Dave, sounds like we may have had the same GS-4's. I had them before I went DCC. All I did to mine was add some weight to the Engines for better traction and a 1.5 oz to the tender for better tracking backwards.
I sold them when I went DCC. At that time, I though adding a decoder was beyond my skill level. In retro speck, I wished I had kept them. Best steamers I have had dollar for dollar.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
cudaken Dave, sounds like we may have had the same GS-4's. I had them before I went DCC. All I did to mine was add some weight to the Engines for better traction and a 1.5 oz to the tender for better tracking backwards. I sold them when I went DCC. At that time, I though adding a decoder was beyond my skill level. In retro speck, I wished I had kept them. Best steamers I have had dollar for dollar. Cuda Ken
Ken
The first one I sent in was one that I had modified for DCC. Isolated the brush holder on one side using a nylon screw, soldered on a wire and added an MRC Brillance decoder with the speaker in the cab. Choice of decoder was big mistake. Poor sound from the small speaker and very short decoder life. When I found out that $40 would get a new loco with modern chassis/motor and room in the tender for a big speaker I jumped. Planning to add a Tsunami large steam at some point in the future. I have read that adding weight to both the loco and tender really helps. But gotta resolve the track issues first.
I like the layout plan you posted. From your comments it is not clear whether this is your existing layout or one planned for the future. At first glance looks like there might be a few reversing sections unless there are different levels shown. What software did you use to draw it?
BTW nice looking Mopar. I'm a Bowtie guy myself but I appreciate a fine machine and do drive a work truck with a Hemi.
Thanks for the inspiration. Sometimes it can be discouraging trying to make that long loco run on tight turns and you begin wondering if it is worthwhile until you find someone else who has done it successfully. Keep up the good work (and words).
Dave
From Mt Pleasant, Utah, the home of the Hill Valley and Thistle Railroad where the Buffalo still roam and a Droid runs the trains
It doesn't really matter which preference you have for decoders, but if you buy an inexpensive one, it usually doesn't hold up to the quality of-say-a Tsunami or Lok-sound, or Digitrak. These are all quality rigs, and for sound, I my preference is Tsunami; probably only reason is that I am unfamiliar with the other two. Pretty much any locomotive can be converted to a DCC unit, as there are so many types and shapes of them out there, it makes installation pretty much a fun project.
EF-3 Yellowjacket