I have not attempted a hard-wire install yet, but maybe it is getting close to time to give it a try. I have an old Digitrax DH142 that I got from I don't know where (Digitrax discontinued this and the unit that replaced it), would this work and be a good first try decoder?
Looks like that might be large for N scale if that is what you want to do. For around $30 you could pickup a much smaller and a lot better decoder to use. I love the LokPilot above myself but have also used the DZ123 & the DZ126T. Once you have done a hard-wire a time or two you will see there isn't that much to it as long as you aren't having to do any extensive milling but that frame looks like it isn't going to need that. I have installs and easy ways to mill a lot of frames here.... https://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Decoder-1/Decoders-Index.html Sumner
I'm a big SP fan buuuuuuuuuut that loco just isn't right. We could probably set up a go fund me page to pay for the paint if need be.
My most recent purchases are the Intermountain F7A's in the Western Maryland "Trail Blazer" aka Circus Paint Scheme. At the time of purchase my local hobby shop only had these in DC. I was able to also purchase the ESU LokPilot 5 DCC Decoder with the Next18 plug. After getting the shell off, this was probably one of the easiest DCC conversions I've ever done. Simply unplug the DC jumper board from the light board and plug in the ESU LokPilot 5 with the Next18 plug and you're done. I use JMRI Decoder Pro for programming my DCC decoders and must admit, the number of selections for these ESU LokPilot 5 decoders is a little mind boggling. But after some trial and error and help from the JMRI popup help tips, I got these two locomotives performing like fine Swiss watches. All in all, these are great looking and running locomotives. Something that really caught my eye, the number board lights and head light operate separately, what a neat feature, especially in N scale. I am very impressed with these Intermountain locomotives and now a little disappointed they never released their ICG Paducah Geeps.
I finally had time (made time?) to open the F59PHI Black Widow up and surprise, it is ready for a drop-in decoder. Hard to tell from the pic but the right side of the frame is already milled for a round speaker. I will check on the sound decoder in the pic Sumner posted above, and still look into the LokPilot micro for another project for first time solder install. Thanks for the input.....
So there is no confusion none of the decoders in the picture I posted are sound. I've been using ESU sound decoders though for my sound installs. One drop-in and the other were wired. Love them. Sumner
My apologies Sumner, I should have been more clear. When I went to the Digitrax site I found the decoder BELOW the one you have highlighted is a sound version. I was not looking for sound originally but since the frame is ready and a drop-in board is available then why not? I will probably need to change the speaker from the oval supplied to a round one to fit the spot already in the frame. Again, sorry for the confusion Sumner.
No problem and to add to the confusion .....................I thought you were referencing the last image I posted with the 4 decoders.....should of realized you were referencing the earlier one that was a screen shot of a Digitrax page showing the sound and non-sound decoder. Let us know how you like it, Sumner
Now that's a pleasant surprise! The older version was Athearn's very first N scale loco, and boy do they run like a first attempt. No amount of speed table finagling could quite hide the fact that the original mechanism wanted to run faster and louder than a Saturn V rocket.
Newest is the KATO BigBóy #4014. Have not seen it yet, gotta wait for family to bring it with them on next visit to hospital. Should have the 3 numbered Attlas SD45's. With DCC/LocSound. Hopefully due out any time. An email from Tony's, when I placed my order, said 1st Qtr of 2024. And was able to préorder 4 of. 12 ScaleTrains Rio Grande Tunnel Motors,. Also DCC/LocSound. Website says Oct of 2024, expected.
(2) Atlas N Scale ACF 89' F89-J Flatcar/Triple Hitches TTX/RTTX (Yellow) #600952 Ready-to-run Die-cast metal frame Fine-scale detail Accurately painted/printed (multiple variations!) Collapsed & raised hitch detail (on cars with hitches) Prototypical ride height 70-Ton BLMA trucks Fine-scale BLMA metal wheels
A pair of CN Zebra Striped Atlas GP40-2W with DCC and sound from Micro Mark at a crazy low price even when tax, duty and shipping added
