posted
I have been doing some testing, and have come to realize DCC controlled couplers are a hot topic. Now, to further my research, I need some info from the people: Do you want them? If so, how much would you pay for them? Would you want just engines, or decoders and couplers in every car you own? Please help me out with this, and help yourself as well.
Jared
Posts: 61 | From: New London, CT, USA | Registered: May 2001
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posted
DCC couplers are a great Idea. However I do not see with the present set up of DCC how there is eneugh addressing capability for your locomotive fleet and your rolling stock fleet. I own 50 Locomotives, and nearly 400 freight cars. and more get added each month. The logistics of equiping it with DCC couplers are staggaring. Also, I can tell you from talking with modelers in my local area, the price is going to have to be the same or lower per pair as that of Kadee couplers. THe modelers in question are HO scalers with one G scaler. As for locomotive only installation I can see it being feasable as you can just make them controlable functions. But then what do you gain from being able to uncouble the locmotive consist from the train any old where?
Posts: 315 | From: Lander,WY USA | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
This would be something targeted mainly towards layouts with large staging capacity, where a train is run into a hidden yard, the engines uncoupled, and then the engines come out with a different train, also very usefull for running around a passenger train at a terminal. For now, this will be locomotives only, until addressing is available in the capacity to handle cars as well. Also, this would be something where either you buy the engine equiped, or send it to be retrofitted. Not very easy to install, and due to setup, not recommended for self-install. Pricewise, unless I can find cheaper suppliers, it will cost me around $10 per coupler to build these things, so they would be priced retail accordingly.
Jared
Posts: 61 | From: New London, CT, USA | Registered: May 2001
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posted
In those instances I might be interested. But Alot of people in my geographic area have been using Kadees since before Flex track was invented and there might be some resistance to them. Also a locomotive limited application the concept will be kept in the minority with the greater flexibility of conventional Knuckle couplers.
Posts: 315 | From: Lander,WY USA | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
How about an infrared activated coupler? Have a beam with a single standard code that can be emmitted from your DCC throttle, like a TV remote, the code just to prevent room lights from false activation. Then you would just point your throttle at the coupler you want to release, push the button, and bingo! The only problem is cost, since you wouldn't be using DCC addresses, just pulling power from the rails. Hey, when I started college, computers still used punch cards. We might see it some day!
Posts: 35 | From: Alhambra, CA USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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