Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Note that the European manufacturers do often locate their decoders in the fuel tank/inverter box. However they also rely on deep NEM flanges to track well, and traction tires for pulling power,since their loco's are very light (My Atlas S-2 weighs roughly 3x as much as my Fleischmann Class 103 heavy electric, which is the size of an SD45). Another thing which tends to cause problems for the lower location is motor mounts. Most North American designs have motor mounts in the location where you want the decoder, this is going to be a major design issue. I doubt that any manufacturer will throw away a proven chassis design to accomodate a possible 1 time change that the user may perform (Really, you're going to install the decoder, and then leave it alone, except for the occasional user who has a problem). Note that this location will also make rewiring the locomotive for different lighting (Ditch lights, relocation of headlights) and the addition of sound will be significantly more difficult with the fuel-tank location. Also, many smaller locomotives don't have a large enough fuel tank (RS units, switchers, smaller GP's, some passenger units) to accomodate the decoders. The disadvantages of the lower location (Higher CoG, necessity to redesign chassis, more complicated wiring, more difficult sound installation) tend to outweight the advantages (Removing the shell no longer necessary to install DCC).
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community