I have 2 HO Athern Genesis SD70M locomotives that I am detailing for my layout which is DC. Is it possible to set them up for both DC and DCC? I would like to run them on my friend’s layout but he has DCC and my layout is DC. I don’t have the money to buy and detail separate locomotives so I am wondering if it is possible to have some sort of switch that would allow me to run my locomotives on either layout. Your help will be appreciated.
Thanks
blueriver
I don’t know if it depends on the system, but I know that on the Digitrax Zephyr DCC system you can run one DC locomotive at a time. I think that there are also decoders that allow you to switch back and forth between DC and DCC, but you might not want one unless you want to run more than one DC loco at a time on your friend’s layout. And just a sidenote, when the DC locomotive does run on DCC, it emits a high-pitched sound, especially at lower speeds.
Reed
You don’t need a switch, but you do need to install decoders in your locomotives. A decoder can be programmed to allow both DC and DCC operation. You would have to take the locomotives to his layout and program them. The value programmed into Bit #2 of Configuration Variable 29 determines whether a locomotive will run on DCC only or on both DC and DCC. I suggest that you peruse Tony’s Train Exchange or Loy’s Toys for a suitable decoder. A North Coast Engineering type DA-SR decoder is what you will need for the Athearn SD70s, and both locomotives will require decoders. The lights will also have to have resistors added to their circuits. One advantage of running the Athearn SD70s on DCC is that the ditch lights can be made to flash.
Cacole knows what he’s talking about. Just be sure when you choose your decoder that it supports DC conversion. If it is correctly programmed, it will automatically switch to and from DC when it detects it as the power source on a layout. Digitrax offers some specialized decoders. Look at their website for information on your particular loco. www.digitrax.com
I haven’t tried my decoder equipped locos on a DC layout yet,but I read that DCC locos will run on DC.However,I’ve tried a few DC locos on a DCC layout(adress 00) and I’m not thrilled by the results.First,the motors “sing” on DCC and worse they accumulate heat real quick,so they can’t be left on the layout for more than a few minutes.
If you can afford it,I suggest you have one equipped with a decoder so that you could run it on both layouts,and use the other one freely at home and with caution on your friend’s layout
What about atlas’ dual mode decoders
Atlas so-called “dual mode” decoders do not do automatic DC/DCC conversion like Digitrax, TCS, and others. They have a jumper you must move each time to switch between modes.
–Randy