DCC in Athearn BB locos

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I know this info is out there somewhere, but I can’t seem to find it. Does anybody know of a website with a writeup (preferably with pictures) on installing DCC in the older Athearn Blue Box locomotives? I’ve found quite a few deals on Athearn BB diesels on ebay, but I don’t know what I need to do to make them DCC compatible.

Thanks!

Jeremy

2

http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/Athearn%20SD45/athearn_sd45.htm

Here is one from the TCS web site.

Digitrax also makes a harness for non solder wiring of a decoder.

3

Looks like what I’m preparing my Athearn PA’s for. Thanks for the link. I had already isolated the motors like they said but mine doesn’t look quite as nice as their’s.

4

I don’t bother to cut the tabs off, I just bend them back up and then insulate with Kapton or is it Kaptron tape.

5

Digitrax also makes drop-in decoders for Athearn BB locos, complete with clips that fits over the Athearn motors: DH-123AT and DH-163AT.

6

I’m saving this thread. This is info I didn’t know.

7

Exactly! lol I have an Athearn SW1500 Special Edition “River Street Rambler” loco coming my way, (River Street, Savannah, GA… I live in GA, thought it would be a cool loco to have!) and I wanted to make sure I could easily convert it to DCC when I get my system up and running!

Thanks for all the info guys! Looks like it’s gonna be alot easier than I thought to convert one to DCC!