By all means,STAY AWAY FROM SHEER BRILLIANCE decoders.Even on sale,they are way too expensive.Just take a peak a little deeper on this forum and you'll understand.MRC decoders certainly beat all records for unreliability and short life,some only a few minutes.
A friend of mine has purchased three N scale PCM locos lately,two being factory sound equipped with Loksound decoders.They are nice runners and sound just right.However,I can't tell you if these are drop-in type decoders (if so probably available through Broadway Limited,the importer)or hard-wire jobs,but still I'd go this route if I were you.You can be sure of one thing...if you're looking for cheap,that's what you'll get.
I bought the same ones. I took the front coupler off on the A unit. B unit was ok. You pry the edges of the body and they unsnap from the frame. Took a little doing on my part, since I wasnt sure how to do it, but they came apart. I have ordered a QSI revolution decoder (backordered naturally) from Tonys Trains. (about $100 USD). Not sure how the installation is going to be. See my question in this forum (? on installing sound in F3)
Charlie
Well, I spent $70-plus-shipping to buy a set of undecorated, no-dcc Precision Craft Models F3's----an A and a B unit----both powered (I guess). The documents that came with the locos indicate they were probably produced in 2006----and I have this grand idea that I can put sound decoders in both of these very nice looking models. But there's one primary problem. Does anyone know how to get the body shell off of these beautiful machines without breaking anything? I suspect you have to unscrew the coupler assemblies first and then gently pry the body apart to lift the shell off. But I'm a novice. Also, as long as I have your attention: suggested decoders???? Walthers has a Sheer Brilliance on sale this month. Advice gratefully accepted and thanks