Has anyone had experience installing a DCC decoder in a locomotive released back in 1991. I am specifically concerned with the N-scale Atlas SD9 item numbers 4539 & 4540. This release is not longer listed on the Atlas web site. Is it possible/worth the work to install a decoder in these... I cannot find any other releases of the SD9 in N scale with the SP Black Widow colors, so these would be perfect if only they were DCC! Thanks for your thoughts.
Ryan
These locos weren't DCC ready so there isn't any "drop-in" type decoder available for them.They can still be converted but it usually means that some milling of the frame is required to allow space for a wire decoder.It is possible that you can get already milled frames from special sources but is more likely that you'd have to have yours milled,unless you can do it yourself.Is it worthed it?Only you know what these are worthed to you.
Ryan,
You will need to get your frames milled. I've used Aztec Manufacturing (www.aztectrains.com) for several of my older Atlas models. Another alternative would be to get a DCC-friendly mechanism. I know that Atlas has used a DCC-ready mech on some of their more recent releases, and the shells are interchangeable with the older models, IIRC.
Hope this helps,
tbdanny
The Location: Forests of the Pacific Northwest, OregonThe Year: 1948The Scale: On30The Blog: http://bvlcorr.tumblr.com
Thanks guys, very helpful!
I installed a Digitrax DN93 in mine way back when. Should be a snap with a Z scale decoder and a little milling by Aztec. BTW, John's charge is half the price I paid back when mine were installed.