Has anyone installed a sound decoder in an Athearn SD40T-2 and had good luck??? The body is really narrow and I'm not sure a sound decoder will fit.
QSI (Atlas style) will fall right in. An oval speaker will fit nicely in the rear, above the rear truck.
This is actually a very easy install.
Thanks!!!
i have installed sound decoders in 3 of my SD-40T-2. I use the Soundtraxx Tsunami AT-1000's. I can't remember what engine is in the SD-40T-2 but I did get the proper one. The Tsunami decoder replaces the board in the ready-to-run versions of the models. I did have to add a wire to the top of the motor since the athearn board connects directly to the top of the motor. I had to use a small amount of double sided tape to hld the decoder board in place because the mounting holes on the board are for an Atlas locomotive. Also the rear weight needed to be removed to fit the speaker/baffle.
I used a DSM-8 (18x53x14mm) from Railmaster Hobbies which is almost a perfect fit for this locomotive. I bought it from Caboose Hobbies in Denver (they do mail order). I had to cut off the mounting lugs and sand the sides of the baffle just a little bit to make it fit but otherwise it just dropped in.
As far as lighting goes the AT-1000's have connections for 1.5v lighting and connecting that is probably the most difficult part.
I hope this helps
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/