I've just back into trains after a long hiatus, and am excited to be using DCC.
I dropped an N scale loco off at my 'local hobby shop' on May 2 for a decoder installation. They still haven't called.
How long does it usually take?
Not 2 1/2 months. I'd pick it up and find someone else.
The time it takes depends on the manufacturer and model of engine.
Where in PA are you?
Springfield PA
Well if it's "plug and play" it's a matter of removing the body, pulling out the dummy plug, plugging in the decoder, and putting the body back on. Maybe 10 minutes?? If it's a hardwire installation, where they need to cut the metal weight back etc. it would take a lot longer. I'd check though, it might like the guitar repair guy I used to go to...if you needed some work done that he didn't like to do, he would just keep your guitar in the case in his shop until you finally came back and picked it up.
I sent an N gauge locomotive frame to Aztec to have the frame milled for a speaker. It took 7-8 days round trip. 15 min to install the drop in decoder and reassemble the loco. Add a few min if the decoder must be soldered in. Three months is too long for him to have it. Maybe he is just waiting for you to call him!
retsignalmtrMaybe he is just waiting for you to call him!
That's my guess, too. Maybe he wrote your number down wrong, or lost it.
On the other hand, I had an installation that took that long. Basically, he was busy and just wasn't getting to it. But, when I finally got it back, I was really happy with the work. The guy who turns things around fast isn't busy. It may be the economy, but it may also be that he rushes his work, or he gets no repeat business. Taking a long time isn't always a bad thing.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.