By: Dana Vincent

Dana Vincent — Thu, 09 May 2024 00:48:51 +0000

I didn’t expect them to run better just run with a couple of cars. It’s a Santa Fe which is RR I love to model.

By: Newman Atkinson

Newman Atkinson — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 04:01:13 +0000

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

Comments on: Converting Tyco Engines to DCC

By: Dana Vincent

By: Newman Atkinson