Choosing a DCC-ready F-unit or EMD with space inside the shell: MTH/Bowser/Walthers

[gigasaurus]

I'm trying to find a wider bodied HO DCC-ready locomotive (like an F-unit or an EMD) with some extra space inside the shell. I have a project board I'd like to put inside the shell, and the board is not as small as I'd like it to be, so I want to identify which locos have some extra space inside.

I know I could put this in a trailing car, but right now my ambition is to fit it into a loco. Its close to fitting in an Athearn GP (but that shell is .25" too skinny and a bit tight in the overhead). An F unit would probably accommodate the width.

The brands I am most interested in are MTH, Walthers (and possibly Bowser). Athearn is ok, but they seem to focus on GP's.

Does anyone have any experience with DCC-Ready F-units or EMDs (whatever has a wide body) ideally in the brands I've listed who could enlighten me on how tight the available space is inside the shell?

[maxman]

gigasaurus

Athearn is ok, but they seem to focus on GP's.

What?  I think your best bet would be to find a blue box Athearn F7.  They must have made many thousands of them.  Any of those newer locos you mention will be full of circuit/light boards, plus any other available space will be filled with weight.

Oh, I just remembered that you said DCC ready.  The blue box Athearn F7 is not exactly that.  But if you are capable of cobbling up your own DCC decoder, you are certainly capable of isolating the motor in that loco for DCC.

[Texas Zepher]

gigasaurus

I'm trying to find a wider bodied HO DCC-ready locomotive

Why does it have to be DCC ready? .  Or I guess the real question is what is YOUR definition of DCC-ready as there is no real standard definition for that?

[gigasaurus]

Thanks MaxMan. I have some Athearns that I love.  I'm actually trying to design a decoder(ish) sized board that other people can install in their locos as well.  I read a lot of bad press about Athearn since they've been bought by Horizon, so with their diminishing sales (and reputation) I don't know that Athearn is the best target loco for me. I'd like to design a board that works in current DCC-ready trains.  These DCC-ready trains already are expecting a decoder, my current project board is just a little wider and a hair thicker than decoders on the market. 

An F unit or similar looking EMD should give me the width I need.  Additional clearance is hard to tell without looking inside, so I thought I'd ask around.  I appreciate your response.

[gigasaurus]

I am designing a board that will behave similar to a decoder and would plug into an 8-pin or 9-pin connection (like any other decoder).  So I'm looking for a DCC-ready train with either 8 or 9 pin (and a little extra clearance).

I know I could chop a train up or use a trailing car, but my goal at this stage is to find a DCC-ready train I fit it inside.

[maxman]

gigasaurus

I'd like to design a board that works in current DCC-ready trains.  These DCC-ready trains already are expecting a decoder, my current project board is just a little wider and a hair thicker than decoders on the market. 

An F unit or similar looking EMD should give me the width I need.

So, if I understand you correctly, you want to make a decoder that works in "current DCC-ready trains", but need to find a DCC-ready loco with a body wide enough to fit what you designed.

Are you trying to design decoders and make them commercially available?  I hate to say this, but I doubt very much that the current makers of model locos are going to redesign their products with wider hoods to accommodate your decoder.  And if you make your decoder such that it only fits wide bodied units, you will severely limit you potential market.

On the other hand, if you only need a test bed for your project, then it doesn't matter what unit you put the thing in.

I think it is your project board that needs to be re-designed.

[AntonioFP45]

Wide body with space?

Have you considered an Athearn Genesis FP45? Plenty of them show up on ebay.

[gigasaurus]

Thanks Maxman.  What I am learning is circuit-board development is an iterative process. There is a certain amount of miniaturization that is affordable and other aspects that are very expensive, so its not wise to spend a bunch of money super-miniaturizing, then later realize you need modifications, and have to spend that money again. You make what's doable, put it into a test case, make improvements, and super miniaturize as a final process.

I am within fractions of inches of clearance.  I thought I would ask if anybody had any suggestions for shells that might give me a little extra clearance, so I can move on to my next board revision.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions on any particular locomotives. Thanks again for the reply.

[gigasaurus]

The dimension of my present board is 1" x .25" x 3"

So that is the amount of space I am looking for right now.

[steemtrayn]

At this stage, why bother with a shell at all? It's going to me miniaturized eventually, right?

[gigasaurus]

Thanks for asking.  It's just my goal right now to do this.

Here is a printable template of the dimensions 1" x .25" x 3"

http://bluerailtrains.com/temp/bcw_3x1x25.pdf

If any kind soul out there would humor me and print that template out and see if it fits in your DCC-ready loco I'd really appreciate it.

[zstripe]

gigasaurus

Thanks for asking.  It's just my goal right now to do this.

Here is a printable template of the dimensions 1" x .25" x 3"

http://bluerailtrains.com/temp/bcw_3x1x25.pdf

If any kind soul out there would humor me and print that template out and see if it fits in your DCC-ready loco I'd really appreciate it.

I made Your link,clickable,should work,I hope.

Cheers,

Frank

[richhotrain]

I've got to agree with maxman and steemtrayn.

Re-design the decoder now, not later, or forget the shell and just test the oversized decoder.

The Shark Tank boys and girls would give you that same advice.

Why design something that no one can use?

Rich

[RRaddict]

Head on over to www.modeltrainstuff.com they have MTH F-3 Western Pacifics and a couple of other road names for 59.99. I bought two DCC ready ones and I think they may provide the room you need. They are nice little runners and they don't look too bad either.

Kev

[steemtrayn]

Or, you could put the thing at an angle in the shell of a dummy unit and use it to control an adjacent powered loco.

[gigasaurus]

Thanks For the tip!

[kbkchooch]

Wow, just looked at the template. That thing is bigger than a Tsunami! Good luck on finding a loco to fit it that is DCC ready! The BB F7 of FP45 have enough room, but no 8 pin plug

Being that is is a "test bed" I can see the need for a plug. I too would hate to solder and unsolder a lot. Why not take an Athearn F7 and add an 8 pin plug to it?? That way you could plug and unplug to your hearts content?

I'm sure I have some around here someplace because I won't install a decoder with them. I've forgotten exactly how many of them I have had to repair or replace for myself and for clients because of connection failures due to a) Magilla Gorilla did the initial install and smashed something or b) plug & play decoders need more space than loco manufacturers allow, hence they get smashed reinstalling the shell.

Bachmann boards and plug & play decoders, junk spelled 2 different ways.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

kbkchooch

Wow, just looked at the template. That thing is bigger than a Tsunami! Good luck on finding a loco to fit it that is DCC ready! The BB F7 of FP45 have enough room, but no 8 pin plug

I already suggested he convert a blue box F7 to his own specs but he wants something that's already built. I wish him good luck on finding something that will work exactly.

[trwroute]

I haven't had one apart in ages, but how about the Stewart FT?  They were DCC ready...