Great hobby shop, was just there today.
I would recommend a TCS T1, plugs right in, runs very well. The SW1500 has a Mashima motor, so it runs quite well. Hiawatha Hobbies sells these as well; if you ask, they might install it for you, if you would like.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/145478/1614782.aspx
as for the decoder, go to your local hobby shop and see what they say.
I WANT TO BUY AN ATHEARN SW1500 DCC READY FROM HIAWATHA HOBBIES AND INSTALL A DECODER.
ANYONE HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THIS HOBBY SHOP?
WHAT IS THE BEST DECODER FOR THIS MODEL?