Who has the best /clearest instructions for this(to me) scary application?
[xx(]Art Gordon
If you’re too scared to try it, send your locomotive to someone who does professional installations, such as Tony’s Train Exchange or Litchfield Station…
http://www.tonystrains.com
http://www.litchfieldstation.com
Once you learn how to install a decoder, which is a relatively simple procedure even in an older non DCC ready locomotive such as an Athearn, it becomes an easy task regardless of the locomotive or decoder.
As far as decoder instructions themselves, two of the best on installation instructions are NCE and Lenz. Digitrax and TCS instructions are also easy to follow.
But you must be aware that all of these instructions are generic and assume that you know how to take the locomotive apart and how to perform some simple wiring and soldering as necessary.
I was a complete novice to DCC two months ago. Now I’ve done six DCC conversions including a Rivarossi Challenger. Before you do anything, read, read, read.
To answer your question… http://www.digitrax.com
Also TCS: http://www.tcsdcc.com They have plenty of installation pictures for various locos.
The exact details are going to depend on exactly what loco you are trying to put a decoder in. Depending on the loco, it can be anywhere from ridiculously simple to “mommy, I’m scared”.
–Randy