Retro fitting old DC trains to DCC

[Mick1707822781]

Hi. Ive just joined and in the process of planning my first layout (other than the 1970 pre moulded hornby layout I had as a lad!). I am intending to go with a DCC layout and have access to a number of my father in law’s old Engines from the 60s onwards, a number of which I would like to convert to DCC and will have to sell the others for him. I know some are easier than others to convert and in any event dcc performance is dependent on condition of engine. I also know I will probably take the end of my finger off with a soldering iron so wondered if there was anyone or any firm who would convert them to DCC to save me ruining them!

Thanks

[Simmo009]

Welcome. Older locomotives used a lot more power than the current ones. You need to check how many amps they are pulling to see if there is a suitable decoder. Usual value is 0.5A on standard decoders, so you would need beefier ones for older stock. These by necessity are larger decoders, and may be difficult to get inside the available space. If you don't have one, first thing to buy would be a multimeter to do this check first.

[Fishmanoz]

Answering your question, many model shops will provide a conversion service. Check them out in your area.

[RDS]

@Mick

Welcome to the Forum. Could you please have a look at the thread below. Thank you.

Important Information for New Members Registering for the Forum (Updated 31st Jan 2022) :: Hornby Hobbies

[Mick1707822781]

@Simmo009

Thanks. I have a multi meter somewhere so I will have a look

[Mick1707822781]

Fishmanoz Quote .......many model shops will provide a conversion service. Check them out in your area.

Thanks, thats a relief. Will have a search and take it from there.

[Will Hay]

As a guide, I ran four DCC locos successfully when using the select controller using the standard PSU and eight with the 4amp PSU before I switched to a non-Hornby controller.

25% of my units, at the time, were DC to DCC conversions.

I had none of the required technical ability whatsoever to convert but, after research, found it very simple.

[Mick1707822781]

Thanks Will. I will just get one converted I think and then buy new trains as I go

[Will Hay]

Apologise if I'm repeating myself but due to initial budget constraints and my plan for circa eighteen steam and eighteen diesel I started down the road of buying cheaper DC models and converting.

I soon found that the quality of the earlier models, whilst perfectly fine at the time of release, were 'dreadful' compared to the current bachmann, vitrains, heljan, non-railroad hornby etc. models.

I soon eliminated my converted range.

Just a thought before you go to any expense [decoder cost plus cost of a local shop converting would be around 35GBP as a minimum, I guess?] and of course dependant on what your future aims are.

Good luck with everything.

[Will Hay]

Oh, and don't rule out used, modern locomotives on ebay, I've never had a bad experience that the seller and/or ebay didn't remedy.

Lastly, don't forget you're buying at a bad time.

New and second hand prices are at an all time high following lockdown, material shortages and of course Brexit.

[Mick1707822781]

Thanks Will. Will bear the above in mind

[The son of Triangman]

Sounds like you are comparing level of detail with older models, Will. It's a common mistake brought about by the glossy magazines that pushed for super detail in the 1990's and have lead the market by the nose ever since. They changed the meaning of the word quality to mean level of detail during their big push. Quality is something different, it means build quality and old locos generally win that one.

Older locos can be converted, I have converted shed loads myself . Your best bet is to find a specialist who knows their onions.

[Fishmanoz]

Might I just add a testimonial here for newer forum members - SoT (Son of Triangman) is the undoubted forum expert on DCC conversions. If he says it, it is so. When he says shed loads, he means shed loads. He did them commercially for many years, not operating currently I don’t think.

The photos of his conversions show his workmanship to be without peer. I’ve done the odd conversion myself but I couldn’t hope to match his skills and neatness, not even if I did the full shed.

[Will Hay]

@SoT

Sounds like you are comparing level of detail with older models.............

 

 

An excellent point, you're quite correct [i stand corrected 👍] although I would say that I've yet to find anything that matches the build quality of Vitrains and Bachmann.

The older Hornby [and a couple of the larger diesel Lima I've had] models are certainly a better build quality than later Hornby models, which are the only ones I've ever converted.