Question 1: Decoder
I have an older Stewart FT AB lashup (Santa Fe freight as delivered scheme). Only the A unit is powered.
It is supposedly DCC ready and the powered A unit does have an 8 pin DCC socket. I figured it would be easy to find a suitable decoder online, but surprisingly I couldn't find any info...maybe missed something.
I don't believe I need any fancy functions. I'm not sure how the lights (all LEDs) are wired but I'm assuming they conform to standard DCC practices since it has an 8 pin socket.
No sound for this unit either. Just a simple decoder so I can run the loco without using address 00.
So does anyone have a good suggestion for a very simple decoder for my Stewart FT A unit?
Here it is pulling a string of reefers on our layout:
Question 2: Where to find a Stewart FT
I suppose it's worth a shot at another question, but does anyone know where I might be able to find the newer released but currently out of production Stewart/Bowser FT AB set in Santa Fe freight paint with the cigar band nose logo? This paint scheme fits the era of our layout.
They look like this:
Stewart had two available and both had applied roadnumbers unlike my FT AB set seen above (I numbered mine as 125). The Stewart part numbers are:
5055 Santa Fe cigar band #118
5056 Santa Fe cigar band #140
If possible I'd like to get the 5056 (#140) set. So If anyone has seen a set for sale let me know. My email addy is:
SouthwestChief@gmail.com
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
You just have to know how to ask the question.
Example below. I use Google and sometimes Yahoo.
[url]http://tinyurl.com/3769dfp[/url]
SoundTraxx has a new line of non sound decoders with the Tsunami running characteristics.
[url]http://www.soundtraxx.com/[/url]
I also use a Z scale decoder, the Digitrax DZ125 that is good for one amp. Quite small also.
I buy from Litchfield Station that has very good prices, shipping charges, service and they answer email.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I did a Yahoo search for
and
I seem to have found the A and B units.
TCS has several suitable decoders, and pictures showing how to install them. I use T1's in my Stewart F units.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I agree with Randy. TCS decoder for Stewarts is an easy install. Some of the odd ball Stewarts had a board with the plug underneath and needed a special decoder that TCS made for them.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Thanks for the info all,
TCS has some decoders that should work fine. Not too expensive either.
locoi1sa I agree with Randy. TCS decoder for Stewarts is an easy install. Some of the odd ball Stewarts had a board with the plug underneath and needed a special decoder that TCS made for them. Pete
Those would be my AS16's, the decoder hangs upside down and there's not a lot of room. They're one of the few locos I used anything but a hard wired T1 in, in those I used the DP2X. I did remove the Stewart yellow LEDs and put in YeloGlo so it looks like a headlight and not a restricting signal. The DP2X should work int he F's as well, there should eb enough clearance around the 8 pin socklet for it to plug in. I have one custom painted FT that will need a little more work - it's one of the fancier ones with the class lights and seperate number board lights as well as headlight, Stewart never made those fancy ones for Reading but someone took an undec and painted it for Reading, so now I have it. It's too many LEDs to run off a single function so I'll probably put the class lights on the rear light and wire it so they are red when going backwards.
rrinker It's too many LEDs to run off a single function so I'll probably put the class lights on the rear light and wire it so they are red when going backwards. --Randy
It's too many LEDs to run off a single function so I'll probably put the class lights on the rear light and wire it so they are red when going backwards.
Interesting you mention too many LEDs for one function. The Santa Fe unit I have has all of the "fancy" LEDs. I really like the large side lit numberboards. They look great and are just like the prototype. Wish my Proto 2000 Santa Fe Alco PAs had this feature.
Do you think these really are too many lights for one function? They currently all work nicely with the dummy plug and using address 00 on my Digitrax Zephyr.
I wonder what would happen after installing a decoder? Proably nothing as I'm asuming Stewart wired the lights to be all on via one function based on how the dummy plug works.
A lot of decoders only have 30-50ma per function output, although the TCS ones seem to allow up to 100ma, so it should be OK. WIth a 1K resistor, a typical white LED will run about 10ma.
The one I have does not have the extra LEDs for ligiting the side number boards, so I have no idea how it's internally wired. They may be wired right to the track so they're on all the time, and not actually connected to the 8 pin socket. The parts sheet that comes with them should give some idea of where everything connects - on the one I have withthe markers, there's a circuit board int he nose with all the LEDs and a short ribbon cable connecting it to the main board. I haven't poked into to see just where they LEDs actually are connected yet. Actually the boards are fairly standard, perhaps the one I have has the connections for the side LEDs, it just doesn't actualyl have them installed. I'll check.
Hi, I have a set of Stewart FT's in the 5016/5017 paint scheme. These are known as the Cat's Wiskers paint scheme. They are very similar to the 5037 paint scheme, except they are blue and light yellow, rather than the blue and tan colour of the 5037. These have the lighted sideboards.
If you are unable to find the 5055/5056 set let me know if you are interested.
Thatks for the info.
I believe the FT AB I have are identical to the 5016/5017. The original as delivered cream and red stripe scheme. Not sure how far back the striping goes on the 5016/5017, if they even have red stripes. I know some Stewart versions have red stripes to the cab, and like mine along the entire car body. And some omitted the red stripes.
Nice scheme, but too old for our 1957 set layout. Kind of why I'm looking for the late era cigar band scheme.