We look to the enthralling world of Digital Command Control. MARK CHIVERS considers some of the terminology and jargon you may encounter along the way answering some of the most frequently asked questions.
Above: Digital Command Control opens up huge potential for model railway operation on layouts big and small, but there is new terminology to be learnt. This is Hornby Magazine’s ‘OO’ layout Twelve Trees Junction at the 2017 Great Electric Train Show.
DIGITAL COMMAND CONTROL (DCC) continues to gain popularity and as it does so, we receive regular correspondence to the Hornby Magazine office regarding this aspect of the hobby, requesting clarity on some of the terminology used.
In its simplest form, digital operation offers a more targeted control experience, enabling you to select a specific locomotive or multiple unit from your fleet to operate. With analogue operation you control the Direct Current (DC) power feed to the track, but this results in all locomotives (unless isolated) moving at the same time and in the same direction.
So how does Digital Control work? With DCC, the track is constantly powered from a Digital Command Station (power controller). The sophisticated circuitry within this control system can transmit el…
