Decoder for Athearn RS3?

[rrinker]

 No need to use an more expensive tiny decoder, the RTR locos with the 9 pin plug have plenty of room to fit a less expensive 'full size' decoder, and the 9 pin plug is just sitting there ready to use (after removign the dummy plug). Takes maybe 5 minutes to take the shell off, plop in the decoder, adn put it back together. On anythign else I'd probably ditch the board and install LEDs but for the RS-3 I'd have to then find some clear lenses to fit the headlight casting and put the LED behind them. I'm sure one of the many MV lenses will fit and maybe in the future I will do this (after the bulbs burn out probably).

                                 --Randy

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 If space is at a premium and all you want is motor and light control you can hard wire a Digitrax DZ125 Z Scale decoder. I've installed them in quite a few of the Athearn locos I have (Blue box and RTR).

[rrinker]

 Just about any 9 pin will fit., I used a TCS T-1.

                                 --Randy

[Chessie Sys. 3022]

 I'm going to be buying an Athearn RS3 with a 9-pin plug inside it. Can I use any 9-pin decoder, say the Digitrax DH123D, to put in here or will it not fit? Thanks!