Question about diesel switchers and decoders?

[CPPedler]

I have fitted a P2K SW900 with Soundtraxx DSD90-LC.Had to put the decoder in the cab but it doesn't show too much as the shrink material is a pale yellow colour and the cab is painted cream just cut away the cab console and slid the decoder on top of the floor the 3/8 inch speaker fits where the front weight was and drilled through the radiator grill with series of holes with a #78 drill . It works and sounds a treat.. PLS

[simon1966]

I have an Atlas S2. NCE makes a decoder specifically for this locomotive. The motor has to be isolated, but it was an easy installation,

[cacole]

I've put decoders into Kato NW-2 switchers and a Bachmann 2-motor GE 44-tonner by using Lenz LE077 decoders, which are dime-sized but can easily handle HO-scale locomotive current draw. The LE077 has been upgraded and has a new number now. Tony's Train Exchange can advise you on which decoder to use. In the Katos, I had to grind out a cavity for the decoder because Kato locomotives are solid weight and there was no opening for even the smallest decoder. The Bachmann, also, got a LE077 decoder. When Bachmann billed that one as "DCC Ready" what that meant was that there is a row of solder pads to which a decoder's wires can be soldered, but it can be done with the Lenz decoders and a very fine pointed soldering iron. How about a Bachmann handcar? I have seen one of them with a LE077 decoder installed.

If you want one of the smoothest running, quietest, slowest switchers available, get a Kato NW-2 but be prepared to totally disassemble the mechanism to get at the motor so it can be properly isolated, and to grind out an area on top of the frame for the decoder to fit into. A challenge, but not impossible. Kato's newer models may be DCC ready.

[tstage]

jshrade,

The Proto 2000 ALCO S1 switchers are DCC-ready and very, very, nice. There is an issue with the motor needing to be isolated from the frame before you install the decoder. (Check the Tony's Train Exchange web site and look in Tony's Tips about decoder installation in the P2K S1.) I'm still running DC but hope to make the jump to DCC in the next year or so.

Tom

[Jetrock]

The newer Bachmann Spectrum 44-tonners (the ones with a single motor, instead of dual power trucks) are "DCC-ready" in that there is a place to put the decoder, but so far as I can tell on mine there is no wiring harness. It can be done, though.

[rrinker]

Depending on the current draw of the locomotive, there are plenty of REALLY small decoders that cn power them. A lot of them can handle 1 amp continuous load but are small enough to sort of fit in a Z scale loco, so they will certainly fit in an HO narrow switch engine.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I haven't delved too deep in searching for who makes any that come decoder equipped or plug and play ready, but I'm primarily interested in SW's and/or MP's. If nobody makes any RTR DCC ready, how hard are decoders to install into smaller engines? I may also build a few large industrial complexes on my layout and I've thought about using the tiny 44 tonners (I think that's the size) as industry-owned hostlers. Anybody tried fitting a decoder in one of those? I think Model Power made one a few years back. Not sure if they still do, but right now it's just notes in the margin of my plans, not sure if I want anything that small yet or not.

Also, what SW models might CSX still be using in present day service? SW1000? SW1500? or would they use something else?

Thanks!