to convert 'old' locomotives to DCC or not...?

[New to Model Railroading-09]

Hi everyone

Please allow me to start off by appologizing if this thread should be in a different forum.  But, I think that this is where it best fits.

I have been continuing the process of educating my very unknowlegdable and middle-aged brain about this hobby.  I have been focusing primarily on layout design and creation so as to add onto the 8' x3' table I inherited from my deceased uncle (which he had completely wired for DC control).  My goal is to design a layout that will allow me to have many years of enjoyment operating the layout, switching industries etc, rather then a layout that allows me to watch the trains go round & round.

While noodleing about this process, I have found mself starting to wonder wether I should stay with DC or switch to DCC control.  I think that I am currently leaning to going with a DCC system, but along with the table, I also was fortunate enough to receive a Loco-Motion Tech II 2500 control/throttle and seven DC locomotives.  The locomotives were all made in the mid-1980s, and the Spookshow site indicates that none of them have any provision for conversion to a DCC decoder.  While I value all of the engines as they were my uncles, I have learned that four are "good", hobby quality engines - a Kato GP38/GP38-2 (1987 version), an Atlas RS-1 (1988), Atlas RS-3 (1983), and Atlas GE U25B (1989).  There is also a Minitrix 0-6-0 Switcher (1969-1972?), a Lifelike BL-2 (1992), and another of so far unknown manufactur (it was the only one that was not in its original case).  All of these engines, in addition to being bequethed to me by my uncle, are like brand new, and run beautifully so I would like to be able to continue to run them.  I most certainly don't want to discard them or even put them away for display.  Through reading various MR magazine articles, I have come to the belief that I would have to perform "surgery" on the split frames of the Atlas and Kato engines in order to make the conversion to DCC.

So, here finally is the question.  Would you recommend setting up the controls of the future layout to be wired such that a switch would allow for the selection of either DC or DCC control so that I can run my inherited engines in DC and any locomotives purchased in the future to be DCC, or would you attempt to convert the engines that I inherited.  Or, would I be best off staying with DC?

Thank you in advance for any advice/information that you can share with me!

[simon1966]

Are we talking N scale or HO here?  Take a look at the TCS web site http://www.tcsdcc.com/ there is a nice section with installation examples for both N and HO models.  I'm in HO and have converted a number of older cherished units.  If they run nice and smooth in DC then IMO there is no reason why they can't be converted.  They might not be easy, but they can be done.

[tbdanny]

Hi,

If you've found your locos on the Spookshow site, I assume they're in N scale?

I know there are a couple of companies that offer frame milling services for older N scale locos.  One I've used and am satisfied with is Aztec Manufacturing.  You send them the stripped-down frames, and they'll send you a set milled out for DCC, with instructions.  Very good instructions.

Hope this helps,

tbdanny

[New to Model Railroading-09]

Thank you so much for the swift responses, and good information.  I have to appologize for neglecting to include the scale!  Yes indeed, the layout and rolling stock I inherited are n scale.

I am afraid that I couldn't bring myself to sell the engines because I know how much my uncle cherished them.  So, I will look into thecosts involved with the two companies suggested.  If it will be more than our fincances can allow, I will then wether to stay with DC as I build the layout, or "park" then engines in display and start saving my pennies for a new DCC equiped or ready locomotive.

Am I correct in my assumption that it would either be too dificult, too expensive, or not worthwile to convert the existing table and wire the rest of the layout as it is built to be operated by either DC or DCC as controlled by a switch?

[MisterBeasley]

"Converting" a properly-wired DC layout to DCC should be a very simple job.  My current layout has been DCC from the beginning, and my previous DC layout was wired by a 12-year-old who has since grown up, mostly, so it wasn't a good example.  So, I won't give advice on converting, because others will have far better advice than me.

I've added DCC to quite a few engines, some older than yours, but they are HO.  The hard part is generally not the wiring, it's finding space for the decoder.

I, for one, applaud your devotion to old locomotives.  After deciding that some of mine were not worth converting, I "gutted" them, upgraded the couplers and now run them as dummy engines.  Dummies are one way to provide a space for a sound decoder and speaker, even in N-scale.

[BRVRR]

To start with, I model in HO, but most of what follows should apply to N-scale as well.

Converting a properly wired DC layout to DCC is a comparatively easy thing to do. Particularly with the small layout you describe. It is a simple matter of connecting the power (track) leads from the DCC system in place of the DC power supply. Depending on the size of your planned expansion, you might get away with simply adding track and a few feeders.

Most DCC systems will run a single (1) DC locomotive on Address "00" and run other DCC equipped locos, either separately or together. I have done, and continue to do this, with some of my grandson's small and a few large ones too, DC steam locomotives.

Although they make an annoying buzzing sound at low speed, they all run, albeit at a lower top speed. I have never had a motor failure which some people have reported.

The smaller N-scale motors may prove to be problematic. I don't know.

If you do decide to convert to DCC, your older quality locos are probably worth converting if you are willing to bear the expense. The alternative as I see it is to run them occasionally on Address "0" and purchase a few DCC ready or DCC equipped locos for 'everyday' use.

Good luck on your project(s), welcome to the world of model railroading and this forum.

 

[simon1966]

New to Model Railroading-09

Am I correct in my assumption that it would either be too dificult, too expensive, or not worthwile to convert the existing table and wire the rest of the layout as it is built to be operated by either DC or DCC as controlled by a switch?

See the linked article here

http://www.dccbydesign.com/4-DCC-Info/Article-004.htm

it goes through the steps to convert a DC layout to DCC.  It may acutally be very simple to convert the existing layout.

[mobilman44]

Hi!

I too wrestled with this problem when I went to DCC last January.  I had way too many locomotives, and needed to "thin them out".  Soooo, the degree of difficulty in converting to DCC became a significant factor (NOT the only factor) in what I would keep or sell off.

Well, it turns out that the ones I thinned out were "DCC UNfriendly", AND with a few exceptions, had older motors and drivelines.  Anyway, I ended up with DCC friendly locos, all of which have newer "technology" and good running characteristics. 

Now if I had a particular loco that was a sentimental favorite, I would keep it and consider it a project loco for when I became adept at installing decoders under difficult circumstances.

Hey, for what its worth!

Mobilman44

[New to Model Railroading-09]

Thank you - again - for the fabulous responses.  Having looked at the various websites and discussed the potential costs with my wife, I have decided that I will 'work' toward converting the existing layout and any future extentions to DCC.  As for the locos that I have, I will put the Kato and Atlas engines on my "to do" list for the future as finances allow for the conversion.  Until then, once I get the layout converted to DCC, I will run them sparingly in the manner recommended.

Once again, thank you!