Pre DCC locos - convert or replace?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello,

I have a dozen brand new N-scale Kato and Atlas locos I purchased in the 1990s for an eventual retirement layout (2 years to go). Should I have decoders installed in these units or would I be better off to sell them and buy new DCC-equipped or encoder-ready locomotives? If the former, can someone recommend a reputable company/person where this can be done? If the latter, is there a market for pristine condition pre-DCC equipment?

Thanks,

Glenn

2

If they were mine I would have decoders installed. I have locos older than the ones you have that have been converted and they run just fine.

3

Those aren’t really “old” - they are quality good runnign locos. Most of that era need to have the frame milled to make room for a decoder. There are a couple of companies that can do this for you.

–Randy

4

You can also use a decoder made for a smaller scale. I don’t need sound and all that so I prefer the Digitrax DZ125 decoder for motor and light control. The decoder is so small it can be tucked in almost anywhere without having to mill out valuable weight.