I’m a green horn when it comes to DCC so my questions might be a bit stupid.
Do all the engines that operate on a DCC layout have to be DCC equipped and if they are not will they just sit there or is there a way to still operate them?
Is there a store online that sells DCC equipment relatively cheap? Are the prices coming down or have they stayed pretty much stable?
What DCC manufacturer would you recommend?
Is it relatively easy to equip non DCC engines with DCC equipment? Whats the learning curve?
First question, it depends on the engine. Non DCC engines will run on your DCC layout, but not well and noisily. Also, if you let them sit for any length of time, they will probably heat up and may burn out the motor. Best to convert them so that you can run them safely. Conversion is a whole nuther topic.
Loy’s Toys, Tony’s Train Exchange, and Litchfield Station come to mind, all competitive. Google them, call them, and ask about your installation requirements. They’ll gladly help.
We can’t really help too much about DCC and decoders without knowing what you will want in the way of performance, and which decoders will work in your engines. That all requires YOU to begin to educate yourself…the calls to these places will help you immensely, and they all have self-help topic sections you can access. The different systems have issues that confound some of us, so we can’t really suggest that system A is the way to go without you telling us that you need X,Y, and Z capabilities and features. Short answer, it can’t be answered this way.
The learning curve can be steep; it depends on what you bring in the way of self-confidence and prior learning. Can you disassemble a loco pretty easily? How’s your wiring and soldering skills? Etc.
Also, older electric motors can be hardly worth the conver
First, all the good stuff you’ve heard about DCC is true. You run the trains, not the track. That means you control each individual locomotive, regardless of where it is on your layout. You also have the ability to “MU” two or more locomotives together and run them as a set, all responding to the same commands. Running with DCC brought back that old delight and wonder of trains I had when I was a kid. Yeah, it’s really that good.
I started again about a year ago, with boxes of trains that had been stored in attics and basements for 40 years. Selector is right - converting old locomotives may not be worth it. Of course, the first problem was that most of mine would hardly run on DC. Of the 8 or 9 engines I actually thought might be worth running, I managed to find one that runs well with a decoder. Hopefully, your locomotives are in better shape than most of mine were. (Two of mine, by the way, are now “geldings” and run along as dummies behind working engines.)
Other than the real low-end systems, all the manufacturers offer excellent products. I’ve got a Lenz 100 system, which I’m very happy with. It’s important to note that all DCC locomotives are compatable with all DCC control systems. However, all components of control systems are not interchangeable. You can’t, for example, plug a Digitrax throttle into a Lenz system, or vice-versa. Also, you should be aware that some older systems don’t support some of the new “function codes,” so you might be able to run a brand new locomotive with them, but you can’t toot the whistle.
Newer locomotives are easier to equip with DCC. You might need to do a bit of soldering, or you locomotive might be “DCC-ready” which usually means it has a plug to put a decoder in. On older locomotives, you might have to “isolate” the motor from the frame, which isn’t a big deal, but it needs to be done.
I’ve also tried to run a few locomotives as “Engine Zero,” which is the address you use to control a DC engine on a DC
DCC can be as easy or challenging as you like. Some engines come with decoders, others are DCC “ready” this can mean many different things. The older engines can be a challenge, but worth it. I just installed a decoder in a brass engine from the 60s .It runs well. Don’t get a "starter " set,you will want to upgrade very soon. I dont know of anyone that went back to DC after trying DCC. In a few years DCC will be the default control system, might as well get your feet wet now.
Most of my engines have been purchased off ebay mostly Athearn. Are they easy to convert? Some of my engines “might” be from the late 70’s - early 80’s. I think most of the Athearn engines are 90’s models all a running good. Money is about the only thing holding me back and some **** poor sodering abilities don’t want to ruin a good engine.