DC/DCC
DC (Direct Current) and DCC (Digital Command Control) are two ways in which to power your model railway. This section is dedicated to the varied world of both as we try to demystify one of the most debated subjects in railway modelling.
A guide to DCC decoders
Here are the most popular DCC decoder options for your model railway…
By Howard Smith | 30 August 2023
10 things you should know about DCC
Digital Command Control (DCC) is one of the most popular methods for model…
03 November 2022
How to animate a shunter
Hornby's attractive, versatile shunter is proving popular with modellers and…
20 September 2021
How to fit and program a DCC point motor
Fitting point motors used to mean lots of time-consuming wiring and soldering,…
17 September 2021
Smartphones and DCC: The changing face of connectivity
DCC users are increasingly swapping traditional DCC handsets for smartphones…
17 September 2021
Wiring your model railway: top tips
When it works, we ignore its existence, when it doesn’t, we can be tempted to…
06 September 2021
How to DCC Chip a SPUD
This popular ready-to-run motor bogie of 1980s design has driven many…
By Phil Parker | 31 August 2021
Ask Phil: Wiring a crossover
I am expanding the Hornby Family Fun project for my grandson. My aim is to have…
By Phil Parker | 16 July 2021
How to design a control panel for your model railway
Switches, wires, lights and push buttons combine in these often-complex spaces.…
17 June 2020
How to fit a DCC uncoupler
Tired of manually uncoupling your rolling stock on a shunting layout? We install…
04 April 2020
The BRM guide to decoder CVs
Fine-tuning a digital decoder to suit driving or operating requirements can seem…
21 August 2019
How to wire a reversing DC loop
Adding a return loop to your layout increases operational flexibility, but can…
29 July 2019
DCC control for model railways: all you need to know
Dispelling the myths of Digital Command Control – how it works, what it's for,…
23 May 2019
DCC and computer control: all you need to know
We explain why computer control can make operation of your DCC layout easier,…
14 April 2019
How to set up a DCC decoder
Setting up a DCC decoder properly can be simple, as as we prove in this…
24 October 2018