"N" Scale Locomotive Workshop    

  We specialize in custom work on 'N' Scale locomotives only...  

Wired decoder installations | Frame milling | Decoder programming...

Announcement: Due to the huge response to our Flat Rate Install Fee, we are frequently inundated with orders and have to suspend the taking of orders for a period of time so we can catch up... Therefore future orders will now be taken by appointment only... Please refer to our "How to Do Business" section for further information.

In a further attempt to keep up with the demand on our decoder installation service, we will be discontinuing other services, such as maintenance, repairs, modifications, and special lighting... Our only focus will now be wired decoder installs. 

What we do:

We do custom installation of wired DCC decoders into almost any "N" Scale locomotive... We supply Lenz®, Digitrax®, NCE® and CTelektronik® wired decoders for custom installation... We also install other brands of wired decoder (as supplied by the customer), but this may involve frame milling where it would otherwise not be necessary... We specialize in doing the more complex installations that others avoid, or charge exorbitantly for... We do not charge extra for our services if you choose to supply the decoder, but do ask that you supply a new decoder (with its documentation), so as to avoid delays with testing of an old/used decoder, or searching for documentation... Due to the large stocking requirements, we tend not to do Drop-in, Plug & Play, or frame replacement installations, as most times, this service is already offered by the majority of decoder retailers, and we would just be duplicating an already plentiful service... We will however do Drop-in, Plug & Play, and Frame Replacement installations if you supply all the correct components with your loco... Sorry, we do not do sound decoder installations.

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DCC Decoder Installations: 

For the benefit of our customers, and in the interest of keeping our hobby as affordable as possible, we are running a "Flat Rate Decoder Installation Fee"... All decoder installations will be $35.00, regardless of whether they're Diesel or Steam locos, or whether they require frame milling or not... Plug & Play decoder installations will remain at $15.00.

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Decoders we supply:

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Loco Maintenance:

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Shipping:

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Some things to think about:

Market research shows there's a wide range of fees charged for the installation of wired decoders in "N" scale locos... From a sample of ten of the more prominent installers, the average decoder installation fee (without frame milling) was $51.90... because the range was so wide, we disregarded the highest and lowest fees and averaged what was left to get a more representative figure of $44.14 as the average installation fee...

Going with the same sample as above, we looked at the fees for frame milling... the average was $20.33, and again dropping the high and low figures, we got an average of $19.00... generally speaking, it was noted that the lower the installation fee, the higher the frame milling fee, and visa versa...

These fees did not include the cost of the decoder, freight, or insurance, and in some cases didn't even include the wiring of standard lights... So, you can see that what we offer is a very price competitive service...

Actual decoder size; Lenz products are not encased in shrink-tube from the factory, so they actually measure their specified size... NCE on the other hand, quote the circuit-board size in their spec's, but the decoder is incased in a factory shrink-tube, making it quite a bit larger than their spec'd size... for example the Z14SR spec'd at 0.57” x 0.34" x 0.13”, actually measures 0.59" x 0.37" x 0.15" (even when excess shrink-tube has been trimmed), meaning any application that requires milling has to have even more material removed to accept this decoder... The Lenz decoders are insulated from conductive surfaces with Kapton tape, which is only 0.0025" thick... (note: if you remove factory shrink-tube, you void the warranty)...

To give you an idea of what can be achieved, we have successfully installed decoders into locos as small as the Bachmann Plymouth Switcher (0-6-0 diesel),  the Life-Like Saddle Tank (0-6-0T steam)... not to mention many of the old European steam locos that are not in the least bit DCC friendly (Fleischmann, MiniTrix, Graham Farish, etc)...

DCC is not a "fix all"... if your loco does not operate well on DC, it will not run any better on DCC... locos have to be in good repair to run well, no matter what control system you use... you will however like the operating freedoms gained by using DCC...

Since it's your loco that you're entrusted us with, it is only right that you have a feel for the products we use, and our workmanship... Being from a Naval Aviation background, with 28 Years of Engineering experience in Aviation, Automotive, Marine, and Industrial fields, we look for and use only the highest quality products that can  reasonably be obtained, and have a high work standard... After all, "if a job's worth doing, it's worth doing properly"... The majority of the products we use conform to MIL-SPEC's... We use Shrink-Tube to insulate and support soldered joints, where necessary... We do not use conventional electrical tape, desk tape, or masking tape, as it does not stay put in the long term, and leaves a sticky residue... We use a high quality Kapton Tape, that will withstand high temperatures, has excellent insulation properties, and is practically immune to chaffing and puncture... All wires are run in a location so as to not interfere with moving parts... Any frame milling is done with the view of removing as little material as possible, so as to retain as much weight as we can, and when you figure in the added weight of the decoder being installed, we often end up with a heavier loco than before the frame was milled... All the lubricants that we use are "plastic friendly", designed specifically for use with small model locomotives... And finally, we are noted for our excellent packaging, protecting your valuable loco in transit... The boxes we use for shipping have a 200lb crush rating... We charge a flat shipping rate (based on a single loco), no matter how many locos you send

Warranty's:

Each decoder manufacturer has their own warranty policy, and you should consult their websites for detailed information... Most manufactures deal with warranty claims directly... Lenz® decoders are the only ones that we can make warranty replacements for in-house...

We guarantee our workmanship and your complete satisfaction... If you have any problems or concerns related to the installation, please email us within 30 days of receipt of your loco, and we will promptly deal with your concerns.

Payment Methods: 

Since you are sending us your loco, it is just as easy for you to include a check or money order along with the loco, and a printout of the Work Order... If you want to make a credit card or PayPal® payment, send the funds via PayPal® to [sales@spillage.net], noting the Codes that you are paying for, in the NOTES section of the PayPal® payment,  then quote the PayPal® Transaction ID# on the Work Order, and send it in with your loco...

We hope that this page has given you the confidence to choose us for your custom wired DCC decoder installations... We look forward to doing business with you... If you have any questions, please contact us at locoworks@spillage.net .

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Recommended "N" Scale sites:

  For all your "N" scale product needs, at some of the best prices around... if they don't have it, they can get it!... Fifer Hobby Supply is noted for their excellent customer service... Discuss your needs with Mike or Robin.

For the best Custom Model Railroad Weathering in the business, GRIFF's your man.

  A web portal that is THE source for 'Nformation... having the most extensive list of "N" scale links, articles, and forums that can be found anywhere on the web... This is a very friendly and helpful group of modelers.

For model rail fans worldwide... A full featured multi scale site that caters to all aspects of model railroading.

DCC Decoder Manufacturers websites: 

  Digitrax®    Lenz®    MRC®    NCE®    TCS®    CT elektronik®    Zimo® 

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This page was    25 Nov 2008 .