I recently obtained a number of steam decoders, and I am interested in getting into some HO steam locos that are DCC-ready, preferably with room in the tender to add a battery or a speaker. I know Bachmann sells quite a few steam locos with DCC-Ready tenders, but I'm not a super Bachmann fan. Can someone please recommend some other manufacturers I might look into that would suit my needs? I am interested in both modern and older. Thanks.
At one time BLI (Broadway Limited Imports) offered steamers that were DC/DCC ready. Not sure if they still do with their recent runs.
Before Walthers bought Life Like, that company produced a line of steam engines as part of the Proto 2000 Heritage line.
If you go on eBay and type "Proto 2000 Heritage", there are currently 45 new steam locomotives for sale. These are DCC Ready locos with plenty of room in the tender for decoders and speakers.
The Proto 2000 Heritage steamer is a great runner and puller. Give them a try.
Rich
Alton Junction
How about the InterMountain Railway 4-8-8-2 AC11 and AC12?
passenger1955 How about the InterMountain Railway 4-8-8-2 AC11 and AC12?
Do the Intermountain diesels you have had have 8-pin sockets?
richhotrain passenger1955 How about the InterMountain Railway 4-8-8-2 AC11 and AC12? I have several InterMountain diesels but no experience with their steamers. Rich
I have several InterMountain diesels but no experience with their steamers.
I recently picked up one of their cab-forwards with DCC/sound. I really like it and consider it to be the best "plastic" articulated made. I'd get more, but I don't model SP--it was just a spur-of-the-moment thing.
Ed
You might check the Athearn site. They are releasing in 2017 some Roundhsoue 4-4-0's, 2-6-0's and 2-8-0's. I bought all three some years ago and they were DCC ready with the nine pin connector.
Check the Genesis page also. I thought I saw an email from Athearn not to log ago.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I know you said that you are looking for something else than Bachmann. May I ask why? The spectrum line is generally very good, apart from a few duds, that have been clearly identified on this forum. They are generally DCC ready. Are you looking for specific prototypes?
Simon
Finding steam engines that are DCC-ready is pretty easy, most all engines made the last 10-15 years have an eight-pin receptacle in the tender. Finding which of those are DCC/Sound ready (i.e., have an opening in the tender for a speaker) is kinda hit-and-miss. Generally, the newer the engine, the more likely it is to have an area set up to accept a speaker.
Keep in mind that if you find an engine you like, drilling a few holes in the tender floor and installing a 1" speaker isn't all that hard.
Google different manufacturers and include dcc ready. The DCC industry is always changing. I have been watching Athearn and Bachmann for some years and they have had DCC ready.
You will need a decoder, speaker and maybe a stay alive module. No idea if any decoders with battery, decoder and speaker being sold but bluetooth is emerging for HO scale.