Define the loco's role/usage, choose solution in consequence...

Dear ????

O scale DCC (sound or not) can be an interesting mission. If your loco is actually hauling significant train lengths, particularly up-grade, the current requirements for the motor control part of the decoder can exceed the commonly-arbitrary "1 Amp" of most "HO" decoders.

For such "mainline" locos, there are the Loksound XL decoders, all the sound of a Loksound you are familar with in the smaller scales, but with a beefed-up (4Amp?) motor drive stage.

Soundtraxx have flirted with the idea of releasing a "big scale" version of the TSU, but thus far nothing has been seen "in the field". ProtoCraft do offer a "O scale upgrade" service, to convert a stock "HO" 1Amp TSU to beefier-motor-control. However, reports from the field about these units are inconclusive (some modellers find them bulletproof, some have had numerous DOA experiences).

If you're comfy with the programming and install techniques, many O scalers take a dual-decoder approach:
- a high-current motor + lights decoder for the "working bits"
- in parallel with a TSU "just to provide the sound"

This can have the unexpected benefit of allowing easier install in the sense that it's not one big lump of decoder, but a few seperate parts with can be arranged within the shell as space permits...

...however, as noted, admin'ing the locking codes required to tame the challenges of programming dual-decoders in the same loco is not for everyone...
(check the MRH Theatre section for Joe F's tutorial on handling dual-decoder programming...)

All of the above having been said, if the loco in question will only ever be used on a smaller switching layout,
(use the MRH search function, with search terms "Chicago Fork SW1200"),
then you may well be able to get away with a well-heatsinked "HO" TSU decoder.
The difference is the context the loco will be used in. On small switching layouts, with little/no grades to speak of, and restricted total #s of cars the loco will be forced to haul, the actual operating current-draw may well stay within "HO scale" operating parameters. Atlas O 2R SW9/SW1200s are common for this kind of conversion.

Hope this helps...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr 

MRC DEcoders

Mrc makes decoders for O scale. STAY AWAY FROM THEM !!!! They have the tendency to burn out light bulbs, loose the programing and all other weird things. How do I know that ??? Hmmmm

I've recently went through this thought process ...

... in adding dcc + sound to an O-scale Atlas SW-9 that I will be using on a small switching layout.  Professor Klyzir has given very good/sound advice (sorry could not resist the pun), which is supported by others throughout the web.  The HO decoders "will" work, as long as you are mindful of current draw.  You may want to measure the current draw on your locomotive under various loads (including stall) to get a better feel for how much "risk" you will be taking.

I live in Sri Lanka ... no hobby shops here.  

This means that if I blow a decoder, I will need to order another one and it will take 2-4 weeks to arrive and of course the obligatory "duty" to "protect a non-existing local industry" doubles its cost to me (it even includes the shipping + insurance if you can believe it).

So ... when I saw an ESU LokSound V4.0 XL decoder come up on eBay ... I bought it .  The seller loaded the EMD 567 non-turbo sound for me; which matches the SW-9 prime mover, so that is good to go as well.  The LokSound XL decoder is rated at 4 amps continuous and 6 Amps momentary ... so that should be more than enough (they are really designed with G-scale in mind I think).

The XL decoder is fairly large ... it is a very close fit in the SW-9 shell (have yet to actually install it ... heh).  I was also a bit surprised by the fact that the speaker that "fits" in the fuel tank (which is already perforated to house a speaker) is really not much larger than those used in HO ... so I may be challenged with getting a good sound out of this "large" locomotive!  

I will be installing this (and some other things such as prototypical couplers) in the coming weeks ... after I get some track laid to actually "test" my work.  You can follow my progress (or lack of it) here ...

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/portable-oscale-layout-aka-chicago-fork-12196898

"I have a DC O scale RS3 from

I'd suggest asking around O scale groups like Yahoo or OGR magazine forum and see what guys are using. These locos are a bit harder than normal due to twin motors and high speed gearing so you'll need to consider maximum current draw. Atlas makes factory DCC sound equipped RS-1 locos so they might be a good template to follow. The good news is there should be plenty of room in there for the decoders and speaker :> ) ...DaveB

Many thanks to you for your

Many thanks to you for your good advice.

I'm a french modeller and I love US trains because of their look and for the large possibilities of freelancing my own railway. I still have built a O scale french layout and scratchbuilt all the locomotives, a railcar and the rolling stock but with US models: I don't need to scratchbuild all: a lot of rolling stock and locomotives exist at an affordable price. I'll save time!

I've built a N scale shortline layout (only two boards at this time) but I think this scale is too small for me now.

One day I've bought a RS3 from the USA and I was surprised by the good quality (running and looking) and the price I've paid.

I would like to make a small layout: my room is something like 10' x 24'. So small...
I would like to begin by making a track along the walls (a big loop) and a little interchange with a tiny shortline (equipped with a GE44)... and a little fiddle yard.

So my Alco will not pull a 100 cars train... Only a few cars. At this time I have just one car: a Atlas 8 000 gal tank car (wonderful!) and I would like to buy 1or 2 wagons to begin: it's not cheap for me (the cars aren't but the shipment is very expensive to France). So my trains will be short. The 1 amp decoder will be certainly the solution.

The ProtoCraft website is very interesting and instructive. The Tsunami 3.5 amps decoders look good.

Thank you Prof Klyzir!

Nick: I don't like MRC products. I have a bad feeling about them.

Thank you Dave O: the 1 amp decoder can match.

I have to test the RS3 consumption of current before to buy any decoder.

Thank you for the link to your project. Great! I go to follow your adventure.

SJVRR

Yes, OGR or O scale groups

Yes, OGR or O scale groups will help me but I like the MRH forum and its magazine. I feel good here!

You're right: there is a lot of space inside the hood and in the fuel tank to install a decoder and a good speaker.

Thank you

SJVRR

Small O scale Layout

SJVRR,

It is good to read that there is another O Scaler among the group. We are far and few in the group. It is also good to hear that you are building a small size also. You really don't need a big space at all. Here is a photo of my small O scale layout in my Family room which is narrow and long. The layout covers a size of 14 x 10 feet. The tables are 2' wide. Minimum radius is 26". Yes, pretty tight but it works.  Code 148. I had an RS3 when I first built the layout that worked fine. I sold it to get my 44 Tonner and later I bought the SW9. Now I used this two engines with 40 footers Boxcars and 8,000 gls tankers. I really enjoyed my layout.

Now I am building the Chicago Fork, with David O,  to take to the shows. I really would like to promote O scale miniature layouts.

Any way, good luck with your adventure and please keep us posted.

Hello Nick! Many thanks for

Hello Nick!

Many thanks for your message: you give me some motivation.

Your layout looks good and interesting to operate.

26" radius? Waow! That's sharp. But it works with small engines like the GE44 and the SW9.

And US trains don't have buffers so it's possible. With French trains I couldn't make sharp curves. The minimum I tested was 4 foot radius.

Yes, I'll continue to post but I think I have to change of section.

My son who is 8 loves O scale trains. He began a couple of years ago with HO US trains: he didn't love the French trains! He saw my own big collection of HO. Recently, he has discovered the O scale as the best scale for him to play!

There is a few days, I have shown him my Atlas RS3 and my tank car. He felt in love!

I think now: I MUST make a layout for together.

He would like a loop to run trains and I love linear systems (like my 4 others layouts). At this time, we have to find a solution: ONE solution, ONE layout.

About the DC/DCC sound system: on this morning (I have at least 8 hours of delay here with USA time), I've found an article in "The O scale Resource Magazine" where a man describe how to install DCC in a Atlas RS1.

Here: http://oscale.uberflip.com/i/149041

I have a QSI TITAN-U DC/DCC sound decoder for a HO scale locomotive. I go to try it into my big O scale Alco!
I don't know if it's a good decoder. I just have to test it and tell you. If somebody have an experiment with this kind of decoder, I'll be pleased to share with him.

I have installed Tsunami decoders in On30 locomotives and I'm happy with them.

Now, I have to test the QSI. I just need a few days...

Stay tuned!

SJVRR (Jack)

Jack,I am running my two O

Jack,

I am running my two O scale engines (a Red Caboose GP9 with P&D drive and a Weaver RS-3), both equipped with big Pitman motors, with HO Loksound decoders – no problems so far. And even if the amp draw might get too high for the decoders, they will not fry immediately, because the Loksound decoders are protected against overload. On page 18 of the September/October issue of the O Scale Resource Magazine you mentioned (http://oscale.uberflip.com/i/149041) is an article that shows that O scale engines draw much less amps than is usually assumed if you do not run them at warp speeds.

Living in Germany, I know about the high shipping rates from the US for O scale cars. Fortunately we have some dealers here that offer US O scale stuff at reasonable prices (www.am-spur-null.com/index.php?p=1_34_Produktubersicht-1, http://www.rd-hobby.de/en-us/Catalog/List/1121)and on ebay Germany you can find some good deals from time to time (especially if you are looking for Atlas cars, seems like here is a lot more on offer than on ebay France). This might be an alternative for your to ordering from the US, because shipping is a lot cheaper.

Kurt

@ Jack

You say your son wants a loop and you want linear.  Can you build linear and and place loops at both ends of it?  The loops could be "add on" modules or hinged drop-down modules.  If you can provide a scale drawing of the space you want to build this new layout in the guys here will help you design a layout that will satisfy both your son and you.

Den

"He would like a loop to run

   No problem, just build an oval around the walls of the room with one town on each side then run from town A to town B ,do the work there then reverse the direction and return home.  The end of loop connection allows running laps when desired  to gain mileage for operations or just watch the trains run. My last O scale layout was built in  a 9.5 by 15 foot room and worked fine. It had a removable section across the door to complete the loop or could be run point to point with the door section removed .....DaveB

Thank you Kurt for the links

Thank you Kurt for the links to the German shops. Some items are interesting.

For O scale, some Europe shops are more interesting than in USA because of the shipment fees.

Thank you DaveB. I know well

Thank you DaveB.

I know well the idea to have a bridge to connect the circle. I've learnt that in the US magazines. I like the idea.

About "A" and "B" stations, I like the idea to make only 1 station and 1 stagging yard. For me, it's imperative to have a stagging yard. I don't have enough place to make a "B" station.

A "U" shape will be good for me. And this "U" can become a "O" when my son or me we want to see the trains running.

Jack

"About "A" and "B"

   Hi Jack,  My last small O layout had a staging track along the wall at town  A. An imaginary road freight would pick up the out bounds and leave the inbounds over night and my operations would start by sorting the inbounds off the staging track. The crew would work town A, run to town B( as many laps as I felt like running)  ,do the work there , return to town A ,sort the cars to the out bound staging track then quit for the day. The one long rear track was enough staging for the amount of traffic involved, it held about 10 cars and if there were more cars to stage the adjacent yard track could be used as overflow but the layout would get too crowded with much more than 10 cars per session....DaveB

What a good idea DaveB! I

What a good idea DaveB! I like it.

I must consider a simple but useful hidden track behind the town A.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Jack

Here is a small (and bad)

Here is a small (and bad) movie about my O scale french shortline layout. It isn't finished yet but one day...

All the rolling stock, the buildings, etc... are scratchbuilt. I would like to show you it. It's DC without sound. The sound comes from the electric motor of the railcar.

I've tried to write a mail

I've tried to write a mail to  http://www.am-spur-null.com but it was unsuccesful...

Finally on the e-bay USA I

Finally on the e-bay USA I found interesting people and rolling stock at affordable price.

Some pieces are now flying to my home.

By the way, I'm planning my layout doing a lot of sketches.
I think I go to use my O scale French layout and I'll americanize it and I'll connect my layout to this one.
I save space and time.

On these days I've began to scratchbuild my first cars.

If you are interested to follow my little adventure in the US O scale, I'll can open a thread. Just let me know please.