What's a decently priced (not over $200) DCC equipped locomotive out there in N scale. Who should I look for? I'd prefer something that'd work good in the 'transition' era so either steam or diesel works for me. I've been looking around but not sure if there are a lot of those out there in this scale, it seems a lot still require you modify it, either that or they are all DCC and it's an assumption now instead of an exception.
Kato or Atlas have good DCC equipped locos. I like taking the Atlas and Kato DCC ready locos and put in Digitrax or other decoders. The ones in the Atlas are on the lesser side. Meaning that they do not have as many functions (at least what I remember, been awhile since using the Atlas decoders). Most of these locos can be gotten on line for around 100. Shop around you can even get Atlas and Kato DCC ready locos and Digitrax decoder for around 100 Hope it helps
I would agree about Atlas and Kato. You just can't go wrong there. I do not mind the minimal function decoders they come with either.
I assume by DCC equipped you mean the loco comes out of the box with a factory installed decoder. Atlas does this with some of their offerings but not Kato, though having said that its not exactly rocket science to replace the light board in a Kato with a drop in decoder.
Your point brings up something I've wondered about, but for now is a "down the road" issue for me. I have a pair of new Kato locomotives that are supposed to be DCC ready...and F3 and an F7. You mention the Katos and drop in decoders...does this mean that when the DCC day comes, that the conversion will be a simple "take out the old board, and plug in the decoder" thing? In other words no soldering or other "surgery"?
Yes I mean a decoder either installed, or I can get one and it's a plug in connector, not a gut and get a sodlering iron out. I'm not good with soldering irons, and I'd hate to spend $80 - $100 on an engine and then $30 - $60 on a decoder and ruin it. Simple to complex is fine with me, not sure I'd need full sound but if it's a swap out board or something I can handle that no problem.
The Atlas locos run around 80 bucks. A drop in NCE decoder is about 25 bucks. Less than 100 dollars if you aren't paying shipping. It all depends on what engine you want though. Some older designs do not have the space for drop in decoders. As to drop in, it's more of a pry the shell off. Get some small tools and separate the two halves of the chassis. Swap boards and reverse process. It's worthwhile because once you've done this, you've pretty much prepared yourself for any engine troubles or basic engine lube you'll need later.
There are plenty of Atlas locomotives available "DCC equipped", with no install required on your part. They can generally be found online in the $80 to $90 range. If you go the route where you want to install a decoder yourself, it's not terribly hard to do. The one wrinkle with most of the Atlas locomotives is getting good contact between the motor contacts and the pickups on the decoder. I've found bending these slightly up will usually (although not always) do the trick. The TCS brand of decoders have given me the most success in installs, they just seem to avoid the contact problem for some reason. When installing these, as Geeky mentioned above, you get a good idea of how the locomotive is assembled. It's handy to know. And if you accidently push the frames too far apart, and spill parts everywhere (as I have done plenty of times) fear not. You'll learn that an Atlas locomotive is actually pretty easy to reassemble
The only locomotives I've bought with the decoders already in them are the Atlas SD-60. They only have two functions, which is all most people will probably use(I think). They do not have BEMF, which some people want and some people do not care about. My only real complaint with them is they are noisy campared to aftermarket drop in decoders. I got these engines several years ago, so the decoders may have changed by now. Another option is the PCM E-7. It lists for $239 but most places sell it for right around $200.
For these two particular models, yes. You just remove the original board and replace with the decoder board. No surgery, no soldering. You don't even have to take the frame apart like the Atlases.
Trekkie, I suggest a Kato F7 or F3. See my post above. Plus they fit your era and they smoooooth. You can get them online for about $60. The decoder is another $28. For real fun and pulling power, you can get a B unit to go with it (takes same decoder) but that might be breaking your budget.
Just to throw in another option... The Intermountain F7s are beautiful runners and very well detailed and may fit your era and price range. Although I haven't put decoders in mine yet, it looks to be a straightforward process. There's always plenty of experienced help available here and in the DCC forum as well.
If you're willing to go to $200, then I would suggest getting the PCM E7. The sound is wayyyy cool. Otherwise, either an Atlas DCC EQUIPPED locomotive (the packaging will indicate that its DCC Equipped) or a Kato locomotive. I have minimal experience with the Intermountain F units, and have not decoderized my one Micro-Trains F unit, so cannot comment on them. The decoder installation in the Kato's is simple, the most difficult part (for me) is removing the shell. After that, its usually "remove the lightboard, put some insulating tape where the instructions tell you, insert the decoder, rinse, repeat. (skip those last two step, ok?)" Because I'm very picky about the insulating tape, decoder installation in a Kato takes me about 7 minutes from opening the jewel box to fully programmed. Decoder installation on the Atlas locos is more difficult, what with having to spread the frame halves and the contact issues. If you're interested in big steam, you could get the ConCor 2-10-2, which has a DCC plug in the tender. Cost would be right in the neighborhood of your two bills, plus the decoder.
I'll put that on my list to check out. I got the Kato Super Chief A/B units and then decided to go over budget and got two of the car kits. My LHS should have em today I hope.
