DC to DCC in under 10 mins!

In this video I take a class 57 'Scott Tracy' in the new Virgin Pendolino livery, a loco by Bachman, in her natural, out of the box DC state, test her, open her up, fit a DCC chip to her and then test her again - all in less than 10 minutes!

[@richardclowes6123]

You made it look so simple. Have watched it twice now and still find it too good to be true that it is that easy. Think I will have to watch it again a few times to get my head round it. Good video.

[@JackBowley95]

Fantastic! Well done! Love the magic bit!

[@Carpydc3]

The title should read DCC Ready to DCC Fitted, the current title is misleading as it makes you think it is a standard DC loco and it's being converted over to DCC.

[@michaelstanco8508]

absolutely correct he lied

[@TheOneUK1111]

I agree. Technically it's not a plain old DC loco, it's a DCC ready loco...

[@vincentweatherly9991]

DC to DCC in under 1 minute

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

yep exactly...that is what i came to see and im dissapointed

[@CarlyWaarly]

The free-sat Advertisement is a hoot! : D

[@royalscotspiper]

dude you are a super geek :D what an excellent vid thank you, gonna subscribe.

[@smackjr007]

He's not a geek he just really likes to take care and improve his trains

[@InterCity82]

lol - yeah, I'm daft sometimes - glad you like it! I'll do one on a non-DCC ready loco next.

[@benny-ve6ww]

Great vid

[@InterCity82]

hehe - cheers fella :) have been checking out some of yours too - they're awesome!

[@oogaugemodellerman238]

thanx! it seems very complicated but very simple!!

[@InterCity82]

@mikehenfron - yes! Several - they're all due to be uploaded as soon as possible. Be sure to subscribe and you'll see them on the KZbin home page when you log in as soon as they're uploaded.

[@InterCity82]

@hellohello1700 - DC is the older analogue system whereby you control how much power is in the track. DCC is where the power in the track is at full all the time, and digital decoders in each locomotive or accessory 'listen out' for instructions being sent from the controller.

[@InterCity82]

@djrobod - the capacitor is there to minimise electro-interference, and in many cases can be removed - but as yet I have found no need to.

[@InterCity82]

@Streamham - I persoanlly am attracted to the Gaugemaster controllers and my next main DCC controller will be on by them. I have more 'how to' videos coming up very, very soon which I'm sure you will find helpful also.

[@InterCity82]

@ashleygoddard23 - I only have one DCC sound locomotive at the moment but it was customised, weathered and then a custom made sound chip was put into it - so the quality is outstanding. Altho this was not cheap! (obviously) - it was £175 and I got it from Trident Trains. As for sound chips in general, I hear Howes are very good.

[@InterCity82]

when the loco is DCC ready it is pretty easy :) it's when they're NOT DCC ready that the real fun begins! A video on that is coming up!

[@InterCity82]

@FienStudios - Yes :) And have fitted many. A 'How to...' video is planned for this summer. :)

[@InterCity82]

@brwnandfriendly - it depends on the DC locomotive. 99% of new ones are DCC ready which means there's a socket, ready and waiting for the DCC chip to plug into - but older locos from around 2003 and earlier may well not have this socket - which means some wires have to be cut and some soldering has to be done. I've got a video on it coming up! :)

[@navmantogo]

Your making me miss my trains

[@sct913]

Nice video, but I'll point out one minor correction from the start: Flickering lights normally mean you have dirty track and/or wheels, which results in poor contact between the track and the engine. DCC does NOT solve that issue - in fact, clean track and wheels is more important for good and reliable DCC operation than it is with DC control. The advantage of DCC over DC when it comes to locomotive and carriage lighting is that the lights remain at a constant brightness regardless of the train's speed - in fact, you can bring the train to a full stop and the lights will remain on. DCC also makes it easier to provide directional operation of headlights and taillights. Unlike with DC control, which normally requires special wiring to accomplish directional lighting, all the necessary circuitry is in the DCC chip/decoder.

[@InterCity82]

yup I'll be uploading a video on non-DCC ready to DCC soon too, to acompany this one

[@englishtwister]

oh very nice. this has answered a good few of the questions I had including, how to run the DDC locos. what is the difference. and what makes it special.

[@InterCity82]

good idea! Any type of loco you'd like to see one on? What loco would help you out the most? A classic steam one? Tender driven? An old class 31 diesel maybe? Just let me know...

[@Synthematix]

fantastic video thanks! what are the differences in 6 8 and 21pin dcc chips with functionality? will a 6pin chip do sound and light as well as motor?

[@InterCity82]

I have a class 31 diesel by Lima (really quite old), a class 58 diesel by Hornby (almost as old), and a class 47 diesel (relatively new but not DCC ready (I think)) - all awaiting chipping. Which one would you like to see 'undergoing surgery'?

[@InterCity82]

@TSJagger - the coaches don't care if they're analogue or digital. They usually just have lights that are either on or off. If you were to fit a chip to them, you would be able to choose if they were lit or not, provided you operated it on a DCC equipped layout.

[@InterCity82]

It's the Peco servicing cradle, made by Peco and sold in most model railway shops (and online).

[@InterCity82]

@hornbymanzpc - it can be used to control sounds, fans and even smoke generators.

[@HSTcallum]

thanks!

[@InterCity82]

@ipodwindow - I don't have any yet as I've heard that they're better when you buy the chips separately and install them yourself, or pay someone to do it - but I will get one soon.

[@mikehenfron]

Excellent video. Have you produced a video on the conversion of older models to dcc?

[@midrange18]

Perhaps you can help me. I noticed in your vid you used seperate track from DC to DCC. A club I was part of had a track set up, that could go both DC and DCC. Is this hard to do? I have a large collection of both Old non ready DCC trains as well as new DCC stuff. I'm getting the stage of setting up the track, what do I need to know to be able to do both. (not running DC and DCC at the same time)

[@InterCity82]

@cubeproduktion - the most common one is the R8249. It costs about £12 ($18) and does the job really well - not too basic and not too fancy :) They do a Sapphire one too but that costs more and does more.

[@InterCity82]

@trainmad77 - a special video on all the 0-4-0s is coming up in time :)

[@InterCity82]

@mabo1996 - yes in time - she's a huge and expensive restoration project. Much like the real thing basically lol

[@theLEGOcommander1]

great video 5/5

[@castlefordjunction53]

Woah! It's that simple? Now I might buy a dcc ready loco and dcc heryself! Thx for the video. P.s will this work with steam locos by Bachman?

[@InterCity82]

@Streamham - yeah that sounds like a good idea. Everyone's needs and circumstances are different so just go with whatever is best for you :)

[@oogaugemodellerman238]

if u want to get a bachmann train running on a hornby controller do u need a hornby decoder? also will bachmann trains with 21 socket decoders work on hornby controller

[@InterCity82]

@lilemotom - if it's DCC ready it's very easy - if it's not DCC ready you have to do a little bit more work but it's still very doable

[@InterCity82]

lol - sorry :) I was missing them for 18 years and didn't even know! I'm 27 now and glad to be 'back in the act'! hehe

[@Virgintrains94]

she is soo beautifull!

[@GWR040T]

well done, but when I buyed my hornby LNER class A4 falcon in DC it worked just as smooth as DCC @ my house on the dirty track to the dirty sidings

[@HSTcallum]

hi, i have a question: does the select work in n gauge? i am concidering buying one for my n gauge layout & i would like to have the lights on my locos shining constantly. cheers!

[@InterCity82]

@JBofBrisbane - is it worth that? DCC offers greater precision control too as well as the ability to easily move multiple trains on one piece of track. There may be a few people that could use what you've mentioned but I should imagine that in most cases people will just make the switch to DCC.

[@ipodwindow]

Do you have any DCC (Sound) locomotives? (and plus do you think they are worth it?)

[@KnapfordMaster98]

hey Will, if an engine has a chip and an address, will it still run on a DC layout? thanks buddy.

[@InterCity82]

@ronop1 - coming up! How DCC works! :)

[@InterCity82]

will do - watch this space! :) (well, not this space obviously, but.. oh nevermind)

[@CraigMansfield]

Bit ironic you used a virgin train. However, my brother is just like you, I'm thinking of buying him a train set

[@modellerman]

what do i do with the tape wich comes with the train should i use it? i know its for the decoder

[@InterCity82]

Very carefully - sometimes some force is needed as it might be clipped in place.

[@tdougs77]

I've Just bought the DCC ready Class 66 in Stobart rail colours from bachmann, and was so exicted to chip it, but I'm confused as it's a 21 pin socket. I have a hornby Select controller, do could you advise on where / what chip I'd need? Thanks in advance. Tony.

[@InterCity82]

@tdougs77 - you need either a 21 PIN chip by Bachmann or a 21 pin chip by Hornby. So long as it's 21 PIN it will do the job.

[@InterCity82]

@midrange18 - I can easily switch any loop from DC to DCC. But it's impossible to run a lopp in DC and DCC at the same time. I recommend you get 2 controllers, one DC and one DCC and just switch as and when you need to.

[@InterCity82]

The only downside with DCC is trains can CRASH! lol Thank Hornby for the big red button :) 'STOP'

[@globalvelveta]

@InterCity82 There are some that are controlled by remote to work lights/sound in DC, its remote control and powered by a battery, either watch or AAA. To work the engine RPM sounds, a wire is attached to the hot wire from the motor to detect current change. There is also a model that has relays that control current flow over various resistors. Poor mans DCC, but it works.

[@InterCity82]

@mrthelionbeast - there are tons of other youtubers that have done vids on using DCC controllers. I recommend you look around for them as it may be some time before I upload videos on it.

[@Gar96229]

Thanks, its just that I and sevral other friends want to create a video about the Great Train Robbery of 1963, and me as the cinematographer told them to have the lighting as the trains light. But since it didn't have any lights inside the model, we had to put a torch on, and my god I will not do that again, it looked awful.

[@InterCity82]

True but I have done a video on that too - chipping the Isle of Iona Class 47.

[@mitchellmilitello]

What is the name of that "standard DC controller?

[@danielgivens8486]

XtremeXpress

[@dominicdinosaur]

It's an old Hornby analogue controller

[@InterCity82]

@Synthematix you'd have to check the specific chip you buy.

[@PaulGarwood]

Ang chance this will take a sound decoder?

[@InterCity82]

@modellerman - there's some variation, but basically they have to be the same yes as DCC is a worldwide standard.

[@InterCity82]

@cubeproduktion - there are 6 PIN decoders, 8 PIN decoders and 21 PIN decoders. You obviously need to match the right decoder to the right socket in the loco.

[@modellerman]

are most dcc ready sockets like that?

[@InterCity82]

@matanuialive2010 - I'm personally not aware of a single locomotive that has working sound in DC mode. It is technically possible, BUT it will be impossible to control that sound using DC and to select different sounds. So it's not really very realisitc. The whole point of DCC sound is being able to control multiple sounds at various points as the loco goes around the layout. A simple DC controller cannot do this.

[@InterCity82]

@RCProductionable - you can leave your points as they are if you go DCC.

[@zacharycchen]

what functions does the chip have other than the lights

[@jackisgone4ever]

plx help i have a dc bachmann unioun pacific but it doesnt have screws tp take it apart how do i open it

[@theLEGOcommander1]

where did you get that loco from?

[@mariushorn1234]

can u run 2 NO DC trains with 2 controller on 1 track at the same time with out DCC controller

[@InterCity82]

@KnapfordMaster98 - it will, but I don't reccomend it. If you have both controllers, and most people do I recommend you use a DC controller for DC locos and a DCC controller for DCC locos. The two are interchangeable but I really don't recommend it. It doesn't do them any good really.

[@RCT3GOD]

hi i need your help, with my flying scotsman. its not running do you have any ideas how i may get it working again?

[@Gar96229]

Do you know how to add lights to coaches and diesels and stuff like that. thanks

[@InterCity82]

Can you rephrase that?

[@TheLukei]

@InterCity82 my train would be trash with out that handy stop button

[@InterCity82]

open it up and see!

[@ronop1]

wow that is cool dc to dcc, nice so you are actually really really know,,, ha.. cool

[@deano91209]

were can u get dcc loco and how much is its to get someone professinal to do it

[@InterCity82]

@TheCatapultTV - as far as I know, Hornby do not make a class 57, and especially in Virgin Pendolino livery

[@TNice777]

a deisel would be better for me, but it dusent matter i just need to know how the pcb get put in to the loco. thanks

[@JBofBrisbane]

There is a way around the problem with the lights that doesn't require DCC conversion. Search on "model rail constant intensity lighting" for more, or use LEDs with a current-limiting device.

[@BlueHammerGames]

yes

[@Zps99]

Can u do a video on the little cakedonion raileay 0-4-0 which i saw at tge begining

[@tomuss94]

@InterCity82 Its not DCC ready unfortunately, but as i say i hope it to be.

[@InterCity82]

@itgamer100 - you can make anything controlable :)

[@TNice777]

hahaha lol ok will do thank you

[@InterCity82]

@SuperTron97 - already done, in the upload queue

[@InterCity82]

all DCC stuff will work with all other DCC stuff - simple

[@InterCity82]

She could be failing to pick up current, possibly due to a bad contact somewhere or she could have a motor that's stopped working for some reason. If it's a motor problem you'll know by opening her up, touching the motor terminals with wires connected to your controller and nothing happening. If the motor does spin, then somewhere, either at the wheels or between the wheels and the motor, the power just isn't getting through. Message me again if you're still having problems.

[@InterCity82]

@callofduty19944 - I would advise using a DC controller for DC trains and a DCC controller for DCC trains - it's definitely the best way to do it and most people have at least 1x older DC controller.

[@97badwolf]

@InterCity82 ok i will try it

[@InterCity82]

@miniadult12 - that's the Peco Servicing cradle and it's about £2 or £3 I think. DC to DCC isn't that hard really. You just have to get stuck into it

[@InterCity82]

@modellerman - you can throw it away or use it for something else. It's not strictly essential

[@97badwolf]

how do you know if it is a dc or dcc controller

[@ipodwindow]

Can you still run DCC loco's on a DC track? :)

[@32Benjy32]

I so want DCC locomotives no, it looks so easy, I thought you had to solder suff!

[@TNice777]

so if you could, could you please make one of there very helpfull videos to show how to convert a non dcc ready loco to dcc, because i don't know how??????

[@louislungbubble]

can a d/c loco be run on a DCC layout? and what is the result if a DCC loco is run on a d/c layout?

[@louislungbubble]

+Shunter 08 yes i was thinking when did i ask this!!!! good answer to a simple question ...thanks mate....marty

[@znalyd]

+Shunter 08 Yes, but it will work.

[@sct913]

You can run a DCC equipped engine on DC track PROVIDED the chip/decoder has been programmed to operate on DC - this is especially important to remember for those instances where the chip was not installed at the factory (as in this video). You cannot run a 'straight' DC engine on DCC track, but should you place a typical DC engine on DC track accidently, no harm will come to the engine - the motor will emit a buzzing sound (the only exception is coreless motors, which should NEVER be placed on DCC track without being hooked up to a chip - however, as such motors are not used in mass-produced model trains, but are found only in certain limited-run brass imports, this shouldn't be a concern for most).

[@whodyathinkitis]

basically what their saying is can you fit 2 dc trains using 2 controllers onto the same track without a dcc controller