Recent content by leejax01

Are the Kato 2nd generation(1997-2001 production) DCC ready? I know the newer ones have the 8 pin DCC socket, but is the 2nd generation a plug-n-play or does it need a whole board DCC conversion? Thanks for any info.

It seems that it takes quite some time for things to change. I like Atlas because I can swap shells if the frame is the same color and a loco with no sound can have sound...as relating to the Silver/Gold Das series which is my source of experience. I have other Atlas silver , but they have the...

I "heard" that it should be out later on this year...but as I have learned in model railroading, that can mean 6 months +. Locally, some items are still on backorder going on 2yrs.

The Atlas don't have a speaker box per say, but the way that they are mounted in the frame in a type of mount/enclosure. Tony'e sells the small speaker boxes for whatever size you need, but I have seen some without the boxes...and they sounded "ok".

Sent it back to Atlas...will let you guys know how long it takes and how it turns out.

Will probably end up sending it back to Atlas as all it is doing os sitting in the box. I really did not want to send it back as it could take a while to get back.

I was going to use the ESU Loksound 82410 DCC/Sound decoder. I was going to try a mini .50" speaker or a micro-oval speaker from Tony'y to go in the SD90. I may mill down the inner frame if I had to and add the weight if it greatly affected the pulling power. What CV to adjust the...

I read somewhere that the cab was the only reasonable place to put the speaker. I dropped the DCC/Sound decoder in my Kato Ac4400 with no problems right into the tank...might try and see if the same thing with some modifications can go in my SD90MAC.

Yes, the ditch light s are from factory and are seperate wiring/bulbs from the directional lights. In fact, with the decoder, you can run only ditchlights with no directional lights and vice versa or together. They are great locos for the price IMO, but it will be hard to put sound in it...

The SD70 runs fine and I did put in a Digitrax DH163D decoder. I have the UP SD70 and it runs Ok as I like the higher top speed for my long runs, but it has that worm-drive sound at a low crawl that I have gotten used to. Tried the Labelle 106 grease, but still there. I was pulling 25...

Nice to see the different loco types together like that GP's and SD's and Dash's together. I don't feel bad running my different era locos together now.

What do you think of the Athearn Genesis steam engines like the Big Boy and the Challenger? My Big Boy runs great.

I just bought a NS 8-40CW Dash loco NIB and when I initially put it on the track, the right ditch light did not work. The left one did fine, but not the right. It is the Atlas Silver Series with the contact pads on the front of the frame with the copper tabs on the shell. I contacted Don at...