Since mid-2000 I have converted and subsequently used electrical control equipment for my model trains which complies with the NMRA's standards and recommended practises for Digital Command Control. I've been a keen follower (and on-and-off active contributor) to the original DCC Working Group and other DCC-related discussion forums since the mid-1990's.

DCC is sooooo much more useful and convenient than traditional 12 volt DC control systems, and it allows far more flexibility and ease of expansion that any other traditional control system can. The key aims of DCC are complience and interoperability. These aims ensure that any piece of equipment certified by the NMRA as complient with the DCC standards and recommended practices can operate with any other piece of equipment that is similarly certified, regardless of it's source.

DCC is not limited simply to locomotives either - just about anything can be controlled using DCC decoders from fundamentals such as turnouts to specialised items such as rail-mounted miniature track vacuum cleaners!

DCC Sites and Services Index

• - DCC sites and services in Australia, New Zealand and related regions,
  
• - DCC sites and services in Europe and related regions,
  
• - DCC sites and services in North America and related regions.

DCC Sites and Services in Australia and New Zealand

MRC carries an extensive range of electrical products and Digital Command Control equipment from Wangrow (makers of System One), North Coast Engineering, and Soundtraxx, just to name a few.

- I use the EasyDCC modular NMRA-complient DCC system from CVP Products as the control system for my HO-scale layout.

I have set up a local archive of PDF files and other related info for Australian and New Zealand users of EasyDCC. If you have any locally-based material about EasyDCC which you'd like to see linked from the page, please let me know.

DCC Sites and Services in Europe

Bernd Lenz was one of the instigators of the current DCC standards and recommended practises which were developed by the NMRA.

- UK-based company ZTC Controls is the only British manufacturer of an NMRA Compatible DCC multi-train control system.

All products are manufactured in the UK and will remain fully compatible with the existing ZTC equipment and other NMRA compliant DCC manufacturers' products and controllers will continue to support the old Hornby Zero One system.

DCC Sites and Services in North America

The wiring of a layout to suit DCC is quite different to the simple common-rail system conventionally used in traditional 12 volt DC powered layouts, but the ideas are very easy to understand and implement.

- If ever there was a store dedicated to the field of DCC, then Tony's Train Xchange in Essex Junction, VT is definitely it!

TTX stocks and supports an extensive range of DCC and related equipment, as well as developing their own specialised products such as the TTX Clean Machine, etc..

- Loy's Toys are another specialist, independent, dealer of DCC equipment. Loy's, like Tony's, have designed a range of their own unique products which enhance the overall DCC 'experience', along with supplying a whole range of items from other manufacturers.

Loy's are located in Wesley, AR.

- In downtown Ventura, CA, you'll find DLA DCC (DLA also operate DLA HO trains).

DLA sells the whole line of commercial DCC products, including powerpacks from Model Rectifier Corp (not usable in Australia) and the Atlas Master DCC System, through to decoders from TCS and other unusual products.

- CVP Products are the designers and manufacturers of the EasyDCC modular NMRA-complient DCC system. The EasyDCC command station was featured as a construction project in Model Railroader magazine during 1998.

EasyDCC components (command station, booster, throttles, etc.) are all available in either fully-assembled or kit form to cater for every modellers' differing electronics assembly skills.

- The Atlas Master DCC System from the Atlas Model Railroad Co. in Hillside, NJ is a complete, high quality range of commercial DCC products developed jointly by Atlas and Lenz.

Altas, who are renowned as makers of high-quality ready-to-run locomotives in N and HO scales, also produce certain loco models in their range pre-fitted with DCC decoders.

- Dallee Electronics manufacture a wide range of electrical products for rail modellers, including sound systems, throttles, signalling and automation equipment, strobes, lighting, etc.

Many of these products are designed to work (where applicable) with NMRA-complient Digital Command Control equipment, as well as stand-alone.

- North Coast Engineering in Webster, NY has been manufacturing DCC components and products since August 1993, and since then has been a continual innovator in the application of new manufacturing technologies in the model railroad control equipment industry.

The Atlas Master DCC System is a joint project between NCE and the Atlas Model Railroad Co., however NCE have always designed and manufactured in-house their own DCC products, particularly decoders.

- Wangrow Electronics, Inc. (formerly operated by the late Don Wangrow, now run by his family) in Park Ridge, IL, are the manufacturers of System-One, a fully NMRA-complient Digital Command Control system for model trains.

Wangrow Electronics also produces the EasyRamp software package for computer control of DCC installations.

It was very sad to learn of the passing of Don Wangrow in early 2003. Don was a pioneer in the DCC manufacturing field, and Don worked closely with Stan Ames and others in the NMRA DCC Working Group when the initial standards and recommended practises for DCC where being developed... Don's expertise and input to the future development of DCC as a mature part of the model railway hobby will be sadly missed.

- Digitrax is a US DCC equipment manufacturer, and are one of the leading suppliers of Digital Command Control equipment for the model railroad hobby.

The Digitrax LocoNet system is a component system that lets you choose which features you want for your model railroad operation. Digitrax LocoNet is designed to give you the command control system you want now with the ability to add future functionality that you are only dreaming of today.

- The Digital Sound Decoder from SoundTraxx is a state-of-the art module providing the benefits of today's DCC technology with the addition of high-quality, digital on-board sound.

Each DSD installs inside a locomotive and integrates a full featured digital sound system, sophisticated lighting effects and a DCC decoder into a single, miniature electronic module.

- As a maker of only high quality decoders and decoder harnesses for DCC, Train Control Systems (located in Blooming Glen, PA) sets themselves apart from all other DCC product makers.

TCS products are comparable to the best from the major DCC manufacturers, are generally low in cost because of the reduced overheads, and are available from all reputable, independent, DCC equipment suppliers.

- For the very best in model railway trackage, trackage components and related products, check out Railway Engineering.

Railway Engineering's turnouts are hand-made, of the highest quality, and can be made DCC-ready at the time of production. Quality trackwork is crucial for achieving the best performance of a DCC system.

- The National Model Railroad Association maintains the standards & RP's for DCC, as well as co-ordinating the NMRA DCC compliance testing for new and existing equipment.

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