You can actually create your own programs, and cause the trains to move realistically. This is great for train shows and public displays, and is a model train operator’s dream. There are a few different systems out there, some of them better than others, but since many people are just starting out with their DCC systems, so let’s do a DCC controller comparison, starting with the lowest end system out there.

Atlas Commander: For those who are novices in DCC operation, this will work great. Featuring eight function keys, this device can deal with seven cabs. You cannot program on the fly however, which will disappoint some people. Again though, this is for beginners and those who do not want to deal with a highly complicated system.

Zephyr: This is also a popular system, and quality is just what you will find in all Digitrax DCC decoders. It has two jump ports that allow DC power packs to be connected, which is something that many other DCC decoders lack. If you wish to use a computer, then you can connect it using LocoNet in conjunction with Locobuffer II.

Prodigy: The NCE Lite has a rating of 3.5 amps and has the ability to connect to another cab bus. Right now though you will only find one handheld controller for it. Luckily the system does have a cooling fan, unlike some. So let’s face it, we like building things, but needing to build a cooling fan for DCC is just irritating. This device comes with 19 functions keys.

To add to the realism it helps to have a DCC sound system. There are a few different types, some of which can include realistic sounds, and of course the standard train horn. Many of the sounds are recordings of trains in the real world, or even museum bound locomotives from ages past. If you are building a historical scene, there’s nothing better than having sounds reminiscent on a 1900′s locomotive barreling through town. Mind you if you are recreating a mid twentieth century setting, you may not have sound at all because citizens in Florida deemed the train horn to be a nuisance and without purpose. That however, is another story for another day, and an amusing one at that.

These are a few DCC systems available including Atlas Commander, Lenz systems, NCE Power Pro, Digitrax DCC systems, and you no doubt find one that suits your needs. Just remember to shop within your experience level, and of course keep your power requirements in mind. You can always upgrade later!

A digital tyre inflator should be absolutely top of every motorists shopping list for addition to their motoring toolbox. Let’s face it, I am sure that everyone who has ever had a flat tyre, has gone to look at their spare, only to find that it was flat as well, at some stage in their motoring career.

If you had a lightweight device that would fit into a tiny cubby hole, like a glove box, and was powered by your onboard cigarette lighter, you would be laughing, especially in the face of a dead tyre. Well that is exactly what a digital tyre inflator is and does. It is a potential life saver.

A good tyre inflator is a doddle to use. You can inflate your tyre to the correct pressure in minutes. It is simply a case of setting the correct psi on the gauge, and then letting it rip. You need to know the correct tyre pressure of course, but that is usually a case of digging out your repair manual which will have the information you want in it.

Failing that, just use the Internet. It is ideal for discovering facts like this. Even if you cannot find the answer, just set up the question at somewhere like Yahoo answers and someone out there is bound to know and be able to tell you.

If you have ever had to pump up tyres using a conventional pump, you will find a digital tyre inflator an absolute Godsend. There is so little effort involved on your part, you would hardly believe it. Some units are said to be a little noisy, but for a five minute job to get you out of a hole, I don’t think that you can go wrong. I have also heard that some units do vibrate quite a bit as well. If your unit does this, you might need to hold it whilst it works, but again, for a quick and easy result to a potentially disastrous problem, you cannot go wrong with this little gadget.