Hello RRRich.Digital Command Control is a very complex system for making model rairload wiring extreamly simple, yet model train operations dynamicly complex at the same time. The way it works defies the 25 word explanation you wish. I reccomend that you read the Railroad Model Craftsman Series "DCC Demystified" by Don Fignman or the Digitrax Big Book of DCC to fully grasp how it works.
Digital Command Control is by far a superieor wiring system for when the preferred method of train control is walking along following your train along like an engineer and commanding its movements in up close and personal manner like a real train crew. This is how I estimate at least 85% of model train layouts are ran, and thus the ideal system for these modelers.
If you like to sit at a central panel and control your trains by twisting nobs, throwing swtiches, ect, in a manner more consistent wiht that of a dispatcher, Conventional DC Block Control lends its self to wiring up for this pattern of operation quite nicely.
As for wheather you still need to wire your layout into blocks or sections, that answer is a both yes and no. Basicly, if you have a large layout, or "reversing sections" like Wyes, or reverse loops, You will probabbly need some blocks. Actually for the "reversing sections" you will have to block those off and power them by a separate booster, there is no way around that, But for a larger layout, breaking it up into sections and having each section powered by a different booster prevents the whole railroad from shutting down if there is a problem, and thus allowing you to more quickly isolate the problem.
Is it more expensive? Not really. After you compare what it takes to wire up a modest size model railroad for walk around control, after you throw in the cost of toggle switches,power packs with walk around throttles, and the assorted circutry componets to make it all work, it comes out a wash pretty much.
I hope I have been helpful.
James
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