Does anyone have a good idea where to get the cheapest DCC locomotive (Santa Fe). I am actually wanting 3 of them. Also I was wanting to know where to get some good couplers that last. I now have spring loaded couplers and they are not worth a thing. All the springs fell out and now they won’t stay hooked together. I actually have just a cheap DC Alaska set.
Sherwyn,
You can find some great bargains at M.B. Klein and Trainworld. (Look in the discounted and blowout sections) I’ve also heard good things about the inexpensive Bachmann DCC-equipped locomotives. Price range: $30-40.
Tom
Tom,
Thanks, That is very much appreciated.
Sherwyn
As to couplers, the de facto standard is Kadee. (http://www.kadee.com/) They have conversion tables to help you decide which is best for your needs. The most common is the #5 and the newer #148 whisper is very easy to pop in as long as your car is the correct height. Also the #205 coupler height gauage is highly recommended to ensure a consistent coupler mounting height.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
gderem,
Once again, very much appreciated.
tom,
I like your website and pics, I actually just became a member.
Sherwyn
Sherwyn,
Thanks for the encouragement. Let us know how you do on finding those SF locomotives.
Tom
I can’t seem to find much. Maybe I am Blind or am not looking in the right place? Just for your info, I was looking for a emd gp40 santa fe engine (dcc)
You might define what you mean by cheap DCC? You probably are not going to find a Santa Fe locomotive with DCC insatalled for less than $75-$100, at a bargin hobby shop. You probably should be looking for DCC ready locomotives and install your own decoders.
Athern blue box locomotives can usually be found on Internet hobby shop or ebay for a good price. Digitrax sells a DCC decoder with an Athern wiring harness which makes DCC installation easy. A lot of large hobby shops and Internet hobby shops have close out sales on old PK2 runs.
You could probably pick up some Santa Fe Proto 2000 units for about $35 from an Internet hobby shop then install your own decoders. I picked up three new PK2, Santa Fe GP30s on ebay last year for about $30 each, but I paid another $30 each for decoders, so the end cost was about $60 per unit.
Your problem on ebay is there are alot of Santa Fe modelers out ther looking for a bargin too.
JIM
I do not mean junky when i said cheap. I want only the best on my layout. I do know that they are out there and and I don’t think I need to pay 60 bucks a piece for them. A year or two ago we had a show in Kansas City which is about 80-90 miles from here and there was some there with DCC installed with lights and the whole works for 35 bucks. I was then not ready to get a DCC setup though so I did not get it. Several years ago I saw them in the MRR magazine for 42 bucks. Then again I was not yet ready. Why I was asking is because I now want and am ready for a DCC setup. I just wanted to know if there was any on the internet.
the internet IS your place to look. www.trainworld.com has lots of great deals on old P2K locos. Now old in this case isnt OLD, a couple years at most, and they are still great engines equipped with A plug that allows you to just drop in a decoder. All you need to know is how to take off the shell. You can find a decent but cheap decoder for $12-$15.
Sherwyn,
Bachmann makes this DCC-equipped Santa Fe GP40 for $55.
(Click link below)
Bachmann Santa Fe GP40
You can buy it from Bachmann directly (in stock) or do a Google search to see if you can’t find it cheaper somewhere else.
Tom
I have that Santa Fe GP and I think they can be found for around 40$. Mine runs great and I have had no problems with what so ever.
Magnus
Thanks,
Actually I found this myself while looking last night. Thanks anyway though.
Sherwyn