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Jon, does the loco drive on all wheels or just one truck? I have one of the Bachmann Plus F7s (all wheel drive, flywheels, etc) which will definitely be getting a decoder when I can afford one as it looks a simple installation and the loco's a great runner. On the Plus F7 you have to remove the piece of the pickup that presses against the frame - it's basically a brass "hoop" that passes the current from the wheels to the frame. My plan would be to clip this off, and solder a fine, flexible wire to the pickup instead (as on the other side of the truck) - this would isolate the frame from the rails. A piece of electrical tape would also be used to isolate the motor from the frame (taking no chances here!). I would recommend a decoder with BEMF as these give amazing slow-speed control. The one thing to watch is the current draw, as I hear some Bachmann locos can be a bit "hungry" (not tested mine yet, as it's a way down the "to do" list for DCC). <br /> <br />If it's the version with a single power truck then you really do have to ask whether it's worthwhile - Bachmann will sell you decoder-fitted FT A and B units in assorted schemes, they look pretty good models and are not much more expensive than a decoder. You could easily convert your existing loco into a dummy, then run it with an FT A and B to make an ABA set - would look pretty impressive!
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