Retro DCC

Dave R.

New Member
Hey Gang, some of y'all may remember me from a couple of years ago. Since then, I've been caught up in on30 but have keep my "N" scale collection.
Since I last ran my N stuff, I've begun to switch to DCC.
I model mostly the the named passenger trains from Florida, e.g. the FEC, Champion, SAL, Orange Blossom Special.
So what's it gonna take for me to retrofit my Life Like E6's to DCC? I generally run ABA power so maybe I could put the decoder(s) in the B
unit. Is there a chance I could put sound in there as well?
Is anyone retrofiting DCC in N steam, are there any threads?
I've put Tsunami's in my on30 stuff so I have a working Knowledge.

Thanks,
Dave R.
 

Boilerman

Member
The answer is yes to all your questions.
If you check the WWW you will find all sorts of info on the subject of installing DCC decoders in both steam and diesel locos.
 

Mountain Man

Active Member
The answer is yes to all your questions.
If you check the WWW you will find all sorts of info on the subject of installing DCC decoders in both steam and diesel locos.

And you will find that it is very hard to do in early steam engines due to lack of room inside the model.
 
I'd look at the tender as a place for the decoder for the steam locomotives. Depending on the size of the tender it may be possible to get a sound decoder and a speaker in there.

The Life-Like E6 will most likely need a frame milling in order to get a hard-wired decoder in. I don't think there are any drop in boards that would work. If there was an unpowered B unit (was there? I never bought these) that would be a place for a sound decoder and speaker.
 
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