Digital Command Control - the comprehensive guide to DCC

the comprehensive guide to DCC

Plot

ReviewThe book's authors, who are well qualified on the subject having been involved with NMRA in establishing the DCC standards, have wisely written in an easy to read style which provides an excellent description of how DCC works...Whether you are a novice or an experienced DCC user you will find this book invaluable. -- Frank Pearsall, Rail Line News October/November 1998, p37This book and the DCC standards are the result of thousands of hours of volunteer and professional effort. To those who worked long and hard to develop our standards, and to the authors of this book, all modelers owe a debt of gratitude. -- Robert W. Charles, President National Model Railroad Association, Foreward DCC Book, 199907This softcover book is an excellent reference that explains Digital Command Control...With the growing popularity of DCC, this important book answers a lot of questions for modelers working in any of the popular scales. -- Jim Hediger Model Railroader, November 1998, p54From the AuthorWe are in the midst of a microprocessor technology revolution. Capabilities that formerly required expensive, multiple integrated circuits are now available as a single chip microcontroller costing only a few dollars. These chips enable control of numerous devices since custom software can be programmed in. These microcontrollers allow manufacturers to develop products to precisely control locomotives -- as well as lights, sounds, switch motors, and other devices on the layout. This in turn has opened up a whole new dimension to model railroad operation, which is the basis for attracting the next generation of model railroaders. And we are only at the beginning of this journey. As the information technology revolution continues more powerful microcontrollers with lower costs and more features will be available for use by the model railroad hobbyist. This trend towards more capabilities at lower costs is projected to continue long into the future.New inventions are difficult to explain to those not familiar with the technology employed. Digital Command Control (DCC) is no exception, and this is the fundamental reason for the preparation of this book. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate and comprehensive information regarding DCC technology.Historically, technical advances suffer from erroneous reporting. When the first steam locomotive was unveiled, it was widely -- and erroneously -- reported that the human body could not survive speeds above 29 miles per hour. Reports of the first Model T automobile included predictions of social upheaval due to speed, accidents, and death. Recently, claims have been published stating that cellular telephones might cause brain cancer.Following this historical trend, errors and misconceptions about DCC sometimes arise. This often results in confusion about the benefits of this new technology and often makes DCC look much more difficult or expensive than it actually is. Our intent is to clarify these misunderstandings and dispose of myths surrounding the use of DCC technology.This book's emphasis is educational. It is not written for entertainment, and does not contain beautiful color photographs of gorgeous scenery or superbly detailed locomotives. But knowledge it does have -- and lots of it! With careful reading and reasonable thought, everyone can become well-versed with this new form of model railroad control. We hope you enjoy the information.NMRA DCC and this book are the result of a community effort. Since 1992 the DCC community (manufacturers and model railroaders alike) has worked long and hard to bring forth a high quality, multi manufacturer, modern model railroad control system. DCC would never have evolved without their efforts. We are all indebted.From the Back CoverYou climb up in the cab check your brakes, turn on your headlight, sound the horn and nudge your throttle into notch one. Your multi-unit consist with 21,000 horsepower begins to growl as it slowly accelerate