DCC on Athearn PA1 HELP!

[Anonymous]

OK. I have several Athearn PA1 locos and I am trying to put a MRC (AD310) DCC decoder in it. Does anyone know how to do this, or where to get some assistance on the web? I want to do this myself, but have heard horror stories about blowing the decoder if something wasn't quite right. I know that I need to isolate the motor. There are no wires on these locos. Everything is a metal "bar" that contacts something else to move the electricity around. I know that I will have to bi-pass this somehow, but want to learn from other's mistakes before I blow the $25 decoder.
Thanks!

[e-mail]

[Sperandeo]

Hello Nick,

You can see how to install decoders in Athearn locomotives in two MODEL RAILROADER articles:

"The EasyDCC command control system: part 3 - decoder installation," by Keith Gutierrez and Lee Rayburn, in the April 1997 issue, page 80.

"Workin' on the Railroad: Simple DCC decoder installations," by Lionel Strang, in the
September 1999 MR, page 109.

If you don't have these back issues you can order them from the "Shopping" section of this Web site, or by e-mail to [e-mail].

Good luck with your decoders,

Andy

Andy Sperandeo
MODEL RAILROADER Magazine

[nfmisso]

Nick;

The easiest thing to do is get Digitrax DH163AT decoders, these are plug and play for Athearn. See:
http://www.digitrax.com/mobdec.htm#DH163at

Nigel

[Anonymous]

Do you know if the Digitrax decodcers will work with an MRC 2000 system? It sure looks easy. I could save my current decoder for one of my non-athearn locos....

[Anonymous]

Hello,

In addition to Andy's recommendations, there is an illustrated article on this Web site at http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/002/386vdfwa.asp showing how to install Digital Command Control decoders in Athearn locomotives.

Hope this helps,

Paul Schmidt
Contributing Editor
Trains.com

[Anonymous]

OK. I found another site that shows this on the PA1 (which is similar to the GP40 installation)...
I hope that this is OK to post here:
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/ath_pa1.htm

[nfmisso]

The NMRA conformance warrant requires that any decoder equipped loco work on any DCC system.

I use what ever decoder has the best mix of size, ease of installation, and features for each application, independent of the decoder supplier.

Nigel
[e-mail]