DCC install in N locos

[Gwolfe]

Thanks to all who have offered advice on this subject. Alas my "fleet" predates the "drop in" era so I'll check with the shops recommended. I live in Taiwan for all but the summer months so I'll tackle this in June.

Thanks again,

Glenn Wolfe

[Adelie]

Bikerdad is right on the Kato locomotives. Atlas is a mixed bag, though. Some are designed for drop-in decoders and some not. And some of the ones that are have no drop-in decoders commercially available for purchase (like the VO-1000), meaning conversions require some degree of surgery. It's odd, because you can buy the locomotive with a drop-in decoder installed at the factory, but you can't buy the decoder, even from Atlas as a spare part! So, when looking at an Atlas that is supposed to be DCC-ready, check on a site like Digitrax to see if they have a decoder available for that model.

[Bikerdad]

I wouldn't be to quick to farm it out if I were you, at least not all of it. All of the newer Kato locomotives (except the Mikado) have drop-in decoders available. Installation amounts to removing the shell, putting a bit of Kapton tape (shipped with the decoder) at specified locations, dropping the decoder in place, testing (i.e., will it take programming?) and replacing the shell. No soldering, no cutting wires, no milling frames. Total time? Not counting shell removal, 10 minutes for your first one, 3 minutes once you're comfortable with the process.

Many of the newer Atlas locos also have drop-ins.

If you have the necessary skills to remove the shell, you can install drop-ins. Doing so will save you some serious $$$, which can be used to pay for installations on the more challenging locos.

[cacole]

There are many decoder installers advertising in Model Railroader and other magazines.

Tony's Train Exchange in Vermont and Loy's Toys in Arkansas are probably the two best-known companies. Litchfield Station in Arizona is another good choice if you don't have the moxie to do it yourself or can't find someone near you who knows how.

If you know of a model railroad club in your vicinity, contact them and inquire about decoder installations. Sometimes local clubs have at least one member who knows how to install decoders. I've performed close to a hundred HO-scale installs, but would never attempt N-scale.

[Adelie]

There are a handful (probably more) of very good "surgeons" that can do the job. Tony's does fine work. I also suspect Loy's is good (never actually seen their work). Southern Digital also does such installations. The other thing Southern Digital sells (and will use) are replacement frames (DigiFrames) that are as heavy or heavier than the original, even though they have a place for the decoder already molded or milled out.

This type of service is by no means a monopoly.

[SpaceMouse]

Tony's Trains. If he can't install them. It can't be done.

Before I do any DCC install I call and get his opinion--then buy the decoder from him. It cost's me a buck or so over the best price I can find.


(I Imagine Loy's Toy's is the same way.)

[Gwolfe]

Over the years -- for my as yet fantasy layout, I haved purchased a dozen or so N-scale locomotives, primarly Kato, Atlas and Life Like. With DCC now on the scene I lack the requisite skills and confidence to install decoders. What are my options?

Thanks,

Glenn