I've just been looking at the Lenz website and I've come across the idea that DCC can be used to couple and uncouple locos and rolling stock. Assuming that I've read this right, it would obviate the need for decoupling magnets at certain locations around the board and would greatly enhance shunting in a goods yard. The difficulty would be how the mechanics of this would work on the locos and wagons. If it's possible however, it would definitely be 8).
Somebody in the 2 mm Scale mob has "DCCed" (is that a word?) some DG couplings. Notwithstanding getting the couplings to work via DCC (do-able but not simple) the other issue that you would need to have a decoder to actuate the (un)coupling. Whilst the locos will be fitted with a chip that could have an auxillary function(s), to operate a coupling you may need one function per coupling (front and rear). The same could also apply to rolling stock too, so wherever you wanted to devide a train you would need to have DCCed couplings and a chip in each wagoneach side of where you wanted to uncouple. Even using 'finction only' chips (more often used to controll internal train lighting and such like) fitting every item of rolling stock with a 2 function chip (one of each coupling - add more functions if you wanted coach lighting, etc) could get a little costly, and the modification to all the DG couplings (or cost of buying DCCed couplings) on all the stock may be offputting.
Also as the number of 'active' chips goes up there may be issues with the current output from the controller not being sufficient, but boosters should overcome this. Another issue might be that with things like points and other accessories also actuated by decoders you could soon start to run out of addresses or exceed the number that a single controller can handle at once.
So whilst it is a good idea I can see it being a little impractical for a large layout and / or a large ammount of rolling stock, and may be a nightmare to operate (working out which number decoder you needed to change each point and work each coupling and drive the loco too) but wonderful to watch.
If you use couplings that have a delay action - like the DG couplings - you can uncouple using the electromagnet then propell the stock through pointwork into a siding and, once the rest of the train pulls away, 'park' stock wherever you like, not just over the electromagnet. Therefore a fan of sidings just needs one magnet (not one per siding), and don't forget the uncoupling magnet can also be controlled by DCC.
Quote from: JulienW on November 10, 2011, 18:00
So whilst it is a good idea I can see it being a little impractical for a large layout and / or a large ammount of rolling stock, and may be a nightmare to operate (working out which number decoder you needed to change each point and work each coupling and drive the loco too) but wonderful to watch.
Many thanks for those comments, Julien. You make a number of important points, all of which deserve serious attention. I must admit that, after I submitted the post in a fit of boyish enthusiasm, I realised that the cost implications of every item of rolling stock being fitted with a chip would incur considerable expense. However I have not been put off the idea completely. For example, I intend to use the coaches in sets: 1 x 3 bogie-coach set, 1 x 2 bogie-coach set and 2 x 5 4-wheel coach sets. Therefore it would only require 8 chips for this system to work for the passenger stock (by the way, would I be right in thinking that a 2 function chip would only be able to handle a coupling at either end and that it would require a 4 function chip to have lighting within the coach and a red light tail lamp at either end or have I misunderstood the system?).
Admittedly 8 chips is still expensive but it would avoid the forward/backward action seen on some layouts in trying to locate the magnet and would mean one less assault or more on the baseboard in fitting effective electromagnets.
However I will research the propelling and parking method using an electromagnet. I have heard of this but haven't seen it in action. I shall be going to Warley next week; perhaps there'll be someone there demonstrating it.