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Converting Tyco Engines to DCC

David asks:

“Can old HO scale Tyco engine be made into DCC?”

One Response to Converting Tyco Engines to DCC

  • Newman Atkinson says:

    David,
    Yes they can BUT. You need to see how they run and how they pull before you put that money into them. Most tyco engines usually have only one truck that pulls. Many also only have the other truck that have pick ups for power. If you loose power it is hard to keep them running and the DCC has to come on line again. I suggest you look into some used Athearn engines where all wheels pull, all wheels have power pick ups, and you have a lot more pulling power. Yes you can convert a Tyco but you can expect them to run no better than they did as a standard DC. You can go to small train shows where there are lots of guys selling off their older engines and cars. You can get them at a decent price if you shop a bit. I found a P42 Amtrak engine that was only 15.00. I thought it was only a dummy engine. I went to pick it up and it had a good heavy motor in it. I bought it without testing it and installed a chip and only had minimun cost in the whole thing. I buy older equipment and fix them up Usually wheels and couplers and some touch up painting and I am off and running. And they are just as good as buying new at a much lower price. Look at a Walthers HO Superliner that goes for over 90.00 new. If you look a bit you can find them for 30 to 40 used and they mostly need couplers and wheel adjustments and you have the same thing. Go with the tyco if you like , they will work, but they will not work any better than when they were on standard DC. from Newman

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