Thanks Charles,

I figured since you're already running 4 other wires why not run an additional two for power pick-up.
I figure the more the merrier. 

Wow that's impressive!
Do you have pictures of the front?
What did you do to cover up the hole where the headlight used to go?
Pennsylvania railroad light?  What brand loco is that?
Thanks.

Really nice work.
What scale is this?

Looks like you got yourself a retrograde loco.
Or maybe your locomotive is just loco. 
Either way I would keep it away from all your other locomotives - it may be contagious. 

I would love to see the results.  Will you please share with us?

Routing the wires out to the tender for a sound decoder.

No problem Charles.

Will you be adding a sound decoder as well?

I haven't worked out how I'm gonna run the six wires on the locomotive back and out to the tender.  I think through the top of the engine will be the best choice but I'm afraid more cutting will be involved.

I haven't decided which sound decoder to go but so far I've looked at two that are priced at $63.00.  I also need to get a DCC system. 

Nonetheless, I will be purchasing the sound decoder next week and routing the cables.

If anyone has done this will you please post it here for the rest of us.
Thank you.

Well I opened two of them.

The first one all I had to do was unscrew the couplers because they're actually attached to the top of the tender.  Then remove the rear ladder or just push it out of the way - it's quite flexible.
Then you grab something skinny and push through the rear hole to push the top off.

The second one however wouldn't unhook from the front section so I drilled a hole on the bottom right in the middle where the little nipple is and pushed it through with a thin screw driver.  You won't damage anything this way because you're actually pushing against the lead weight.

I like the second method the best because even though you have to drill a hole it is really easy.

Thanks fieromike,

I followed your instructions and got it open safely.

I don't know how to do open it without damaging it.
I found a website where it shows it's been done but they don't explain how to pry it open without damaging it.

On the bottom of the tender if you turn it over you can see a little plastic nipple possible what holds the two halfs together I'm thinking of drilling through that and see what happens.

Any suggestions with that? 

So far the best one, price-wise since I have no experience with any of this stuff is:
Soundtraxx  LC090  N-Scale for $64.00

Thanks rogertra,

Now, if I want to post pictures here to get some tips can I do that? 
Or do they have to go into the photo gallery or maybe I can link them to a website? 
I don't have a website for my train pictures, do you guys recommend one?

Hello there,

I am about to buy my DCC system pretty soon here.  Now I know that the Consolidation is DCC ready and there is space in the boiler to for the decoder but you have to compromise and remove a weight.  I don't like this idea because it will affect the phenomenal pulling performance of the Consolidation.

So I was thinking that there is plenty of space in the tender for a sound decoder.  I will have to reroute the wires but I am willing to do this.

Has anyone done this?  Which sound decoder do you guys recommend?

Thank you

r.cprmier.

Do tell what these secret chemicals are.  I want to create this magical weathering potion.

--------

I found this guy online who creates spectacular weathered rolling stock.  Unfortunately it's all HO scale and I model N scale.
But I started taking ideas from him and he's been very influential.  Last night my friend and I practically cloned one of his designs.  I'm so proud I almost wanna shoot him an e-mail thanking him and showing him my little clone of his art. 
You guys think it's bad to borrow heavily from someone else's designs?

Paul,
I like the logo on your signature.  Is that a small railroad and that's why I've never heard it or is it a railroad you created?

I really dig the logo.

Anyone here ever create your own railroad complete with logo?