Parts and tools
What the projects need
The generic tools and parts our guides call for, each with the guides that use it. The links search Amazon.co.uk so you can compare what’s available — we don’t recommend particular products. For DCC-specific items such as decoders, check the guide and the maker’s compatibility list first.
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DCC basics 4 items
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Insulated rail joiners, or a fine saw to cut gaps
Used in: How to set up a DCC programming track
Search Amazon for insulated rail joiners -
Optional: double-pole switch if the track is part of the layout
Used in: How to set up a DCC programming track
Search Amazon for DPDT toggle switch -
Twin wire for the feed
Used in: How to set up a DCC programming track
Search Amazon for twin core wire model railway -
Wire strippers
Used in: How to set up a DCC programming track
Search Amazon for wire strippers
Decoders & CVs 7 items
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Double-sided foam tape
Used in: How to fit a decoder to a loco with a 6-pin NEM 651 socket; How to fit a decoder to a loco with an 8-pin NEM 652 socket
Search Amazon for double sided foam tape -
Kapton or insulating tape for exposed metal
Used in: How to fit a decoder to a loco with a 6-pin NEM 651 socket; How to fit a decoder to a loco with an 8-pin NEM 652 socket
Search Amazon for kapton tape -
Magnifier
Used in: How to fit a 21MTC, PluX or Next18 decoder; How to fit a decoder to a loco with a 6-pin NEM 651 socket
Search Amazon for magnifying head lamp -
Magnifier
Used in: How to fit a decoder to a loco with an 8-pin NEM 652 socket
Search Amazon for magnifying glass with light -
Small screwdrivers
Used in: How to fit a 21MTC, PluX or Next18 decoder; How to fit a decoder to a loco with a 6-pin NEM 651 socket; How to fit a decoder to a loco with an 8-pin NEM 652 socket
Search Amazon for precision screwdriver set -
Tape measure
Used in: How to speed match DCC locomotives
Search Amazon for steel tape measure -
Tweezers
Used in: How to fit a 21MTC, PluX or Next18 decoder; How to fit a decoder to a loco with a 6-pin NEM 651 socket
Search Amazon for fine tip tweezers
Computer control 8 items
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2.5 × 5.5 mm DC socket to screw terminal adapter
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for DC barrel jack screw terminal adapter -
Arduino Mega 2560 or compatible (Uno R4 is not supported)
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for Arduino Mega 2560 -
Arduino power supply, 7–9 V DC tip-positive (not needed with the EX-MotorShield8874)
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for 9V DC power supply 2.1mm -
Craft knife and a multimeter
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for digital multimeter -
Motor driver: Arduino Motor Shield Rev3 or DCC-EX EX-MotorShield8874
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for Arduino motor shield rev3 -
Track power supply, 12–16 V DC (voltage to suit your scale)
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for 12V 5A DC power supply -
Twisted pair wire, 18–16 AWG
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino
Search Amazon for 18 AWG twin wire -
USB A-to-B cable
Used in: How to build a DCC-EX command station with an Arduino; How to connect JMRI to your DCC layout
Search Amazon for USB A to B cable
Detection & feedback 8 items
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Infrared obstacle/beam-break sensor modules or Hall-effect sensors
Used in: How to add infrared and Hall-effect sensors to DCC-EX
Search Amazon for IR obstacle sensor module -
Insulated rail joiners or a razor saw
Used in: How to install block occupancy detection on a DCC layout
Search Amazon for razor saw model railway -
Jumper wires
Used in: How to add infrared and Hall-effect sensors to DCC-EX
Search Amazon for jumper wires male female -
Multimeter
Used in: How to install block occupancy detection on a DCC layout
Search Amazon for digital multimeter -
Optional: MCP23017 I/O expander
Used in: How to add infrared and Hall-effect sensors to DCC-EX
Search Amazon for MCP23017 I2C expander -
Small magnets for Hall sensors
Used in: How to add infrared and Hall-effect sensors to DCC-EX
Search Amazon for small neodymium magnets -
Terminal strips
Used in: How to install block occupancy detection on a DCC layout
Search Amazon for terminal block strip -
Wire in two colours
Used in: How to install block occupancy detection on a DCC layout
Search Amazon for 22 AWG hook up wire
Points & accessories 6 items
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Hook-up wire in several colours
Used in: How to control points with a DCC accessory decoder
Search Amazon for hook up wire kit 22 AWG -
Insulated rail joiners or a razor saw
Used in: How to wire a DCC reverse loop with an auto reverser
Search Amazon for razor saw model railway -
Multimeter
Used in: How to wire a DCC reverse loop with an auto reverser
Search Amazon for digital multimeter -
Small screwdriver for terminal blocks
Used in: How to control points with a DCC accessory decoder
Search Amazon for precision screwdriver set -
Twin wire
Used in: How to wire a DCC reverse loop with an auto reverser
Search Amazon for 16 AWG twin wire -
Wire strippers
Used in: How to control points with a DCC accessory decoder
Search Amazon for wire strippers
Wiring & power 12 items
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Bus wire
Used in: How to set up DCC power districts with boosters; How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for 16 AWG wire red black -
Connectors or terminal strips
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for terminal block strip -
Cotton buds
Used in: How to troubleshoot DCC stalling and short circuits
Search Amazon for cotton buds -
Drill and small bit
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for mini drill -
Feeder/dropper wire (lighter gauge)
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for 22 AWG solid core wire -
Fume extractor
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for solder fume extractor -
Insulated rail joiners or a razor saw
Used in: How to set up DCC power districts with boosters
Search Amazon for razor saw model railway -
Multimeter
Used in: How to set up DCC power districts with boosters; How to troubleshoot DCC stalling and short circuits
Search Amazon for digital multimeter -
Solder and flux
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for electronics solder -
Soldering iron, temperature-controlled
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for temperature controlled soldering iron -
Track rubber or cleaning fluid
Used in: How to troubleshoot DCC stalling and short circuits
Search Amazon for track cleaning rubber -
Wire strippers
Used in: How to wire a DCC track bus and feeders
Search Amazon for wire strippers
Automation projects 2 items
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Jumper wire
Used in: How to automate a station shuttle with DCC-EX EXRAIL; How to run two trains automatically with a station passing loop
Search Amazon for jumper wires male female -
Two IR or Hall-effect sensors
Used in: How to automate a station shuttle with DCC-EX EXRAIL; How to run two trains automatically with a station passing loop
Search Amazon for IR obstacle sensor module