DCC & Magnadhesion

I don't think it's a question of can it be done, more of what type of running qualities will you achieve after making the effort. IMHO installing decoders in old really old stock not only destroys the collectors value, but seldom can you achieve the running qualities to show off the best of DCC. Many of these old loco's never possessed the type of control we are used to with modern stock - even when they were spanking new. Remember if it doesn't run right on DC you will not improve by running it under DCC.

QUOTE (John Webb @ 8 Dec 2007, 04:59) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I cannot see any problem, other than as old locos with old motors with high current demand your choice of decoder may be crucial. And getting one into 'Lord of the Isles' may have space problems as well. Try a search on the DCC forum under 'old locos' and see if that brings anything up. 'Triang' might get you something as well.

With most track these days being non-magnetic, 'Magnadhesion' (whereby magnets close to the wheels caused them to grip more firmly on steel track) is of little consequence unless you set out to deliberately buy second-hand steel track. Cleaning steel track and preventing rusting then becomes crucial to maintaining good contact to avoid problems. On the other hand this problem with steel track may be offset by the higher voltage applied by DCC systems.

Regards,
John

***Strange how history becomes reality but its not the case really: I avoid NS totally due to its constant corrosion/oxidisation and only use steel rail as it requires almost no cleaning in comparison to nickel silver rail... There's a huge difference between the poor quality rail that triang and predecessors used (with a thin zinc plating) to modern alloy steels.

Don't forget that NS does oxidise - its just that NS oxides aren't "rust coloured". Contrary to the myth, NS oxides are NOT conductive, as every modeller sees every time a loco runs less than smoothly prior to cleaning!

As an example after laying track with steel rail for more than a year on my large layout its still shiny on the top of the rail. I ran a test loco from one end to the other with NO cleaning before the run - it dawdled round at a speed of about 10kph and didn't hesitate once. Conversely the test and programming track I use at the office for testing and programming customers loco's is nickel silver and really needs a good clean at least once a week to prevent stalling or loss of contact!

There's a downside of course - I'd still not use it in wet or continually damp conditions and of course making your own pointwork is needed as there are no commercially available turnouts. Fortunately steel rail cuts, files and solders at least as well as NS and I enjoy building points!

On magnadhesion vs DCC, there is NO issue at all - no reaction or inderaation between decoder and track or magnets at all, and no reason not to convert an old loco if you want to run it... just take the opportunity to give it a real cleaning before you do it and it should run well!

Regards

Richard