DCC Question

[Anonymous]

Well, I have a medium size layout in the making, three inner ovals, a small yard and a L section with sidings. I have four electrical blocks right now, but would love the freedom DCC would allow me. However, I am rather tight on funds, and have already purchased four Athearn engines. After reading about DCC< I checked my locos, and they do not have DCC plugs.

My question is, can I install the plugs themselves in locos not made with them, or do I have to buy engines that are DCC compatible. I think I know the answer, but please confirm it, or if there is any sort of obscure way to do it. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Well, I don't know how obscure it is, but if you can solder you can easily install decoders in Athearn locomotives. Here's a link from the Model Railroader website: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/002/386vdfwa.asp. It's very important to isolate the motor from the frame!

As an alternative, Digitrax makes a decoder with a special harness for Athearn locomotives. Either way, you can convert your locos to dcc.

Gary

[nfmisso]

Just a slight comment on Gary's response, Digitrax offers a special harness that you can use with any 9 pin plug decoder. I would not go that way though, I'd change the locomotive over to "hard wired" and use any decoder you want. That will save several dollars.

Basically it is practical to install a DCC decoder in any HO scale standard guage locomotive. If worse comes to worse, a Digitrax DZ143 or TCS M-1 will fit, they are about the size of a dime.

Visit Tony's <http://www.dcctrains.com/> and/or Loy's <http://www.loystoys.com/>. They are both good helpful suppliers, and will be happy to answer your questions, and sell you appropriate systems/components.

Tony's has a "DCC for Beginners!" primer that is excellent. <http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm>

[AntonioFP45]

Tony's Train Xchange and Litchfield Station offer great help and sell DCC related supplies at discounted prices. Litchfield Station is very good about answering DCC questions. Check out the websites. Just type in LItchfield Station or Tony's Trains on your search engine. Both are great, but I'm more biased towards Litchfield Station.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys! That takes a HUGE weight off my chest, as I had a few hundred in engines already.