So, I have not looked inside my 4-4-0 yet so maybe this question is self evident BUT I am wondering if the decoder that comes factory installed is a plug-n-play type where I could just "plug in" a sound decoder say from Tsunami??  If so, how hard is it to do?
Thanks,
John

BTW...love the way she looks AND runs!!

That was INDEED the problem!  Thanks for the help!!
John

So my DCC system is great, love running the trains etc.  HOWEVER, I am having a problem with several of the lighted Bachmann cars.  When placed on the track they wig the system out.  This happens even in the cars I have cut the lights out of.  Is this the fault of all metal wheels/trucks causing a dead short??

If the Devil is involved in this, I must be his right hand man...On30 bit me hard and I love every minute of it!  Got a 4-4-0 for Christmas.  Absolutely love the way she runs.  I am getting the courage up to add Tsunami sound to her...

Thanks Wes,

I generally don't complain to EBay since I believe it to be a "buyer beware" type set up.  The guy did have to know this was a problem though since it only moves about an inch before binding.  No hair in the axles so I guess I had better start looking through the loupe.  There are a lot of gears and this could take some time, but it may be that it is the first set of gears just past the drive shaft.  I am not real sure what I will have to do to get into them though.  I really don't want to disassemble the entire rear truck.

Just received an E-Bay buy of a Climax that someone has added DCC and sound to.  Sounds great but only rolls forward and back for about an inch before the rear drive line binds up causing the rear wheels to stop turning.  I have moved the drive manually and it feels like there is a burr or something causing the thing to bind.  Any help on fixing this problem?
Thanks,
John

That's some great info!  So with the Tsunami there is no sync. set up?

Hmmm...Cad you say?  I use a pencil and graph paper LOL! 

I think the programs available are all about the same but if you can run Cadrail I expect it will do just fine for you.  Remember though, maps are not reality.  I have found that no matter how well planned out, how well drawn (by hand or computer) there is always a glitch somewhere or a "oh, I never thought of that" moment when reality hits the pike!

Awesome!  Of course for someone proficient an hour translates into several days for me 

So how hard is sound installation?  Wold be great to add sound to mine...

HOLY COW IS THAT SMALL!!

Got the TCS M1 today...that thing is ALOT smaller than I thought it would be...very delicate too!  Ordering a new soldering station now, Weller variable power 4 - 60 watt station.  Then I will be ready, I think (I need to get the other stuff from the Pacificcoastairliner site list as well...

Yep...I bet that is where it is!  Totally forgot about the secret flap 

Well, this is it...I just ordered my very first TCS M1 decoder!  Hope I can do this without fryin it   

Is this the one you got as a present?  I recommend that you ask the gift giver where he/she got it.  There are many used being sold at auction and if that is the case then there may be no paperwork.  Perhaps Bachmann could trace the model via a serial number and reproduce the aperwork for you?

Thank you sir, now all I need to do is convince the wife to let me spend money