Hello, I just started in the hobby this week. I have a lot to learn. I have been buying books, DVD’s, and some Woodland Scenics stuff.
Today I bought an Atlas Item #8620 U23B locomotive CXS - Road #3243, DCC installed at a hobby store for $75. Is this a good deal and is this a good engine?
I will be back here very frequently as there appears to be a wealth of information here.
Thanks, Paul.
Glad to hear that you are going DCC from the beginning. Is it Digitrax, or some other ? Is this to be an HO layout. Are you planning for cross-overs or reverse loops ? What is the square footage size of the layout going to be? Is this to be a “round and round” layout, or one with many turnouts ? Post a photo of your progress. Do you know how to Post photos ? Bob Hahn
Welcome aboard. [#welcome]
Atlas mades a wide line of diesels and they are all excellent, so you can’t go wrong there.
This particular HO scale loco was first produced in late 2006 and originally retailed for $109.95. It was DCC Ready, equipped with an 8-pin NMRA plug.
It is unclear if the $75 that you paid was just for the decoder and the cost to install it or whether the $75 was the total cost to purchase the loco and have the decoder installed.
It looks like you can still buy this loco new on eBay for around $75. A typical decoder would cost another $30, not including the labor charge to install it.
Rich
Atlas makes good-solid locomotives. I’d say with the decoder installed the price you paid was great for new and in the ball park for used. When you come up with questions, here is a pretty good place to get some answers. Take your time and enjoy! No need to answer all the questions asked by one of the posters above about turn back loops and stuff! However, I also think starting with DCC is the way to go.
Welcome to the asylum, Paul You’ve picked a fun and addictive hobby.
WOW! That’s a LOT of questions! Um, I don’t know what half of this stuff means. I bought a book on very basic DCC so I’m learning. I never heard of Digitrax, what is it? Track I guess?
Yes, HO.
What are crossovers and reverse loops? I have to find room in my house for it so today I’m going to do some measuring of a room and stuff I can move around. Space is limited but manageable. I’ll post photos when I get started, promise.
[#welcome] Atlas is a good quality engine to start with. Where in GA are you at? I grew up in South Georgia. Are you planning to model CSX? If it is not too far away, I would recommend a visit to the Folkston Funnel… you can get a lot of weathering inspiration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blut46zm0qE&list=UU5WrNMy40Uocx8_HTqYiduw&index=3&feature=plcp
Thanks for all your replies. I bought it used. Man, do I have a LOT to learn. I want to do this right the first time so I want to plan and plan and learn and learn as much as I can beforehand.
I have an electrical/electronics/woodworking/avionics background and I can build or fix just about anything so it won’t be a problem.
I’ll just have a lot of questions…
I’m in Douglasville, about 20 miles west of ATL.
I’ll try to take your advice about a visit. Thanks!
GREAT video! Wish I could save it. I’m gonna have to go! Thanks for that.
If you know where to shop, a good quality NCE decoder can be had for as little as $13, and installation is as simple as plugging it into the circuit board, so why pay someone to do that?
I don’t know about $13.
The recommended NCE decoder for an Atlas U23B is a D14SR which can be had on eBay for about $25 plus shipping. So, I think $30 is about the right price.
Regarding installation, a rank newbie may be too intimidated to attempt it, plus fears of damaging the shell when removing it to reach the plug, plus soldering skills if required.
Rich
Hi Rich. I don’t think I’d be intimidated as I worked on delicate aircraft electronics and electrical systems all my life. I’m real hand with a soldering iron of all types. Wiring is second nature to me as well as reading schematics. I rewire things all the time.
What is REAL intimidating to me however is the layout process, trying to figure out what I want etc. I know I don’t want to do a prototype (I learned that word from the books I’m reading). What I want is a layout with a mountain, a tunnel, several buildings, and some water. Just a fantasy railroad.
I plan on using the Woodland Scenics foam system as it seems very easy to use and work with.
Thanks for the information regarding what DCC controller to buy, I will look for it.
Hi again Rich, I looked up the decoder, it has one installed, or rather the box says it has a decoder installed. What I need to know is what DCC controller I would need. Any model numbers off the top of your head?
Thanks.
I’m learnin’! [:)] AND loving this hobby.
Looks like I’ll have enough room for a 4 foot by 14 foot layout.
I agree most decoders are in the $19.00-45.00 range depending on the goodies…
I suspose a cheap decoder can be had around $13.00.
There are several good DCC systems out there, most of us here use either NCE or Digitrax (myself). Both are respected systems and easliy upgraded so you don’t have to go out and start over if you find you need a bigger system. A very popular starter system that won’t break the bank is Digitrax Zephyr which can be had well under $200.
Tell us about your room size. 4 x 14 sounds like you are going to doing a table top like layout… not that is bad but if you have a whole room to use, a around the wall layout would give a lot more room to work and able to give you scenery more variety, throw in a small peninsula and you easily have 60 feet of track or more.
The room is my office at home. It is 14’ 6" x 13’ 11". I have the entire room laid out now on graph paper including the desk and the chair. I came up with a 4’ x 12’ long layout table. That includes a one foot space away from the wall. Is this advisable or is it better against a wall?
But, I could possibly make it into an L shape which would be 14’ long x 6’ wide so I could put an L shape in there. It is a large room but I have to contend with a door, a closet on the opposite wall, a window where my desk will be moved to and three bookcases along the other wall which would not be in the way at all.
Digitrax is a DCC manufacturer. I have the Digitrax Zephyr which is more than adequate for my needs.