Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="Phoebe Vet"] Cisco:I was surprised that such a simple statement touched a nerve.I do not buy engines in bulk.  I have most of what I need.  A new engine is an occasional purchase.  I have never bought 10 engines at a time.My advise to the young person was that DCC READY is not much more than one that is not DCC ready.  Why go through the hassle of hardwiring when you can just plug a decoder in?  Buying an engine that is not DCC ready then converting it is like buying a new car with a manual transmission and then converting it to an automatic.As far as buying DCC sound rather than converting.  Same argument.  Buy an engine, then buy a sound decoder and a speaker, and you have spent almost as much money as you have for a RTR sound engine.  The only reason to do it is if you enjoy the exercise of trying to cram all that stuff in there.If you already own legacy engines, that is a whole different argument.  I never suggested throwing out existing stock and replacing it with new RTR.[/quote]Hey, not to worry.  I am not touchy.  Modelling make me serene...that's why I do it.I certainly agree with you in many respects....maybe even generally.  There is little advantage to converting a model of loco if it can be had nicely-priced DCC W/sound.  Take the U28bs at trainworld.com selling at $109. At most one would save $20.  Even the SD40-2s at $129...as saving of maybe $40 if one had picked up the locos on sale for, say $40 on Ebay.  And then, they would not have the warranties and would have gone through all the time and trouble of installation.  Don't bother.I have converted maybe 12 or 13 to sound, and as you say, most were nice ones I had found at a very good price and would like to have run with sound.  A few more--steamers especially-- if they can be had at a good price, can save me $150 over retail in my own sound installation....even with a Tsunami costing $90.  The installations in the tender are less arduous that cutting apart the weight in an old loco, too.So generally, Phoebe, you are quite right.  It is a particularly favourite loco, or a particularly good purchase price of a steamer that make sense for installation of sound.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community