Analogue to DCC fitted cost

[maw78]

I'm interested in purchasing a train which I think is analogue ( waiting for confirmation ) .... if it is can someone give me a rough idea how much it's likely to cost to convert to DCC fitted ? I'm working on a budget and dont want to purchase it if I cant afford to get it converted.

[Chrissaf]

AFAIK......most fitting services charge around £15 plus the cost of the decoder. This charge assumes two things. Firstly that the installer is also providing the decoder and secondly that the loco is 'DCC Ready' with a decoder socket.

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The cost can go up from there if the installer has to hard wire in the decoder to a non DCC ready loco. The fitting cost for 'DCC Ready' locos may be higher if you want to provide your own decoder.

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Non sound basic four function decoders are typically in the £12 to £20 price range.

[ColinB]

It also depends on the loco. Some of them it is quite easy to convert, some there is just no room. I had an early rebuilt West Country and there didn't there seem to be any room, because the weight took up the space not occupied by the motor. I ended up putting it in the tender. I had an old Dapol Terrier and even with the smallest module I could find it was really difficult. I suppose if you give it to someone to fit, it is their problem.

[The son of Triangman]

As Colin rightly says it depends on the loco.  Man hours taken, difficulty of fitting also play a part.  A simple dcc ready loco can be £5 to fit excluding the decoder, but a split chassis loco can be £25 upwards excluding decoder..Non-DCC locos can be simple fit for a basic decoder fitting but more involved if sound is needed and lighting this costs extra to do.