First off I want to say Hi to all the folks here at Trains.com forums. I have been out of the hobby for about 10 years now and am about to start building a new Garden railway.
That being said I have a bit of a problem right off the bat. Having done a little research on whats new and best suited to my needs I have decided to make my new layout using Aristo Stainless Steel track and DCC for control.
The problem I have is what to do with my old engines most are brand new in perfect boxes (we moved before I had a chance to run them), they are as follows- Aristo Craft Black box U25-B's in 2 PRR and 1 Conrail roads, REA Blue Box's B+O FA-1 and FB-1, Sante Fe FA-1, Yellow Box Aristo PRR RS-3 + 1998 Lil Critter Club Engine. USA Trains PRR GP-7 + PRR 20 tonner, and Finally a LGB 2219s 2-6-0 PRR Mogul with Sound.
These engines were all bought prior to 1998 and are not DCC ready like the new Aristo's that are DCC and sound ready.
My questions is would it be better to sell these and by the new DCC ready equipment or convert these to DCC. The only engine I am really attached to is the PRR LGB mogul but if its to hard to convert I dont want to ruin it.
Are these engines worth anything more than the new ones (if so which ones) or will I be lucky to break even.
Thanks for you inputs, Ron
Older four axle aristo dismals will usually get in the ball park of $100 on eBay. The new engines will also have the ball bearing trucks. You'll have to factor what its worth to you to have plug and play. Of course, you will need to solder in your own chips on the USA locos anyway. Same with the mogul and lil' critter. There is a DCC forum over on mylargescale.com where you can get help. Also, the QSI Quantum Aristo DCC chips for the PnP are also sound cards.
If you decide to keep your old Aristo locos, be sure to check where the axle tips go into the brass bushings on the side frames. They can freeze up over time. Make sure the axle tip rotates freely and oil it.
-Brian
There are also shops, some maybe in your area, that install DCC and Sound for you but it does cost. When I asked was 300.00 but with there parts. So it is good to check around. Myself I only have 1 store near me.
Toad
I was hoping to see an Aristo Napa Valley FB-1 unit in your list. Oh well! Would you have any of the old defunct Kalamazoo trains rolling stock? Somehow I ended up collecting Aristo Napa Valley and Kalamazoo rolling stock not to run but to put on the shelf. I run a few of them but mostly hoard them Welcome back to this obsessive hobby. I've been playing with, I mean operating since junior high school in the late 50's minus some years with other interests and military duty. Started in 0 (Lionel of course), dabbled in N while in a mobile home and went to HO in my garage when we moved to a house. Jumped to G outside a few years ago and haven't been sane since. You might want to have one of them Ebay dealers that sell for you taking a cut of your profit sell them diesals. Takes away all of the headaches of setting up as an ebay seller.
RUDY JAGER, CEO OF THE LONE WOLF RAILROAD
TRUST ME--I USED TO WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT!
OK I have a Nappy F1-B What's worth to ya? I have an extra Nappy F1-A too.
PM me if you want Ed
GearDrivenSteam wrote:Ron, send them all to me. I am running DC only and will give them a good home.
If you could find someone to give me the new engines you got a deal, .
But from everything I have read it seams that new equipment is the way to go.
So if anyone is interested in these engines send me an email at thebod(at)voicenet.com (use the @ in stead of (at) lol)
Ron
Ron:
I sent you both an email and a personal message through this system with an offer for one of your B units. Must be that either my offer was not high enough or you did not not get my messages. Negotiation is always an option.
BodsRailRoad wrote: But from everything I have read it seams that new equipment is the way to go.So if anyone is interested in these engines send me an email at thebod (at) voicenet . com (use the @ in stead of at lol)Ron
So if anyone is interested in these engines send me an email at thebod (at) voicenet . com (use the @ in stead of at lol)
Hey Rudy,
I'm sorry I didnt get anything, can you try again.
Hi Ron;
If you feel comfortable, I say convert your engines over to DCC. You already went through the expense to purchase them. All you need is a decoder for each plus sound if you want that also. You need to verify that the motor is isolated from the frame and gets power just from the decoder. I switched over a USA engine and a Bachmann to DCC without too much trouble. On the USA I had to replace the smoke unit with one from Aristo. It runs off of DCC also, the USA does not. I'm using the Phoenix sound systems and it works great. Anyway thats my opinion for whatever its worth.
Chuck
I'd try converting one over first, you may be surprised.
I've gone to all onboard battery, very simply after the first 3
Is it REAL? or Just 1:29 scale?
Long live Outdoor Model Railroading.
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