be the end of whatever though.
Some random thoughts.
For the same reason, cost, when it was time to rebuild or replace the carburetor on my 68, I spent $300ish on an AVS Thunder instead of a better fuel injection system. Fuel injection is better, but not cost effective for that car. $300 new carb vs $1500 or so for a new injection kit at the time(But injection is getting cheaper every day!)
On a similar note, I have $140, $90 something in my Z Scale locomotive and ~$40 in the DC controller. I figure its half the price of DCC and that is 100% why I'm DC.
The complicated part of DCC seems to be syncing the locomotives with the controller. I'm part of the computer generation so that won't ruin my evening.
The complicated part of DC is setting up wiring blocks and reversing polarity, ut I have had most of the wires off the 68 Ford so I am familiar with DC wiring.
Running multiple trains in DC is a challenge if you try get get any switching involved and I HAVE DONE IT WITH ONE CONTROLLER and a reversing switch! It rather reminds me of perfecting an old arcade game.
DC requires multiple controllers and blocks to really run two trains and starts cutting into DCC's cost disadvantage....
Think that's everything which is going to spill out of my brain right now.
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Post by zoinks007 on Feb 24, 2017 12:59:34 GMT -5
This seems to be an age-old argument, that newer isn't better, the old ways were best. But in the end it's what you're used to, or what you're willing to learn. For some, learning new things is difficult and "the way we've always done it" is best in their minds. For others, new technology offers new innovations and excitement.
I'm guilty. I've long lamented the decline of quality kits, the demise of Floquil (hello Tru-Color!). Half the fun was building the scenery.
But now I've discovered 3D printing, and all that's really happened is the way I model changed. Even better, I have complete flexibility with what I design versus building what someone else provided as a kit. So I choose to accept the change and look towards the innovations that can come from it.
As for DC versus DCC, that's an exciting option for me, and I just did purchase a Digitrax Evo 5 radio duplex unit and am converting several locos over. I was never really one for the ops, more for building. But this opens up a whole new vista for me. I'm especially exited to jump into building my own electronics (arduino), an even greater challenge.
So I hear what the old boys are saying, and I respect their wisdom and experience. I just don't agree any more. Times do change, and while some good things die off, other good things grow in their place. Different, but not necessarily worse or not worthwhile to explore.
Besides, with the terrific AZL drop-in board design, one can switch back and forth at will (forgetting for the moment the DCC decoder may work with DC...I've not tried it yet, waiting for my decoders to come in). Nicely done, Rob.
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Post by shamoo737 on Feb 24, 2017 14:43:44 GMT -5
TCS decoder will run on dc.
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Post by zoinks007 on Feb 24, 2017 15:15:12 GMT -5
TCS decoder will run on dc. True...I converted an MTL GP-35, since I had an MZA4 on hand. Reading the instruction page, it says you can, so I did. And it does.
I'm truly not impressed with the MTL locos, and I'm sad to say so. I have the GP-35 and the F7 A/B, and they're loud, a bit cranky, and nowhere as smooth as any of the AZL locos I have (SD70's, SD40's, Mikado, GP 9/30/38, and F3 A/B). The AZL locos are by far superior. I initially had trouble with one SD70ACe and one GP-30, but after re-seating the motor contacts and fully breaking in, they both went from zero to hero. It'll be AZL from now on...
DCC too. High time to modernize.
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Post by mrja on Feb 25, 2017 5:47:46 GMT -5
In fact, forget the windup trains, I'll just pull them around with a string. Greg But... how to manage through tunnels and bridges?
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Post by shamoo737 on Feb 25, 2017 18:06:00 GMT -5
I agree Greg. That's why I love this scale. It's challenging and you can do something that's never been done in z.
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Post by tjdreams on Feb 25, 2017 21:54:17 GMT -5
Joe, The availability of technology has never been the limiting factor in model railroading, as this thread would suggest, the user is. Mark So Very True.
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