DCC Projects & Applications [Paperback]

Mike Polsgrove (Author), David Popp (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2010

DCC Projects & Applications Vol. 2 answers questions about starting with or upgrading Digital Command Control equipment, selecting state-of-the-art gear, and installing and operating these new electronics. Based on the popular Model Railroader magazine column, DCC Corner, this volume focuses on actual readers problems and gives real-world solutions that apply to commonly available contemporary equipment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mike is the Model Railroader columnist upon which all the content is based, although he did not necessarily write all the columns. David is the editor who selected the which columns from past issues of Model Railroader for inclusion in the book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Company (March 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0890247749
• ISBN-13: 978-0890247747
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #594,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners - for the rest I'm not so sure, May 7, 2010

By 

Bastl "Bastl" (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DCC Projects & Applications (Paperback)

I am a fan of these Model Railroader Books and have collected many of them. I find the advice, layout and amount of information just right and they are a good read.
This is why I also bought this second part DCC book, especially since I am building my first DCC layout and have some wiring questions.
The book starts very interesting with just that: Advice on wiring techniques, converting DC to DCC layouts, how to change Turnouts to DCC and a troubleshooting guide if it did not work out. Some materials are also presented which are very helpful.
Unfortunately (to me) the book then drifts (like most other DCC books I have read) into Locomotive conversion projects and that covers a good part of the book: How to choose a decoder (does not everyone just look on the website of the decoder manufacturer??), what sound decoders are and how to programm decoders. This information is usually explained in the manuals provided with the decoders in great detail. I think one project would have been enough here, but not several in several scales.
A short explanation follows on programming and speed matching and software - but to me this part, is confusing. On one hand endless CV numbers are listed but why not dedicate one chapter instead showing how ONE locomotive is put through the entire process of programming it? If troubleshooting is offered for layout wiring, why not for putting in decoders?
After a lot of basics, suddenly every sentence is peppered with CV this and CV that just to admit in the end, that it is much easier just to alter the speed curve here and there using a Speedometer - which is indeed true and saves a lot of time.

In my view the book is definetly NOT a waste of money but in parts I find it too general, in other parts too detailed.
For a beginner this is a great book but in my view definetly only a starting point with further reading required, for someone who have already some experience a lot of it is already well known.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not much new and no depth, April 26, 2010

By 

Bernhard Rupp (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DCC Projects & Applications (Paperback)

I was somewhat disappointed by this booklet. It just describes very basic DCC functionality and installation (as other booklets do), but completely ignores any advanced topics such as computer interfacing, advanced block controls, asymmetric DCC and automation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Especially commended to the attention of intermediate to advanced model train hobbyists, April 17, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: DCC Projects & Applications (Paperback)

DCC Projects & Applications, volume 2 is a solid, hands-on guide for model train hobbyists to using Digital Command Control (DCC) in order to independently control multiple trains anywhere on their layout. From choosing a DCC system that suits one's needs, to converting a DC layout to DCC, to building a layout with DCC in mind, troubleshooting wiring problems, converting older brass and plastic models to DCC and more, DCC Projects & Applications, volume 2 is an excellent reference and resource, illustrating its descriptive text with full-color photographs and diagrams on almost every page. An excellent supplementary resource especially commended to the attention of intermediate to advanced model train hobbyists.