If I were you I would get the ESU Cab Control system.

it is easy to use and modern.

If money is an issue, given your small fleet, you can get the basic Bachmann system also, but it has less growth potential.

Have fun.

I have been reading as much as much as I can about what DCC system to purchase for my new layout. I have seen many suggestions, but I would like to ask for quality reasons for each suggestion. It seems most people suggest either Digitraks or NCE. Perhaps a good comparison would be useful for new buyers. Just a thought...

Gary

So, you only have 2 engines.. How many engines to you imagine having in the near term? You seem like you might be able to skip DCC and go to Railpro. Something to think about.

Now, if you don't want to go with Railpro, I will throw MRC into the mix. MRC and NCE are both user friendly MRC has the dial on the control. Wireless option for both. Both have versions designed for Cell phone control (or computer interfaces.)

If you are technically minded, there are multiple less expensive options that require more electronics work. Like Sprog and DCC++

Received my NCE Powerhouse Pro back in September 1998 after being ordered in May. It has been reliable and done all I could want. Can't compare it to others since I haven't dealt with them. Just know it has been reliable and they still support it. Can't ask much more than that from my point of view.

 "I would like it so I can have two operators and being able to use a smart phone to do this would be awesome so me and my son can each control a train."

   If you have two phones the easiest ( and cheapest) way to go would be a Digitrax DCS51 Zephyr command station with a Digitrax LNWI wifi interface.  Just hook the Zephyr to the tracks and connect the LNWI and it's ready to go. You can download free throttle apps for the phones.. The Zephyr has plenty of power for a small to mid size layout....DaveB

Asking which DCC system is best is a bit of a religious question. I sold a lot of DCC systems between 2003 and 2015. Since I'm in the Atlanta area, Digitrax is the most common here by far because it used to be Digitrax's home. And a lot of us play on other modelers' layouts. So I can bring my Digitrax throttle with me. My MRC throttle (powers the test track upstairs) won't work on my Digitrax system that runs the layout in the basement. Neither of them can be used on my friend Chris' NCE system.

Please keep in mind the NMRA DCC Standard covers how the command station (the brains of the system) talks to the decoders in the engines. How the throttles talk to the command station is proprietary.

One factor that was in Digitrax's favor was slightly lower cost of entry than the others and somewhat lower cost of expansion. For people building large layouts (and modular clubs too) this can be very important. By cost if expansion I'm talking about throttles, plug-ins, and boosters.

I also prefer the small throttles with big knobs and actual toggle switches for direction control, especially when I'm switching. Throttles like the Digitrax UT4. They are also easier for guests and children to use, and cannot be used to screw up the programming of your locos and command station. (VERY IMPORTANT!!!!)

Cost of extra throttles is less of an issue now that it's easy to use smart phones as throttles. Digitrax makes thus easy to add to their system with the LNWF (LocoNet WiFi) adapter that plugs right into the Loconet (throttle bus). It only habdles four phones, but I gather you can use up to four LNWFs giving you 16 phone throttles. Their starter system, the Zephyr Xtra (DCS51) can only handle 20 throttles anyways. Their new big command stations can handle up to 240 throttles. I don't think I know that many people who I'd let in my basement....

The nice thing about the LNWF is it's a self-contained wifi hotspot. You don't need a separate router or give your guests access to your home's router. I'm sure the other systems will have something similar soon.

As I said I also have an MRC starter system. It works but I really do not like the throttle. Ergonomically it's upside down. It's hard to use the knob and hold the throttle at the same time, so you have to use both hands. The Digitrax, Lenz, and NCE throttles all have their knobs at or near the top, so you can one hand them. Also, if you have short on the layout the MRC throttle locks up and has to be unplugged for a couple seconds. Very irritating.

Lastly, don't bother with a Bachmann EZ-Command starter system for a permanent layout. Only allows you to use addresses 1 thru 9. Nuff said.

Scott Chatfield

DC or DCC http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32587#comment-324855

Thanks for all the input and not sure why when I posted this it made a second forum topic. Based on what I want and cost and I will be running 2 maybe 3 locos and thats it Im going to go with Digitirax Zephry an the wifi kit and control by phone while my son controls by his ipad.

Dan Pugatch
Freelance HO Scale Layout Breakwater Branch: Connecting the Maine Coast to the World set in the 1980s

If I could make one suggestion before you jump into Digitrax. 

What is dominant in your area. My one suggestion I always make when this subject comes up is don't be the odd ball and buy a system that 50 people tell you to buy. Buy one that you can get local support either a store that sells it or freinds or clubs that use it also. You don't want to run into an issue that you can not figure out, get fustrated and not use the system because of it. 

Now after saying all that, Digitrax sells good products, I own a lot of it. Read through the manual at least once, then plug the wires into it. I would also suggest one additional item if your able and that would be a PC connection. Either a PR4 or locobuffer. The manual will tell you how to program a locomotive, but you will have a lot more flexibility and fun using JMRI (especially with sound) even if you only have three engines it will be worth it. Now if you don't have a computer close by then this is sort of mute... 

Good advice Neil,

I emailed the local club to see what they use and my local shop walking distance from work.

I can use my Mac with JMRI just don't want a system where I have to use the computer to run trains.

Dan Pugatch
Freelance HO Scale Layout Breakwater Branch: Connecting the Maine Coast to the World set in the 1980s