Hello all,
I recently purchased an old late 70's Rivarossi Big Boy and Y6B Mallet (2-8-8-2) and was wondering if there are any DCC installers in the CT area. I know the installation can be done, I've seen quite a few, but I think it might be a bit too complex for me.
I have experience soldering and with electronics, but I'm not sure if I'm comfortable altering the frame to accommodate the decoder.
Thanks,
mrw1986
hank@buzzhollowrailroad.com does decoder installs. He is in Milford CT
You could also search around online, some decoder companies (and the NMRA I believe) have places on the web that shows how to do installs yourself in various types of engines. Generally with older engines the main thing is isolating the motor from the frame; often that just means unscrewing the motor mount from the frame, putting down electrical tape, plastic tape, or a thin piece of sheet plastic, and then using plastic screws to reinstall the motor mount. Then it's just a standard "hard wire" install - two wires go to the track connections, two wires go to the motor, two wires go to the headlight.
retsignalmtr hank@buzzhollowrailroad.com does decoder installs. He is in Milford CT
Thank you for recommending Hank to me! Spoke to him at length and he seems like a great guy and is much cheaper than anyone else I've talked to.
No idea of your location in CT but the shop in the link does them in West Springfield, MA. A friend of mine does them for the shop owner.
http://www.pvhobbies.com/
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
You might try http://www.tomstrains.com/ They are in Wethersfield. It's a small, but well stocked, store front if you visit. Reasonable pricing.
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
Doc in CT You might try http://www.tomstrains.com/ They are in Wethersfield. It's a small, but well stocked, store front if you visit. Reasonable pricing.
I would second the recomendation for Tom's. Tom has a guy Lou who does the installs. Although I haven't used the install service, It's my LHS and prices rival online retailers.
Good Luck, Derek
UPinCT Doc in CT You might try http://www.tomstrains.com/ They are in Wethersfield. It's a small, but well stocked, store front if you visit. Reasonable pricing. I would second the recomendation for Tom's. Tom has a guy Lou who does the installs. Although I haven't used the install service, It's my LHS and prices rival online retailers. Good Luck, Derek
I'll have to get a price. I have someone who will do the work for $60, which for the Big Boy that requires a good amount of custom work is a great price from what I can tell. Several other shops quoted $150-200 for just the install. Additionally, he also performs maintenance, etc for that price.
Let us know how you make out. I'm curious as well.
So far I have done all the installs myself. They're all relatively straightforward with only a wire or two needing to be snipped or relocated. I also used TCS decoders and their website made installs a snap.
Having said all that, I too have an older dc engine I'd like to convert and don't feel comfortable doing myself.
Let us know how you make out, Derek
UPinCT Let us know how you make out. I'm curious as well. So far I have done all the installs myself. They're all relatively straightforward with only a wire or two needing to be snipped or relocated. I also used TCS decoders and their website made installs a snap. Having said all that, I too have an older dc engine I'd like to convert and don't feel comfortable doing myself. Let us know how you make out, Derek
I'll definitely let you know how it goes. I plan on using a LokSound V4.0 decoder in my Big Boy.