Locomotive Dcc
Locomotive Dcc
Controllers For Model Trains
Over the past 100 years several methods of controlling electric model trains have developed.
The first and simplest method was the use a simple variable transformer as introduced by Lionel in 1906 to lower the Alternating Current [AC] voltage from the wall to a lower, safer value and allow the user to control the speed of a model Electric Train by changing the amount of AC power applied to the track. In the 1920's, Lionel included Remote Control reversing switches to allow the user to control the direction of the Model Train.
When Direct Current [DC] powered trains with permanent magnet motors were introduced, a different standard was developed for most two rail Train Tracks where the direction of trains were controlled by the polarity of the DC track power applied to the track.
In the late 1940's Lionel added a new concept of applying DC on top of the AC track voltage to turn on and off an on-board whistle by remote control. This concept of high frequency transmission was introduced in the Lionel Electronic Train Control. This system supplied ten different signals that would control ten different remote control effects. The different high frequency signals were superimposed on the standard AC power when selected buttons were pressed at the control center. Each remote engine or Rail Car was equipped with a receiver unit that was tuned to the individual frequencies. When the correct high frequency signal was transmitted, the corresponding receiver would toggle or turn-on some remote effect.
These high frequency signals increase the ability to remotely control various effects but they had other problems. Transmission losses were usually high and it was critically important to keep the track, the track joints and the wheels of the receiving car or locomotive extremely clean. However extra feeder wires to different parts of the track were used to prevent signal losses and placing capacitors across the track joints and adding inductors at the Power Supply and on each accessory being used assisted in reducing signal loss and in ensuring that all components of the model Train Layout operated properly. All this additional equipment however added to the cost, the complexity, and the maintenance for the model train operator.
Model train manufacturers have, over the years, introduced different methods of applying high frequency signals to the model Train Track to increase the remote control capabilities including independent train control which means that the operator can control the speed, direction and features of a number of different engines all on the same powered Track Section. With most DC and AC systems however, the biggest problem is that there are only a limited number of remote control signals possible and their application is slow by modern digital standards.
The application of digital technology uses remote control signals to carry digital signals to decoders in the engine for digital Command Control of locomotives and other accessories.
Digital Command Control (DCC) is a method of controlling individual engines, rail cars and accessories by transmitting digital remote control signals down the track to on-board digital receivers and decoders in the locomotives, wagons and other Rolling Stock and accessories.
DCC has been around since the 1970's but had not received wide acceptance because of the limited technology at the time and the difficulty and expense of installing receivers in each engine. With developments in digital technology these problems have diminished and over the last ten to fifteen years major model train manufacturers have produced several different versions of DCC. So many that unfortunately customers have been confused about which system is best.
Fortunately, in recent times, the National Model Railroad Association [NMRA] has established a preferred method of transmitting and receiving digital transmissions on model Train Layouts, based on the Lenz system developed in Germany and this is recognized as the accepted standard for DCC.
About the Author
Author: John Vanse John Vanse has several websites for model train enthusiasts. They can all be accessed through the key site at:
The Model Train Guide
For more specific information about DCC visit:
DCC for Model Trains
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Athearn Genesis HO Pennsylvania RR FP7 F7B Loco 9844A |  |
0 Bid | US $228.37 | 19m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS STEAM ENGINE KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN 2 10 2 DCC 220 | |
15 Bids | US $100.75 | 29m |
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Athearn HO Sandersville 1100 RTR SW1500 Locomotive 9 | |
0 Bid | US $95.70 | 1h 5m |
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Atlas N Soo Line 4509 GP38 2 Locomotive DCC Equipped | |
0 Bid | US $87.81 | 1h 10m |
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Atlas HO LN U23B Low Nose Locomotive 2720 DCC Ready | |
0 Bid | US $88.70 | 1h 45m |
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Athearn HO Rock Island SW1500 Locomotive 945 96677 | |
2 Bids | US $73.70 | 1h 48m |
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Athearn HO Montana Rail Link 51 SW1500 Loco DCC Quick | |
1 Bid | US $95.70 | 2h 5m |
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Walthers Proto 1000 Series HO CNW GP15 1 Loco 4408 DC | |
1 Bid | US $54.70 | 2h 11m |
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Athearn HO SW1500 Locomotive Rock Island 940 w DCC Qu | |
0 Bid | US $88.70 | 2h 16m |
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Atlas N Delaware Hudson GP38 2 Locomotive DCC 47679 | |
0 Bid | US $73.81 | 2h 21m |
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Atlas N Durham Southern GP38 2 Locomotive 47848 | |
0 Bid | US $87.81 | 2h 43m |
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Athearn HO Southern GP 40X Locomotive | |
1 Bid | US $60.00 | 3h 2m |
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Bachmann HO GE 70 Ton Diesel DCC Equipped Louisville Nashville Locomotive | |
0 Bid | US $49.00 | 3h 4m |
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HO Scale Atlas Master Locomotive Series U30C Phase 2 Locomotive CNW | |
2 Bids | US $75.00 | 3h 21m |
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Atlas HO Trainman® Plus NRE Genset Locomotive | |
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US $84.95 | 4h 27m |
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Atlas HO Trainman® Plus NRE Genset Locomotive NS 300 | |
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US $84.95 | 4h 44m |
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2 10 2 USRA LIGHT HO | |
0 Bid | US $50.00 | 4h 48m |
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Atlas HO Trainman® Plus Hobby Tyme HO NRE Genset Locomotive CFNR 501 | |
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US $89.95 | 5h 2m |
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Bachmann Spectrum T Boiler Shay Steam Locomotive Little River Logging DCC Rea | |
13 Bids | US $111.66 | 6h 30m |
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SANTA FE GP35 RTR LOCOMOTIVE DCC QPE EXCELLENT COND | |
2 Bids | US $32.00 | 7h 22m |
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Kato N Scale Union Pacific City of Los Angeles 11 Car Set 106080 106 080 UP | |
4 Bids | US $146.94 | 7h 28m |
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N Con Cor 0001 002103 Alco PA 1 diesel dummy A unit PRR Pennsylvania NIB | |
8 Bids | US $10.50 | 7h 29m |
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N Con Cor 0001 002043 Alco PB 1 diesel dummy B unit PRR Pennsylvania NIB | |
9 Bids | US $11.50 | 7h 33m |
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DREAM PLAN BUILD VIDEO SERIES WIRE YOUR LAYOUT FOR DCC N HO LAYOUT VOLUME 5 | |
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US $4.95 | 7h 37m |
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SANTA FE GP38 2 RTR LOCOMOTIVE VERY EXCELLENT COND | |
0 Bid | US $29.99 | 8h 15m |
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DENVER RIO GRANDE GP40 2 RTR LOCOMOTIVE VERY EXCELLENT COND | |
2 Bids | US $36.00 | 8h 23m |
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ATLAS DCC Ready GP 9 Norther Pacific N | |
0 Bid | US $45.00 | 8h 52m |
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LGB 26630 WHITE PASS YUKON DIESEL SWITCHER W LIGHTSNEW IN ORIGINAL BOX | |
1 Bid | US $185.00 | 8h 56m |
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Bachmann 64254 N ALCO RS 3 SOUTH 2137 W dcc NEW | |
5 Bids | US $38.55 | 9h 3m |
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Kato N 1763131 EMD SD45 Southern Pacific 8584 | |
13 Bids | US $52.00 | 9h 5m |
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Kato Powered DCC Ready Milwaukee Road EMD NW2 N Scale 176 4364 | |
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US $65.00 | 9h 10m |
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KATO 1760933 N GE U30C UP 2848 NEW | |
12 Bids | US $46.00 | 9h 11m |
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KATO 1760942 N Ge C30 7 ATSF 8040 NEW | |
14 Bids | US $44.95 | 9h 13m |
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KATO 1760941 N Ge C30 7 ATSF 8013 NEW | |
11 Bids | US $36.69 | 9h 14m |
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KATO 1760934 N GE U30C UP 2861 NEW | |
8 Bids | US $39.00 | 9h 16m |
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KATO 1760943 N Ge C30 7 ATSF 8040 NEW | |
13 Bids | US $45.75 | 9h 17m |
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Union Pacific Big Boy 4008 DCC Rivarossi 54398 | |
7 Bids | US $212.50 | 10h 29m |
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HO Proto 2000 Series GP9 II Locomotive PRR 7020 No 23618 | |
8 Bids | US $43.50 | 10h 29m |
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KATO HO SD80MAC LOCOMOTIVE IN CSX LIVERY | |
11 Bids | US $120.00 | 10h 32m |
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HO Proto 2000 Series E7 Locomotive PRR 5841 No 23061 A Unit w o Mars Light | |
7 Bids | US $76.00 | 10h 40m |
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Three Soundtraxx 28x40mm Speaker 8ohm 1wt with Enclosure Digitrax NCE DCC | |
4 Bids | US $11.50 | 10h 55m |
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Roco 63886 BLS SBB Re4 4 Electric Loco | |
3 Bids | US $132.32 | 11h 34m |
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NMJ SUPERLINE ME 2611 SIEMENS DISPOLOK DIESEL RARE N LEMACO | |
0 Bid | US $1,395.00 | 11h 47m |
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Bachmann GE 70 Ton Switcher Yellow Black Item 60607 NIB | |
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US $48.00 | 11h 48m |
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LGB MTS DCC System s 55005 5501550111 and 55051 | |
6 Bids | US $305.01 | 11h 51m |
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New HO Scale Bachmann 60810 GP30 Diesel Nickel Plate Road 905 DCC Equipped | |
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US $51.35 | 12h 4m |
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BachmannAlco FA 2 New York Central DCC Sound Item 64702 NIB | |
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US $91.25 | 12h 8m |
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ATLAS CLASSIC LOCO ALCO RS 3 CANADIAN NATIONAL NO NUMBER BRAND NEW | |
1 Bid | US $99.95 | 12h 16m |
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Marklin Trix 22801 New York Central Steam Locomotive | |
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US $450.00 | 12h 44m |
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New HO Scale Bachmann 60806 GP30 Diesel Baltimore Ohio BO road number 6936 | |
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US $51.35 | 12h 52m |
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Kato HO SD40 2 BNSF 6344 patch prototype custom paint detail DCC installed | |
0 Bid | US $249.99 | 12h 56m |
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Kato 176 4352 Santa Fe ATSF 2415EMD NW2 Diesel Switcher Locomotive | |
11 Bids | US $53.00 | 12h 59m |
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37607 MARKLIN HO TEE Diesel Powered Rail Car Train 2011 | |
0 Bid | US $899.99 | 12h 59m |
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37926 MARKLIN HO Freight Train Steam Loco CL 042 DB mfx | |
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US $419.99 | 12h 59m |
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HO Scale Proto 2000 SD60 Locomotive EMD 8302 | |
8 Bids | US $32.51 | 13h |
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Pennsylvania H 10 44 Proto DCC Sound | |
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US $189.95 | 13h 4m |
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New York Central NYC DCC FA1 and DCC FB1 Locomotives by Life Like | |
0 Bid | US $45.00 | 13h 5m |
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HALLMARK BRASS BOSTON MAINE FT AB 4215 SET POWERED W NEW CAN MOTORS KDs | |
0 Bid | US $149.99 | 13h 18m |
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Kato c44 9w Chicago NW lifesaver with DCC and coded | |
0 Bid | US $59.99 | 13h 25m |
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Kato N Scale Engine SPSF SD45 176 3122 | |
5 Bids | US $36.69 | 13h 29m |
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Atlas 4473 GE U23B 1613 SCL Seaboard System NIB diesel locomotive SBD DCC ready | |
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US $55.55 | 13h 30m |
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Broadway Limited Paragon 2 Series EMD SD40 2 Southern RR 3207 Tuxedo DCC wSound | |
1 Bid | US $90.00 | 13h 41m |
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Broadway Limited Paragon 2 Series EMD SD40 2 Southern RR 3209 Tuxedo DCC wSound | |
1 Bid | US $90.00 | 13h 46m |
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Proto1000 30570 HO Rock Island CRIP ALCO DL 109 621 no DCC or sound | |
2 Bids | US $73.47 | 13h 59m |
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Bowser Executive Line CNW Baldwin VO 1000 Diesel 1039 with SOUND NIB | |
0 Bid | US $189.95 | 14h 4m |
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Bowser CONRAIL Alco C 630 Diesel 6776 with Tsunami SOUND DC DCC NEW IN BOX | |
1 Bid | US $189.95 | 14h 7m |
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