A recently joined club member is thinking of buying a European style steam loco, such as a Swiss 2-10-0 available from Roco, to head up his rolling European stock when running on the club layout (Digitrax DCC system).
What are the issues about equipping Roco, Piko and Trix locos to run with DCC?
There should be no issues. We use DCC here in Europe also.
The loco in question comes DCC ready, but unlike in the US, this does not necessarily mean that you can just plug in a decoder and off you go. It could mean, that there is just a soldering pad, to which you have to solder the decoder.
Btw, a nice looking loco!
The DCC protocol is a development of the German company Lenz, the pioneers of DCC.
I would check to see what socket is on the locomotive’s electronics board (if any).
It seems to me that the 21 pin connector is the popular choice in Europe.
Native 21 pin decoders are made by ESU (including LokSound), Bachmann (which I think is an outsourced ESU low line), Lenz, Zimo, and others. ESU (and possibly others) also offer a 21 to 8 pin conversion adaptor.
I’m not sure where you could verify the connector type other than the manufacturers site or a testmonial from a current owner.
BTW, PCM locos also have 21 pin boards and decoders.
Isambard,
The process is the same as for a U.S.-prototype locomotive. Some recent Euro-prototype locomotives have 21-pin sockets, some have 8-pin, and older locomotives often don’t have a socket. In most cases you’ll find a DC can motor. In a few cases you may find a coreless motor or an open-frame motor, so make sure the decoder can handle the type of motor that’s in the locomotive. The biggest challenge I’ve had is finding the space for a decoder on older locomotives, especially steam locomotives with tender drive.
Good luck, and thanks for reading MR!
Terry
Ok. let me correct some misinformation here
The 21 pole socket is used mostly by Trix and Märklin, Roco does not use it.
At least Roco have a 8 pole NMRA socket in practically all locos made the last 15 years. The first Roco loco that had a socket was the swiss Re 460, and that was in the late 80’s.
If the loco the OP is talking about is made after 2000 it has a 8 pin socket.
/stefan
I have a few Piko engines of their Hobby line (lower detail/lower price line). They ALL have 8-pin socket, so DCC conversion is 5 to 10 min. job.
Roco engines of the last 15-20 years also have 8-pin socket and are full DCC ready. They also use 12V bulbs with light conduits, so no resistors are needed in almost all cases.
Piko Hobby 0-8-0 steamer (with the tender drive) has a dedicated place for the decoder in the boiler. I have installed fairly large HO decoder (TCS T1) in this engine without problems.
I have Trix PA double engine set and even though it has DCC decoder, it doesn’t appear to be easily upgradable to DCC with sound. There is a space for speaker, but there are no standard sockets for aftermarket decoder. Each unit has controlling board, with one unit having small daughter board with what appears to be a DCC decoder. Strangely enough manual shows speaker installed in one of the diagrams.
I guess we’re talking HO; I’ve just sold an almost new Piko “Taurus” diesel that came with a standard 8 pin socket and as others have said, most Roco locomotives also have this same socket. Mostly it’s plug ‘n’ play.
Newer Trix do have the 21 pin socket but beware as some older Trix and Fleischmann models have a 6 pin decoder socket (I think this was to NEM 651 standard).
Fleischmann used to make a suitable decoder (part #6876), and I believe Lenz and Gaugemaster (in the UK) also sell such decoders.
Ian