I did email Frank at MRC and he suggested the following:>>according to the info you sent the bachman loco already has a [power] decoder installed. you can use either 0001662 diesel sound only decoder or the 0001666 diesel sound only decodereither of these will piggy back onto your existing decoder...only two wire hook up<< Has anyone done this upgrade and if so, please evaluate installation and sound.The other product I found was a DCC decoder by NCE that replaces the original engine's decoder == but I think that there is no sound in the NCE decoder.
NCE DecoderBachDSL
again feedback to the question would be appreciated
I'm not totally sure but I believe I asked the same question a while back and I found on my own that you can use the stock decoder as noisy as it is with a Digitrax sound-bug. As you will find what a lot here has stated it's more about placing the speaker then finding a decoder that will fit. Being s there are so many decoders including sound decoders on the market someone makes some thing to fit just about everything but not all loco shells have as much room as one would like. I recently saw a guy who installed N scale decoders in Athearn Blue Box SW1500 yard switchers. he felt it was the best choice as there is hardly any room to spare. He stuffed the decoders in the cabs. Is it the best choice I am not qualified enough to say but he feels it's the best choice and it works.
David,
I have to strongly disagree with this statement
"Thirdly, MRC sound products are very poor. Yes, you only have to connect 2 wires to the current decoder, but what they dont tell you is how horrible their product sound-wise and reliability-wise. I would strongly suggest you steer clear or MRC decoders, no matter how good the price. It just aint worth the time or effort."
MRC decoders make for good traction under your shoes and also if you are looking to improve your marksmanship they make good targets. Even a broken clock is correct twice a day.