DCC on N scales
- Thread starter Livesteam
- Start date
I've been purchasing Kato and Atlas engines, all of which have been DCC Ready. So you just buy the proper DCC decorder for the engine, and just swap out the onboard control board with the DCC on and you're done.
I'm sure most other brands these days are DCC ready as well.
I'm sure most other brands these days are DCC ready as well.
I decided NOT to go DCC for two reasons.
First and foremost, the cost. I did not feel the cost was worth it for a home layout.
Second: It is hard enough finding Old tyme Steam locomotives as it is, without adding the extra criteria of DCC.
First and foremost, the cost. I did not feel the cost was worth it for a home layout.
Second: It is hard enough finding Old tyme Steam locomotives as it is, without adding the extra criteria of DCC.
Do you plan to run more than 2 trains? if you do, you'll soon find the cost is almost as much as doing a DC block system. And most new steam is DCC read as well, some do require some minor adjustments to get the decoder in, but most don't.Will_annand said:
As for the Original poster, first buy a DCC system, second you will either have to add a decoder to a DCC ready Loco or wire a decoder in yourself. It's a realitively painless operation. DCC Systems are pretty much (at the bare basic level) uplug DC controller, Plug in DCC system. Decoders run from $12-20 for a basic one, Sytems run from $80 (for a really bare base system) to $300 (for a good system) to thousands for Zimo.
Actually, Jay, you can run several trains at once under a properly wired DC block system. I was testing running four at once yesterday, there were some glitches, but I think I can work around it. Just requires more work and less $$. 
As to your statement about more locos coming... Yes, but I do not want to run deisel.
I am a steam man 100%
Try finding DC in the following:
0-4-0
0-6-0
0-8-0
2-6-0
2-8-0 (maybe)
4-4-0
4-4-2
4-6-0
As to your statement about more locos coming... Yes, but I do not want to run deisel.
I am a steam man 100%
Try finding DC in the following:
0-4-0
0-6-0
0-8-0
2-6-0
2-8-0 (maybe)
4-4-0
4-4-2
4-6-0
you and me bothWill_annand said:I am a steam man 100%
Let's see, yea the 0-4-0 would be nice. but you could kitbash one out of a 2-6-0, by removing the ponies and rear drivers, then shortening the boiler and chassis on the front to get a working 0-4-0. the 0-8-0 could be made by taking a 2-8-0 and removing the ponies and shorting the boiler and chassis on the front.
Bachmann and life like make a 0-6-0.
Bachmann and MDC (now Athearn) make 2-8-0, Model Power and atlas make 2-6-0's, 4-4-0's are made by bachmann and Model power and would make great conversions to 0-4-0's.
But yea, there needs to be more steam, outside brass, haven't seen any 4-4-2's or 4-6-0's, but again, you could potentially kitbash one out of something else.