I'm planning on buying a couple of Walthers/ Proto 2000 SP E9s or E7As, But I'm fairly sure they're not DCC due to the price the units are, so What recomendations do you, the Experts at Model Railroader and fellow Forum members?
Don't beg for things, Do it yourself, Or else you won't get anything "-Adrock Thurston-Eureka Seven.
That would kind of depend on what vintage these locos are. The older non DCC ready needs a hardwired decoder. Newer P2K has a board replacement or an 8 pin plug decoder. More information is needed to give you a definite answer.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Regardless of if they are a plug or hardwire there will be a host of choices and price range to fit from a number of different manufacturers. The P2K E units have plenty of space for a decoder. Things you might consider are number and type of light functions. Do you need headlamp, perhaps Mars light, cab light? It is up to you and how complex you want go get.
There are installation examples on the TCS web site of both the hard-wire and the plug and play installations
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_2000_E8_9/Proto_2000_E8_9.html
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_E8_9/lifelike_p2k_e8_9.htm
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Thank you simon, that website had everything I needed and then some, only one thing it didn't have, were prices for the decoders.
You can order TCS decoders direct from TCS< but then you pay full MSRP. Check the reputable supplies on the internet or even your LHS. Most everyone carries them - Tony's, Litchfield, Ulrich, MB Klein, etc.
If it's a unit with a Mars light, consider totally removing the Proto circuit board and replacing the dual-filament Mars light with a regular bulb or, if using a TCS decoder, an LED will work well too. The decoder's Mars effect is much better than the P2K circuit. I did an E that did not have a Mars light, and left the factory board but disconnected the wires from it and had wired the decoder. To flip it back to stock all I would have had to do was snip the wires and reconnect them to the tabs on the factory board. This method would work equally well for one with the Mars light.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
davidmbedard HO or N scale? David B
HO or N scale?
David B
HO of coarse.