Every SD40 manufactured in 2000 and later was DCC friendly. The simple clue is the earlier SD40's that are in blue boxes are not DCC ready. The SD40's that are in green boxes are DCC ready. This does not work with the SD45's though. They need to be post 2000 as well, but the NON DCC ready version were released in the Green boxes as was the non DCC ready C30-7's. For the latter units you can check the Kato website. For the earlier units, I captured the information in a spreadsheet when I built a database to store my train information in.
Thanks so much. That really helps and also kept me from bidding on a '95 SD45. You put a lot of work into that, appreciate it and I'll use it many times I'm sure. I've been building UP rosters from the '40's to the mid '70's and also seeing what N scale models I can find that fit the rosters. Have it in text files but not done yet and have a lot of hours into it at this point. Been good for me as I've learned a lot doing it, Sumner
I know that decoders can be fitted to earlier models but at this point in my early re-entry into model RR I would like to put that off unless it is fairly simple job. Like many questions the answer is "It depends." You need to define simple for yourself, it's different. I've owned only the earliest releases, and converted all to DCC, when decoders were larger. It will require frame cuts, and may require providing for wire routing. If you are proficient in iron age metal working, you'll be fine. I did all of mine with a Dremel and many different files. Nothing disgusted me more than seeing in a magazine "First I put the frame in my Bridgeport milling machine." Just take it easy and only take out the minimum, test fitting all the way. You will find tricks to route wires. I beveled the top inside edges of the frames to route lighting wires.
I might be in trouble then as I have two mills and a lathe . Actually all are too large to likely be used on an N scale model, but I guess some do. Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I need to be spending my time initially on bench work, track work and electrical work. Later if my eyes and hands permit maybe installing decoders in older engines, Sumner
With the new decoders like the TCS CN and CN-GP there is almost no frame modification needed. Just enough to pass the wires is all you need.
Thanks guys. Just won an auction on a Kato SD40-2 with a decoder installed. So have it and the GE 44 Tonner going to the boatyard in FL. They will get there way before Dottie and I make it there on this slow boat that will probably still be sitting on the north end of Andros for another 6-8 days waiting on weather to cross back to Florida. I'll be excited to get back to the yard and on home to Utah and get my other projects done so I can get on with this. Want to get the FastTrack fixtures ordered when we get home and try my hand at turnouts. As someone mentioned I expect to throw some away or they had a good idea of using them as abandoned track. Like that idea . Thanks everyone for the input on this. I'm way ahead knowledge wise from where I was a week ago thanks to those who helped, Sumner
Thanks, that is what we are waiting on. Noticed your layout... Modeling the ATSF from Winslow to Barstow. That is in our neck of the woods just south of us in AZ. Well about 200 miles south but where we are 200 miles might just be the next town. Wife is from Phoenix so we cross the BNSF tracks usually at Flagstaff but sometimes at Winslow and going to California on trips parallel it for a lot of the trip. Do you have pictures or other info about your layout on the Internet? I'd be interested in seeing what you are doing, Sumner
I do not have any photos on the internet about my layout, I am much to private a person for that. The layout is on my ranch property just outside of Show Low AZ. I was born in Phoenix and used to live there, though I am in Northern CA now.
My favorite Diesels have been the Atlas GP7/9 and the Atlas RS-11, both with the Scale Speed motors. These are bulletproof locos, run great, easy to find parts, easy to work on, and run very well.
Been thru Show Low a number of times. Use to go to the car show in Pine Top every year. We are north of there in SE Utah's canyon country at 6000 feet and very similar weather as what Show Low gets. Sumner
Thanks, looks like UP, who I'm loosely modeling didn't have Rs-11's but did have the GP7/9. I'd be interested in which year Atlas models you have and the part number if you still have that. Thanks, Sumner
Just an update. I've managed to get the following on ebay. Bought one outright and the others bidding. Bachmann Spectrum 'no-name yellow' GE 44 Ton Kato UP SD40-2 InterMountain UP SD45T-2 Kato UP RS-2 Kato UP Twin FEA/F3B set The first 3 I have here at the boat. They were waiting for me when we made it back to the boatyard from the Bahamas last Friday. Cleaning and getting the boat ready to sell and will head home in a few days. The last two are going to our home address. Also managed to finally win 3 cars last night and Lowell on here is working hard at putting together a batch of rolling stock to get me started. Put together an order with Fast Tracks so will be busy once I get home. I'll start trying to make turnouts and get a little track down and put together an Arduino DCC++ controller. The big job is clearing out about a third of my shop area to actually start building a layout. That will take a little time along with finishing the camper I was building before heading to Florida. I'm excited about this though, thanks guys for the help, Sumner
