I have a Hudson 4-6-4 Gilbert Corp. American Flyer HO steamer DC and I need a person who can convert my loco to DCC. It is a gift from my deceased father and I would like to see it run again. Sorry about the confusion Guys. What I really need is a way to change the motor in the engine to a Cam motor.
Hi, Smoker
There are numerous services out there that will perform this for you.
I have not used any of these personally, there may be some listed in the MR Magazine ads as well.
Take a look here for starters: https://www.google.com/#q=dcc+decoder+installation+service
Then call around for the price/service that you're comfortable with. Hopefully someone here has some good first-hand references for you. Off-hand I can tell you that Tony's Train Exchange, Ulrich Models, Streamlined Backshop Service and Litchfield Station are reputable concerns that have been in business for many years. I'm sure others will have additional suggestions.
Good Luck, Ed
Just out of curiosity, does it run in DC?
Rich
Alton Junction
Have you checked with your local hobby shop to see if they will do it or if there is anyone local who will do the job? It's not really that difficult of a job to do yourself.
Don't know where you live, but I would check with any local hobby shop and ask if there is a model railroad club around or if someone in the shop has the experience. If the LHS can't help, then visist the club and ask about someone in the club to help you with the installation of a decoder. Just a suggestion.
PS: The Gilbert American Flyer loco may not have a conventional motor/drive, which could be a problem.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
SMOKING TRAIN,
It might be a long shot. But it might not hurt to ask these people. I know they can tell you all about the one you have and carry parts for it:
http://www.rfgco.com/
Frank
zstripe SMOKING TRAIN, It might be a long shot. But it might not hurt to ask these people. I know they can tell you all about the one you have and carry parts for it: http://www.rfgco.com/ Frank
When I rehabbed my old American Flyer trains back in 2010, I initially used RFGco. My experience was beyond awful.
Where do you live? If one of us lives nearby, we probably know a local resource. My go-to guy on this sort of thing is in Chelmsford, MA, and is listed in the back pages of MR if you're interested.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Quote:
Rich,
That's funny, they gold plated mine and sent it back to me!
And if You believe that. I'll tell you another one!
Wow you too Frank? I sent a steamer to RFGco to get a DCC install, and they sent it back to me gold plated, why wonder it doesn't work?
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
If it runs OK on DC, you really don't have to change to a can (not "cam") motor, although doing so could make it run better. Depends on whether you want it as a working model on the layout, or are primarily looking at it as a classic or collectible piece. Anyway, if you're operating on DCC now, you probably can do the conversion to DCC yourself. Most likely the motor is screwed onto the metal chassis and gets power from one rail that way. You can remove the motor, put down a piece of electrical tape to isolate it from the chassis, then screw it back on using plastic screws (from the LHS). Then you just hook up the decoder - two wires to the motor, two wires to the headlight, and two wires to the connections for the two rails (most likely the engine picks up power from one rail, and the tender from the other).
Yes Rich, it does run on DC. But since I run on DCC, I would like it to run on DCC.
Thanks WJSTIX, I have been looking for long time to be able to run my loco on DCC and this will be a way I can do it.
SMOKING TRAIN Yes Rich, it does run on DC. But since I run on DCC, I would like it to run on DCC.
Isolating the motor case itself isn't necessary, but isolating the brushes is. I have converted several old brass locos with pittman motors to dcc. The thing is you need to find out how much current it draws at stall or risk frying the chip if it exceeds the rating.
I found actually isolating the motor case helps to quiet it down a bit, and can motors are better at slow speeds.
Biggest problem with motors that old is that the field magnets get weak. Just using the replacement set of rare earth magnets in them is often all you need to do to improve performance and reduce current draw. Advantage is no figuring out how to mount a new motor so that the gears mesh as they should, the stock motor mounting and everything is retained.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.