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DCC Ready? DCC Fitted? DCC21? What Does It mean?

DCC Ready? DCC Fitted? DCC21? What Does It mean?

DCC

 

In this article aimed at any one new to or thinking of switching over to DCC – Digital Command Control. We’ll cover what the terms used to describe DCC  that you see on locomotive packaging boxes, & what they represent. At the end of this article is a Glossary of other terminology of DCC related things.

 

 

 

On most models released by the ready to run manufacturers they now usually display on the packaging or sometimes on the underside of the model, if it’s DCC Ready or DCC Fitted. To any one new to the hobby or taking their first steps into the world of DCC controlled model railways, it can sometimes be confusing as to what these mean. So first off one often mentioned or displayed on the box (or Model ) is the wording:

DCC READY

Two example images on the right show DCC READY  logos often found on the model box. What this means is that the model is ready to be converted to run on a DCC controlled layout. The model has DCC decoder / Chip plug socket factory fitted with a blanking plug plugged into the socket. A model that is DCC READY will run fine on a traditional analogue controlled layouts.

To run a DCC READY model on a DCC controlled layout, you need to fit a decoder of your choice into the model. This in most cases involves removing the loco body to gain access to the DCC Socket. To convert to DCC you simply unplug the blanking plug & plug in the decoder, refit the loco body. Keep the blanking plug if wanting to convert the model back to traditional analogue control.

Most models that are listed as just ‘DCC READY’ are uusally fitted with an 8 pin DCC plug socket (6 or 4 pin on N gauge models). Bachmann earlier DCC ready models didn’t have DCC READY listed on the outside of the box, but these ones were usually fitted with an 8 pin decoder socket.

 

So to recap DCC READY: Loco ready to be converted to DCC (Needs a DCC Decoder / Chip plugging in).

 

So what about models factory fitted with a DCC decoder? These usually come with the wording on the box or on the underside of the model:

DCC FITTED OR DCC ONBOARD

This means the model has been fitted with a DCC decoder at the factory & for use on DCC controlled layouts. However most DCC Fitted / DCC Onboard models come with a blanking plug so can be converted back to run on traditional controlled layouts.

The image on the right shows DCC Fitted wording often found on the model boxes or on the underside of the model.

 

 

 

You will also see models with the following wording either on the box or on the underside of the model:

  • DCC 6

  • DCC 8

  • DCC 21

  • NEXT 18 DCC

  • 21 MTC

These are DCC Ready models  with the wording telling you what type decoder it requires fitting by the modeller to run on DCC. So DCC 6 means it needs a six pin decoder, DCC 8 needs a 8 pin decoder, DCC 21 needs a 21 pin decoder. Most models in OO / HO scale usually take either a 8 or 21 pin DCC decoder. N gauge or smaller OO/HO scale models taking a 6 pin decoder.

A number models are now taking a 21 MTC type decoder. Basically looks similar to the DCC 21 pin Decoder but the MTC 21 type decoder originally designed for sound functions & more other features. Note not all MTC 21 Decoders are sound decoders.

Next 18 DCC has been produced by other decoder manufacturers but is a new one now being rolled out by Bachmann into it’s range. These are similar size to the DCC 6 pin decoders but offer more features & functions than the DCC 6 pin.

 

 

 

To give you an idea what these types of decoders look like see the photos on the right hand side:

  • DCC 6 ( 6 pin DCC decoder photo one right )

  • DCC 8 ( 8 pin DCC decoder photo two right )

  • DCC 21 & MTC 21 DCC ( 21 pin / MTC 21 decoders photo three right )

  • NEXT 18 DCC ( Next 18 DCC decoder photo four right )

  • Sound Decoder ( Photo five right )

  •  Dual 8 pin / 21 pin decoder ( will fit both 8 pin & 21 pin decoder sockets – photo six right )

 

One example question that people new to DCC sometimes ask is: Does my Hornby loco only work with Hornby Decoders? Or Does my Bachmann loco only work with Bachmann decoders?

All makes of locos will or should work with any brand of DCC decoder that has been rated & approved by the NMRA (National Model Railroad Association). The NMRA have set a standard that DCC manufacturers work to which ensures full compatibility between all or most makes of DCC controllers / decoders etc. The image on the right is usually found on all items that have met the standard & approved by the NMRA.

So the answer to the question is that regardless the brand of model, they’ll work with any make of decoder. To give you an example i have Hornby, Bachmann locos fitted  with decoders by Gaugemaster, TCS, Lenz, Zimo, Hornby, Bachmann, ESU as well as other brands.

 

What if my loco dosen’t have a DCC socket?

If you have an older model loco that doesn’t have a DCC socket, then the decoder with have to be hard wired into the model. You can either hardwire the decoder in directly.  Or by convert the model into a DCC ready by way of wiring in a decoder plug socket. Thus then allowing you simply plug in the decoder in the same way that a DCC ready model comes supplied straight from the factory.

 

 

 

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2 Comments

  1. ourmick

    Attachment

    Once again, Iain says it as it is… and quite clearly. It’s a very handy reference !!
    Otherwise, the only BAD news was the mention of having to remove the Bodywork on the relevant piece of Rolling Stock. YIKES !!
    (Most people with newer Stock will have probably have noticed that it’s not always the actual Loco that houses the “Works” )

    It may be interesting to note that way back in 2015, Bachmann produced the S8 London Underground “Tube” Stock for the London Transport Museum, and access to fit a 21-Pin Decoder does NOT require taking the powered vehicle apart… it is easily found on the underside, as seen in the attached photo. If their later Models all have this capability, then they are on to a Winner for DCC Fans.

    • Iain

      Very good point that Mick. A lot of the USA outline models have the set up you mention with easy access for DCC decoder fitting. Something i think should be done on UK models. Would certainly be a good help for any one not to sure on how to do body removals for fitting DCC decoders.

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