I am looking for a good on line place to buy some DCC equiped diesel locos.
The place I generally use doesn’t have much of a selection in the DCC equiped line, so I thought I would ask here. I am looking for good quality and have heard that the Atlas and the Kato are among the best.
Can anyone here help me with some advice? Thanks, Mike
These guys always seem to have a good selection, although I have not opersonally used them (lots of good feedback from other users, however). Best part is you can see their current inventory levels before you order:
M.B. Klein
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/
I have purchased from these guys:
Rio Grande Hobbies
http://4nscale.com/
They are actually on the other side of town from where I live here in Atlanta and I have gone in to the actual store. Very nice people, very dilligint about shipping and orders and the like. And something just gets me going when you walk into a store that is 100% N-scale from the floor to ceiling, front to back.
Jamie
Hi
If you are looking for internet sits there are plenty. Some of my favorite are http://atlasrr.com/, http://katousa.com/, http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/index.php, http://www.internethobbies.com/, http://www.athearn.com/. Google search results for ‘n scale dcc locomotives’ http://www.google.com/search?num=30&hl=en&safe=active&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=n+scale+dcc+locomotives&spell=1
If that wasnt enough go to google and type something in like, n scale locamotives, dcc locamotives in n scale. Hope that helps.
tim
I’ll second MB Klein. Here’s another (Brooklyn Locomotive Works):
Your question is specific…“Factory equipped N scale locos”…well I know of only two manufacturers who offer readily equipped locos.First,Atlas offers a few models (I own a Trainmaster) that you only need to reprogram their adresses if you want to run them simultaneously or use adress 03 and run them as they come.The Atlas are equipped with Lenz decoders that are reliable that I know of and the locos are fine engines also.
The other make that I know of are Broadway Limited’s “Precision Scale Models” line.They come with Loksound DCC/sound decoders as an option.The models are limited (I believe 2 or 3 diesels and one steamer) so far but the one I saw/heard running was performing great.
Then if you don’t mind a little work,Kato locos are the best in my mind but don’t come already DCC equipped that I know of.However,they are as DCC ready as can be and dropping a proper decoder into them is a piece of cake.Read the instructions that come with the decoder,a little skill and careful handling and the operation takes ten minutes.You dont even need tools.
www.onlinetrains.com Free Shipping over 50.00 fast service
Try http://www.wig-wag-trains.com/
They have a great selection and will install decoders for any that are not already factory equipped.
You are better off dealing with a good supplier that will install decoders for you. In most DCC equipped engines you are getting bottom of the barrel very basic decoders which in some cases actually run worse in DCC then DC and for the extra amount you pay for the DCC equipped you can pay for a good decoder and the installation.
That is true in some cases but not all…
The thing to remember is the overall cost including DCC ready locomotive,the decoder price and paying to have it installed.
A Atlas N Scale DCC equipped locomotive can be had for around $90.00 street…
Hence the fact I said “most” meaning not all. But in the example you used of Atlas, this is one that uses bottom of the barrel outdated Lenz decoders and for what you pay for the decoder equipped you should be getting something equivilent to a Digitrax DN163 board.
The new release of of Dash 8-40CW’s from Atlas will be equipped with NCE. Now the reason for this is because they are coming with ditchlights, which is a first for Atlas N scale, and will be set up to flash. The old Lenz decoders they normally use don’t have enough functions for this.
I buy most of my locomotives and decoders from Fifer Hobbies. If the locomotive doesn’t come with a decoder, Mike will usually be able to install one for you.
Irv