Choosing a DCC system can be confusing, especially if you are new to digital model railway control. DCC-EX, Digitrax and NCE can all control DCC-equipped locomotives, but they take different approaches to throttles, wireless control, expansion and automation.
This guide explains those differences in plain English, including what equipment you actually need, whether DCC has to be expensive, and how to choose a system that suits the way you want to operate your railway.
Does DCC need an expensive controller? | Compare the systems | Which approach suits me?
Can I run DCC without buying an expensive controller?
Yes. Starting with DCC does not necessarily mean buying an expensive command station together with a dedicated handheld throttle.
Every DCC railway needs a command station to generate the DCC signal and provide suitable power to the track. Each locomotive you want to operate normally on DCC also needs a compatible decoder.
What varies between DCC systems is how the command station, throttle, wireless control and expansion hardware are provided.
Some systems are designed around dedicated physical throttles. Others can use a phone, tablet or computer as the control interface. With DCC-EX, for example, a compatible phone or tablet can be used as a wireless throttle, so purchasing a separate handheld controller is not necessarily required.
DCC-EX also gives you a choice between assembling a system yourself from compatible components or buying a ready-built command station. This means the amount you spend and the amount of technical work you undertake can be considered separately.
The important comparison is therefore not simply the price of the command station. It is what equipment you need to buy to operate your railway in the way you want.
What equipment do I actually need for DCC?
Whichever DCC system you choose, the basic requirements are broadly similar:
- A DCC command station to generate the DCC signal
- A suitable power supply for the command station and railway
- A way to control the trains, such as a physical throttle, phone, tablet or computer
- A DCC decoder in each locomotive you want to operate normally on DCC
The differences begin with how those components are packaged and how much additional hardware is needed for the particular type of control you want.
For example, a modeller who prefers a dedicated handheld throttle may value a system designed around physical controllers. Someone who already owns a suitable phone or tablet may prefer a system that can use that device as the throttle.
If you are completely new to DCC, our separate beginner guide explains the basic equipment in more detail:
What Do I Need to Get Started With DCC? →
DCC-EX vs Digitrax vs NCE: what is the difference?
DCC-EX, Digitrax and NCE all provide ways to control DCC model railways, but their approaches are different.
| Feature | DCC-EX | Digitrax | NCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| General approach | Open-source DCC system with DIY and ready-built options | Established proprietary DCC ecosystem | Established proprietary DCC system centred around dedicated throttles |
| Physical throttle required? | No. Compatible phones, tablets and other throttle options can be used | Dedicated throttle options are available within the Digitrax ecosystem | Dedicated handheld throttles are central to the traditional NCE approach |
| Wireless control | Available using suitable Wi-Fi-enabled DCC-EX hardware | Wireless options are available within the Digitrax ecosystem | Wireless throttle options are available with appropriate NCE hardware |
| DIY route | Yes. Can be assembled from compatible hardware | Primarily a commercial hardware ecosystem | Primarily a commercial hardware ecosystem |
| Ready-built route | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Computer integration | Supported, including integration with JMRI | Computer integration available with appropriate interfaces | Computer integration available with appropriate interfaces |
| Expansion approach | Can expand into accessories, sensors, servos and automation | Expansion through the Digitrax ecosystem and compatible products | Expansion through NCE system components and compatible products |
There is no single DCC system that is automatically right for every model railway. The important differences are how you prefer to control your trains, what equipment you already own and what you may want the railway to do later.
How does DCC-EX work?
DCC-EX is an open-source model railway control system. An EX-CommandStation generates the DCC signal used to control compatible locomotive decoders and accessories.
One of the differences compared with more traditional DCC systems is that the throttle does not have to be a dedicated proprietary handset.
With suitable Wi-Fi-enabled hardware, phones and tablets can be used as wireless throttles. Computer-based control and dedicated compatible throttle devices can also be used.
DCC-EX can therefore be approached in two different ways.
Modellers who enjoy electronics can build their own command station from compatible hardware. Those who prefer not to build the electronics themselves can use a ready-built DCC-EX command station.
This distinction is particularly useful when considering cost: DIY DCC-EX and ready-built DCC-EX solve the same basic problem but suit different people.
Can I use my phone instead of buying a DCC throttle?
With a suitable DCC system, yes.
A Wi-Fi-enabled DCC-EX command station can allow a compatible phone or tablet to act as the throttle interface. This means you can control locomotive speed, direction and supported functions without purchasing a separate traditional handheld throttle.
This does not mean the phone itself replaces the command station. The command station still generates the DCC signal and supplies the railway; the phone provides the controls you use to send instructions to it.
We explain this distinction in more detail here:
How Can I Control My Model Railway From My Phone? →
What is Digitrax?
Digitrax is a long-established commercial DCC system with its own ecosystem of command stations, throttles and expansion products.
It provides both wired and wireless control options and supports layouts ranging from relatively straightforward railways to larger systems using additional control and expansion hardware.
Digitrax may particularly appeal to a modeller who already owns Digitrax equipment or wants to build around its established hardware ecosystem.
As with any DCC system, the relevant cost is not necessarily the price of one component. It depends on the command station, throttles, wireless equipment and other hardware required for the particular layout.
What is NCE?
NCE is another established commercial DCC system and is particularly associated with its physical handheld throttles.
Systems such as the Power Cab provide a conventional handheld approach to DCC control, while NCE also offers additional equipment and wireless throttle options.
This approach may suit a modeller who prefers having physical controls in their hand rather than using a phone or tablet.
Again, the complete system should be considered when comparing cost. If additional throttles, wireless operation or interfaces are required, those form part of the overall setup.
Which type of DCC system should I choose?
Rather than beginning with a particular brand, it is useful to start by thinking about how you actually want to operate the railway.
If you prefer a dedicated physical throttle
NCE and Digitrax offer dedicated physical throttles, including wired and wireless options depending on the system and hardware chosen. This may suit you if you prefer tactile controls rather than operating trains from a phone or tablet.
DCC-EX can also be used with compatible dedicated physical wireless throttles, so choosing DCC-EX does not mean you have to use a phone or tablet.
If you want to use a phone or tablet
Consider how the system provides wireless connectivity and whether additional hardware is required. DCC-EX can provide direct Wi-Fi throttle control when used with suitable Wi-Fi-enabled hardware.
If you enjoy building electronics
DCC-EX provides a DIY route using compatible hardware, allowing you to assemble and configure your own command station.
If you do not want to build electronics
You do not have to choose the DIY route simply because you want to use DCC-EX. Ready-built command stations are available.
If you already own a DCC system
Existing throttles, interfaces and accessories can significantly affect the economics of changing systems. If your current equipment already does what you need, remaining with that ecosystem may make more sense than replacing working hardware simply to change brands.
If you want to experiment with automation
Consider how the system can interact with accessories, sensors, turnout control and computer or onboard automation before choosing your command station.
Does a cheaper DCC system mean fewer features?
Not necessarily.
The price of a DCC setup can reflect many things: the command station itself, whether a throttle is included, available track power, wireless hardware, displays, interfaces and expansion equipment.
A lower initial price therefore does not automatically mean fewer capabilities, just as a higher price does not automatically mean a particular system is more suitable for your railway.
This is why comparing only the advertised price of two command stations can be misleading.
For example, if you already own a suitable phone or tablet and choose a system that can use it as the throttle, you may not need to budget for a dedicated handset. Conversely, if you prefer physical controls, the cost of a dedicated throttle is part of obtaining the experience you actually want.
Compare the complete setup you need, rather than simply comparing the cheapest component from each system.
Do I need to replace my existing locomotives?
Not necessarily.
The DCC system you choose and the decoder fitted inside a locomotive perform different jobs. A locomotive with a suitable standards-compatible DCC decoder can generally be controlled by a compatible DCC command station.
If you currently have DC locomotives, many can be converted by installing a suitable decoder. DCC-ready locomotives normally provide a socket for this purpose, while older locomotives may require a decoder to be hard-wired.
We've covered the conversion process separately:
How to Convert a DC Model Railway to DCC →
Where does the CSB1 fit?
The CSB1 Ready-to-Run Command Station is ACI Model Railways' ready-built route into DCC-EX.
It is intended for modellers who want the flexibility of DCC-EX without assembling and configuring the command station hardware themselves.
- Ready-built DCC-EX command station
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 1.3-inch OLED display
- USB-C connectivity
- Compatible with standard DCC-equipped locomotives
- Can use compatible phones, tablets and wireless throttles
- Designed to support later expansion
- Available with or without a power supply, depending on the option selected
The CSB1 is therefore one way of using DCC-EX rather than a different DCC standard. A modeller who prefers to build their own EX-CommandStation can take the DIY route instead.
Can I expand my DCC system later?
Yes. You do not need to build your final model railway control system on day one.
A sensible approach is to begin with reliable locomotive control and add other functions when you have a reason to use them.
Depending on the system and hardware you choose, later expansion might include additional throttles, turnout control, servos, sensors, signalling, computer integration or automation.
DCC-EX also includes EX-RAIL, which can be used to create routes, sequences and automated layout behaviour.
If those possibilities interest you, see our expansion guide:
Expanding DCC-EX With Servos, Sensors and Automation →
Frequently asked questions
Can I run DCC without buying an expensive controller?
Yes. The total cost depends on the system and the way you want to control your railway. Some systems can use a phone or tablet instead of requiring a separate dedicated throttle, while DCC-EX also provides both DIY and ready-built approaches.
Do I need to buy a separate DCC throttle?
Not with every system. With suitable Wi-Fi-enabled DCC-EX hardware, for example, a compatible phone or tablet can be used as the throttle. Other systems may use dedicated wired or wireless throttles.
Is DCC-EX the same as DCC?
DCC-EX is a control system that generates standard DCC commands for compatible locomotives and accessories. It is an implementation of DCC control rather than a separate locomotive control standard.
Is DCC-EX only for people who build electronics?
No. DCC-EX can be assembled as a DIY project, but ready-built DCC-EX command stations are also available for modellers who do not want to build the hardware themselves.
Can I use standard DCC decoders with DCC-EX?
Yes. DCC-EX is designed to control locomotives fitted with compatible standard DCC decoders.
Do I need a power supply for DCC?
Yes. A DCC command station requires a suitable source of power. Whether the power supply is included with the command station depends on the product and option purchased. The CSB1 Ready-to-Run, for example, is available with or without a suitable power supply.
Can I control DCC from my phone?
Yes, with a system that supports phone or tablet control. A suitable Wi-Fi-enabled DCC-EX command station can communicate with compatible throttle software on a phone or tablet.
Which is better: DCC-EX, Digitrax or NCE?
They take different approaches rather than there being one system that is automatically right for everyone. DCC-EX offers DIY and ready-built routes with flexible network-based control; Digitrax provides an established hardware ecosystem; and NCE is well known for its handheld-controller approach. The most appropriate system depends on how you want to operate and expand your railway.
Choosing a DCC system
DCC-EX, Digitrax and NCE can all provide effective DCC control. The useful question is not simply which brand is "best", but which approach fits the railway you want to operate.
If you prefer dedicated physical controls, look carefully at the available throttle systems. If wireless phone or tablet control matters to you, compare what is required to provide it. If you enjoy electronics, a DIY route may be attractive; if you do not, choose a ready-built system.
And if cost is your main concern, compare the complete system rather than the command station alone. Include the power supply, throttle, wireless hardware and any other equipment you actually need.
You can start simply and expand later. There is no requirement to purchase every possible part of a DCC system before you can run your first train.
Interested in ready-built DCC-EX?
The CSB1 provides a ready-to-run DCC-EX command station for modellers who want to use DCC-EX without building the command station hardware themselves.