Looking for some one to do DCC installation.

[Howardr]

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Hello.

Started collecting HO locomotives way back before DCC was available.

Now I have about 20 non-DCC locomotives which I would like to convert to DCC as I would like to run only DCC.

Don’t have the eye sight any longer to work with very small parts and I don’t have the electrical knowledge to install the DCC adapters.

If anyone knows of anyone or any places who do this kind of work and have reasonable prices in the NY-NJ area could you share that with me and you experiences with their work, good or bad.

Thanks

[richg1998]

Do you want sound or non-sound installs? Some locos may not be easy to install.

Below is a link to these forums.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/54987/694347.aspx

Rich

[jbu50]

They are not right in the NY area but Tonys Train Xchange does installations and they are very reasonable. They are in Essex Junction VT but have a nice website and do stuff by mail. www.tonystrains.com

I have had very good experience with them.

John

[woodone]

Howard,

If you can not find someone or place to do your work let me know.

I do DCC installs from my home.  NO, I am no where close to N.Y.

[tstage]

Howard,

Here are four places that come to mind and their links:

• Empire Northern Models (Webster, NY) - Tim Smith
• Tony's Train Exchange (Essex Junction, VT) - Tony and his staff
• Ulrich Models (Berthoud, CO) - Steve
• Litchfield Station (Avondale, AZ)

Tom

[richhotrain]

tstage

Howard,

Here are four places that come to mind and their links:

• Empire Northern Models (Webster, NY) - Tim Smith
• Tony's Train Exchange (Essex Junction, VT) - Tony and his staff
• Ulrich Models (Berthoud, CO) - Steve
• Litchfield Station (Avondale, AZ)

Tom

I can only speak for Empire Northern Models in NY where I have had decoders installed on several occasions.   Tim Smith does excellent work at reasonable prices.

Rich

[wjstix]

Are these steam engines or diesels?? How old?? If they're fairly recent (last 10 years or so) they may not be that hard to convert, might even have DCC "plug and play" receptacles.

Just a thought, maybe check the local hobby shop?? Might be if you buy the decoders from them they might install them for free or a reduced rate. Couldn't hurt to ask, doing a "hardwire" installation isn't really that hard (pun intended) after you've done a couple. The LHS might be happy to do it if it means getting to sell you 20 decoders!!

[rrinker]

 I have been known to install decoders for people, but I prefer to show peopel how to do it rather than do it for them. It REALLY isn't that hard, particularly on anything made in the past 20 years or so (in HO anyway). I have pictures of some that I've done on my web site, also web sites liek the one for Train Control Systems shows a lot of different installs, which are completely usable even if you don;t use their decoders (but for non-sound decoders they are VERY good ones).

                      --Randy

[Texas Zepher]

Howardr

Now I have about 20 non-DCC locomotives which I would like to convert to DCC as I would like to run only DCC.

That is not so bad.  I think my "convert to command control" list is quite a bit longer.

I too have lost my good eye sight, but I bought one of those huge table mounted magnifying lenses with a built in light.  I do the installations under that.

As Randy says it isn't hard at all.   In fact I've found some of the older units are easier to do installs because there is more room inside to position things.   Also the technology and options available today make things much easier than it used to be.   To me the hard part is always the lighting rather than the actual power and motor.

[CTValleyRR]

A logical first step would be to pick up the phone and call the local hobby shops.

Tom's Trains of CT in Wethersfield will do it for $10 / decoder (although that was a couple of years ago).  That's still about a 2 to 2 1/2 hr ride for you, though, depending on where in Northern NJ you are.