Hi Jack:
I have a suggestion regarding the box cab drive. Don't bother trying to use the Grandt Line drive system if you have the powered model. It is not very robust. Instead I would suggest using a NWSL (North West Short Line) Stanton drive. You will get much better performance.
I'm not sure of the proper wheel diameter for the box cab but you should be able to get close. Here is the NWSL catalogue. Scroll down a few pages to find the Stanton drive specs:
http://nebula.wsimg.com/02d6e40c2d04190212ed400d3ccb2472?AccessKeyId=08BEE66B97B387F20C0D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
There is actually a lot of space inside the boxcab, enough for sound and lots of extra weight. I modified one a few years ago using a BullAnt drive from Hollywood Foundry in Australia but I'm not sure if Geoff is still building them. He had some serious back problems a year or so ago.
http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/
The Stanton drive is probably preferable because it takes up a lot less room inside the locomotive. I would call or email NWSL to see if they think one could be installed. The length might be an issue.
I'm sorry but I can't add any suggestions re who could do the install.
Here is my unfinished boxcab in action. The gear ratio is too high as you can see. I ordered 60:1. I should have ordered 30:1
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
You are fairly close to where I live, Genoa Illinois. There are several members of the club I belong to that are good at that sort of thing. Also if you go to B&G hobbies in Elgin they will sometimes instal for you. You would have to talk to them tho.
Since no one has a local suggestion for you: Yankee Dabbler, Litchfield Stationa and Tony's Trains do installations.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Well, you could go to a local club and ask members if they know a resource. Otherwise, you could try yourself. It's not that hard...
Simon
I live in norhern suburbs of Ill. I have Grant boxcabs in hon3. I am looking for a installer to do the dcc. I have a powered custom unit by David Hoffman and a attached dummy cab ala Malcom Furlow and John Olsen. I am hopping who ever can do the install they can put pickups also on the dummy cab.
Accu-lites here in Huntley Ill does not do installs anymore. They said a man named Steve Fields in Algonquin Ill does it but they did not have the name of his company or a phone number for him.
Ant recommendations?