The decoders in those Bachmann DCC On-Board locos aren't worth the space they take up. If the 44-tonner is the single motor kind, it's pretty easy to convert. The GP30 is a bit more of a pain.
Handy guide to installations: http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/HO_Search/search.html
You cna use any decoder, but the instructions still apply. They don;t have a GP30 but they do have a GP35 that has the same split frame design. I'd rate it a medium because you have to solder some wires, but it's fairly foolproof as the wires are oriented relative to the proper connection.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Doing a quick search at Modeltrainstuff.com and you can replace the 44 ton switcher and the GP30 for ones that are already DCC'ed for what you pay to have someone install them on your current engines.. Your H10 and FA2, it would be worth using what you got and getting them converted. Of course you can just give the old college try. I know installing DCC decoders scared me at first but after you do couple it is not so bad
I've performed close to 100 decoder and/or sound installs in different brands of steam and diesel locomotives over tha past few years for myself and other club members, and have encountered many older models like youi have that are not worth the cost of the install, especially if you have to pay someone to do it.
At this point in time, my suggestion would be to purchase new locomotives with DCC already installed instead of trying to retrofit old locomotives, especially for sound.
The ones you list were never intended to have sound, so there's no room for a speaker and enclosure in most of them, especially not the Bachmann models; but they do sell newer versions with sound already installed.
If you don't have extensive soldering experience and have to pay someone to perform the install, just purchasing a new locomotive will most likely be cheaper in the long run.
woodman 2- Proto 2000 FA2 Locomotives
2- Proto 2000 FA2 Locomotives
Hardwire install that is described on the TCS web site. If my memory serves me correctly these can sometimes require replacement motors as some had a high current draw. Not a great deal of room to install a speaker, so would be a tough sound install.
woodman 2-Bachman Spectrum GP-30 Diesels
2-Bachman Spectrum GP-30 Diesels
Almost certainly split frame design with very little space for anything other than a decoder. I have done several of this design and they convert well and run smoothly. This again is a hardwire and will require soldering.
woodman 2- Bachman Spectrum 44 Ton Switchers
2- Bachman Spectrum 44 Ton Switchers
Very small, with little space. Not done one myself but beleive that others have even managed to get sound into them!!
woodman 2- Walthers Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 Diesel Locomotives
2- Walthers Fairbanks-Morse H10-44 Diesel Locomotives
Can be done per the following link
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Walthers/H10-44/Walthers%20HO%20Scale%20H10-44.htm
So as you can see, none of your locos are trivial installs. But they can all be done.
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
Woodman,
A possible suggestion for adding DCC and sound to your P2K locos:
Check the swap meets, Walthers sale flyers, etc for clearance-priced versions of your locos with factory sound, and swap the chassis.
I've converted three P2K and two P1K locos to sound that way (they were Canadian Hobbycraft releases that Walthers isn't likely to run again), and after selling off the non-sound chassis and "wrong" body shells, my cost per loco was probably the same or less than buying a good sound decoder, speaker, etc.
You may need to make some minor modifications (I had to shorten a couple light bars and rework some louvers on the GP's, and remove a roof brace in the F3A's), but it's easily done and you'd probably need to do something similar to add a speaker anyway.
Thanks for all the info, my concern is that none of these engines were set up for DCC since DCC really wasn't readily available at the time. The engines I am talking about are:
All are in mint condition, all were never run except to test when I bought them, they run great in DC now. They were purchased in 1992, so converting to DCC is what my main concern is, can it be done? There is no way I will convert them as I don't have a clue when it comes to wiring and soldering anything.
Hi Woodman, nice choice of DCC system. I have had the old Z for some years and it has served me well.
Regarding the decoder installation:
An excellent reference site is http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/HO_Search/search.html now these installs are for non sound decoders, but if your specific locos are listed, then it would give you some idea of what is involved.
Adding a sound decoder is not significantly harder, but getting the speaker situated and producing a good sound is much harder, and in some cases may be impossible due to the physical space that is available in the model.
If you are somewhat adept with a soldering iron you should be able to do all of the models that you have. There are several places that offer installation as has been noted above by other posters.
On Digitrax's website they have a What decoder do I need button on their home page. Click on that and look up the decoders that you need, You may also find instructions for installing the decoders there.
Labor rates vary from diesel and steam and for DCC or DCC with sound. Diesel rates -DCC $40.00- DCC with sound $75.00. Steamers rates DCC $50.00- DCC with sound$95.00. You might find some lower and some higher That is for labor only- decoders and other things will be in addition to that. Hard to tell you a cost of decoders without knowing what we are working with. A good sound decoder (Tsunami) will run $80.00 to $100.00 depending on what loco. Regular DCC decoders run between $20.00 to $50.00. All ball park numbers
Labor rates vary from diesel and steam and for DCC or DCC with sound.
Diesel rates -DCC $40.00- DCC with sound $75.00. Steamers rates DCC $50.00- DCC with sound$95.00. You might find some lower and some higher
That is for labor only- decoders and other things will be in addition to that.
Hard to tell you a cost of decoders without knowing what we are working with.
A good sound decoder (Tsunami) will run $80.00 to $100.00 depending on what loco.
Regular DCC decoders run between $20.00 to $50.00.
All ball park numbers
I finally decided to go to DCC, after being away from the hobby for almost 20 years I have built a new layout and have been trying to decide whether to continue with DC or switch to DCC. I have decided on DCC and the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra. My knowledge of DCC is non existent, my knowledge of DC wasn't much better. My big concern or question I have is that I purchased 2- Proto 2000 engines, 4- Bachmann Spectrum Engines and 2- Walthers engines in the early 1990's, right after purchasing the engines we decided to move into a new house. Everything was packed up and put away. Although they were idle all these years, they run great in the DC set up at the moment. In the early 1990's these were about the best you could get, so I would like to see if it is possible to have these converted to DCC,I would also like to add DCC and sound to a few of them. They still look and run great and have little if any running time on them. Roughly, what kind of cost should I expect to incur to have these engines converted. I intend to have them converted over time and not all at once. This is HO scale.