Digital Command Control
If you’re building a new layout, the easiest train control you can install is a Digital Command Control (DCC) system. This type of control system allows you to run multiple trains on the same track with no special wiring. As long as your locomotives are equipped with DCC decoders, they can run on any DCC-powered layout.
There are many other benefits to using DCC, some of which I took advantage of on our project railroad. You can power switch frogs with automatic polarity-changing circuits, simplifying wiring. And with a few more components, you can even control your turnouts with your DCC system, too.
Throttle pockets: To hold the throttles when not in use, I installed holders called Throttle Pockets from New Rail Models. While these accommodate most DCC throttles as is, the new Digitrax DT602 throttle is thicker and doesn’t fit the plastic holder. As shown, I added strips of ½" MDF to the fascia behind the holder to get enough depth.
DCC system: For our layout, we chose a Digitrax Evolution Xpress Advanced Starter Set. It includes a base station, power supply, throttle, cab bus panel, and necessary cables. This full-function DCC system is easy to set up following the instruction manual. At 5 amps, it provides enough power to run any locomotive our layout will ever use.
Throttle bus: The throttles talk to the Digitrax DCC system’s LocoNet using a cab bus equipped with plug panels. The starter set includes one UP5 plug panel, which I mounted to the fascia and connected to the base station. I added a second UP5 panel to the opposite side of the layout and will likely add a couple more for convenience.
Frog power: I used Tam Valley Depot Frog Juicers to power all the turnout frogs. These are auto-reversing modules that connect between the DCC system power bus and the feeders to the frog. When a locomotive enters the frog, the Frog Juicer checks the polarity. It then automatically aligns it if there’s a mismatch, allowing the locomotive to make a smooth trip through the turnout. The connections are easy to make using screw terminals, and the Frog Juicers come in different sizes for 1, 2, or 6 frogs powered from a single circuit board. With the track and control system in place, I took some time to enjoy running a few trains around the layout. Next month we’ll dig into the scenery work, which will really bring our layout to life!