I have 24 15 year old N scale diesels (1996) that are not DDC friendly. I'm thinking about going DCC, but cost & the trouble retrofitting these are killers.Other than Aztec & Souther Digital, are there any other companies that make frames for these engines?
If they're that old, I have to wonder if they're worth the cost of conversion. The quality of N scale locomotives has improved drastically over the years and you may be better off purchasing new models and relegating the older ones to static displays or a scrap yard.
1996 era N scale is when it was getting good. Unless they are train set Life-Like or Model Power or Bachmann locos, they are probably worth converting.
A couple of other options - if it was a popular loco that was re-run more recently, perhaps with a DCC friendly design that allowed for a board repalcement decoder, it's possible the old shell fits the new frame. The new shell on the old frame could be resold to recoup some of the cost.
Or, you could do the frame milling yourself. Unless you are cutting close to a key area, liek where the truck mounts, extreme precision isn't really required. The 'pro' versions make sure to take care of the details like a wire channel and make room for the decoder while removing as little metal as possible to maintain traction, if you carve out a little extra, or your decoder area isn't perfectly neat and square, it doesn't really matter so long as the decoder fits.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
TCS to the rescue.
TCS CN and CN-GP decoders were designed for those older not DCC ready N scale engines. (The ones with just two small light boards at each end) They require a little soldering and disassembly. Most can be installed with no or maybe just a little filing. Check the "literature" tab on the web site to see which model will fit your engines.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/N-Scale/ClassicN/CN-Series.htm
BTW, if you go with frame cutting, use AZTEC. John does a great job on factory original frames. Southern Digital used original frames for their plugs. When the new frame is poured, it shrinks a little while cooling. The fit is not always good.
Martin Myers
It would definitely be helpful to know what brands and models you're sportin'. The TCS split boards are wonderful, but they're not the solution to every problem.
For instance, if you're working with a nose mounted headlight, or one of the non-split frame drives.
Can you list your inventory so we know what you're up against?
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net