USA imported locomotives on UK layout?

[BilboBagginz]

Hi everyone! I have a pretty simple question today that I hope someone can help me with.

Can I use N scale DCC locomotives imported from the USA on my UK N Gauge layout without worrying about anything frying/going up in smoke?

[Walkingthedog]

If it uses 12 volts DC the same as us then yes. If it comes with a controller don’t use that as the USA uses 110 volts not 240 like us.

[Mountain Goat]

It is just the controllers which are built to run on a different voltage that are the issue. There are plugs avaliable that transform our mains voltage down to the USA mains voltage but if doing this, make sure the device can handle the current (And that it does step down the voltage and I saw one such adapter marketed as a USA to UK adapter which didn't!)

The locos themselves should not be a problem, as DCC was popular in the USA and parts of Europe for a good few years before it hit the UK. When I started in DCC, there were only really three DCC control systems available, those being ZTC, Lenz and Digitrax. ZTC was being taken over and wasn't available, so it was a choice between Lenz and Digitrax. I believe Lenz dealt more with the USA market then its own country, and Digitrax is American made... These were the DCC market leaders in their day. So I don't see the locos themselves being an issue. For the manufacturer, I believe it was a case of selling the right transformer for the right country to use with their DCC systems, hence the transformers were normally purchased as a seperate item.

[Walkingthedog]

Thought my two lines answered the question.


What did the stuff about DCC controllers have to do with the question.

[RogerB]

Whilst I agree with you WTD - there is nothing to stop others chipping in. R-

[Walkingthedog]

I know that hence the smiley faces. Trouble is you can bombard some people with too much info and scare them to death. The OP didn’t ask about DCC controllers.

[Mountain Goat]

Oops! Ummm. If I simplify my answer I am adding even more information!

[Walkingthedog]

Ha ha MG, I know you like long posts.

[Mountain Goat]

Is not that I like them. Is more that I don't seem able to explain things without giving more information. I actually write a lot more and then shorten the things!

[RAF96]

Is not that I like them. Is more that I don't seem able to explain things without giving more information. I actually write a lot more and then shorten the things!

There used to be a saying in the old days...
“sorry this is such a long letter - I didn’t have time to write a short one”
Think about it...