newbie needs a little direction with DCC

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,
got a stupid question, how hard is it to convert older mid-70s engines from atheran from dc to dcc...or is that impossible. also how hard is it to convert modern dcc to dc? again thanks guys and gails for the help and maybe thses qusetions may be able to help others out too. Well...everyone enjoy the exciting world of railroading in minature. Thanks again to all. [8D]

[jrbernier]

1970's era Athearn is no problem - Digitrax even has a harness to make the conversion a 'no solder' endevor. Most DCC engines will run on DC, the decoder detects what kind of current is on the rail.

Jim Bernier

[tstage]

Jeremy,

Converting older, pre-DCC manufacturerd locomotives will probably be challenging but not necessarily impossible. Some may, however, not be very DCC "decoder-friendly". You many have to isolate the motor from the frame.

Jeremy, depending on the type of locomotives you are presently running, it may be worth considering picking up one of the Bachmann "decoder-equipped" diesels. They're your basic locomotive and will run you around $40. When converting an older locomotive, you do have to take into account the "headache" and "frustration" factor.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Before you think of the conversion the har***ruth is that the older Athearns run pretty crappy in DCC after converted. They say you should remotor them but if you are going to do all that then I figure you might as well go and buy newer engines. Keep the older ones on the shelf as a show piece.

[grayfox1119]

Good advice Butch, I have an old Rivarossi from the early 70's, and I might shelf that loco too.