Can a F7-A diesel locomotive be convered to DCC

[Tim H]

Hi,

I just bought the Super Chief train set to put under the tree.  Five days later the bug has bit.  I have been buying more cars and more track and now want to know if I can convert this locomotive over to DCC?  I have found places on line that say yes but I just wanted to confirm with the source.
thank you,

Tim H

[spookshow]

It depends on which version of the F7 is included in that particular set. Prior to 2013, the Bachmann F7 was not DCC Ready (making decoder installation quite difficult) -



In 2013, the F7 was completely revised to include a factory-installed decoder -



I don't know which one Bachmann is including in their trainsets, but my guess is that it's the older version.

-Mark

[Len]

If it's the older unit, it can be done, but it's not a simple job. Here are instructions on doing the installation on an old style F7-B, which uses a similar chassis: http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/N_Scale/Bachmann/F7B/index.html

They call for a TCS decoder, but the instructions are the same for any decoder that will fit. Using a Z-scale decoder, with the right amp rating, will probably make it easier to fit in.

Len

[brokemoto]

The shells from all three versions of this are interchangeable.  When Generation Two of these appeared, I simply bought another road name and put my B&O shells from the PLUS version onto them. When the DCC versions appeared, I bought yet another road name and swapped those shells, again,  for the B&O.

If you find one cheap in another road name, but it and swap the shells, if you find the DCC conversion too daunting to do it yourself.

I do not use DCC myself, but the decoder equipped F-7s run better than do Generation Two.  The decoder on B-mann power is dual mode.

[Tim H]

I appreciate all the information. Thank you to everybody that replied. I will now digest the info and see what comes up. That didn't sound right did it. But once again thanks and I'm hoping that I have one of the later model units I'll take a look under the hood.