....  DCC it is!

But, I thought Meifford was all set up as DC; CAB control etc. and was running pretty well. DCC was dismissed as not suitable? Well yes ....

I had though, when I first started the layout, bought and built the MERG DCC units - that's the command station (CANCMD) and the handset (CANCAB). It was never used or really tested as I couldn't seem to get the handset properly working.

This winter, plus our curfew meant that I started looking at things again. I got all the locos working well, ensure all the couplings were all the right heights, pulled out the loco kit that had been waiting for about two years and then came across the DCC stuff.

Part of the reason it didn't get used was as above, part was that I didn't think I could get a decoder into the miniscule space available in the 0-16.5 locos I have. Time on my hands though, plus a post on the MERG forum elicited a solution for the DCC setup. In the end nothing more than the command wires back to front between the command station and handset (they could communicate, that was all). All proved when I borrowed a DCC fitted HO loco from a friend.

Now, having seen the superb control, especially slow speeds from this combo, just got me thinking...

One decoder later ( a Digitrax one) and Loco No.7 (Bronwyn) as the guineapig had me thinking some more. The control over the Hornby 0-4-0 chassis fitted was pretty amazing. Having also now discovered LaisDCC decoders, which at 10mm x 9mm x 3mm should fit most things, there is the possibility of change at Meifford.

The cost to change is minimal (there's a probably maximum of 10 locos to fit out), just work to ensure a good supply to the layout.

Loco No.2 is also ready for a change-over - pictured here with the decoder -

If this works just as well, then who knows ... double-heading, prototypical run-round at the station, changing locos.

Anybody want a pair of Modelex controllers - excellent condition??