Well alas, it may not be quite that easy.
I assume you are talking about the Baldwin 4-6-0
it sort of depends which version you buy and the decoder you use.
I have both types .
with both I ended up hard wiring the decoder and extending the coal bunker with "bludger boards" to hide the speaker.
Not difficult if you go slowly but boy is it worth it.
These little beauties are the stock engines for my layout now.
can't get enough of them.
Good luck.. go for it.

hi Folks I need help.
I have 2 Bachmann 3 truck shays.
They are great runners but my circumstances have changed.
I need smaller locos.
has anybody converted these to two truck ?
I have looked at them and reckon it can be done but it will mean carving up the back of the loco to fit a rear buffer beam.
Before I do irrepairable damage,
if anyone has done this can they please advise:

1. how does the loss of the rear pickup effect performance and
2. Where would I be able to fit a decoder (if possible sound)
regards,
Ozzie

Just a point from a non-US based modeller.
i dont know if the Lt.Mountain is prototypically decaled or not.
To my foreign eyes it looks great, it reflects my perceptions of "big" US locomotives and runs very very well.
Besides I can mark it to suite my road easy enough and those that can and do pick the discrepancies are not invited to visit.
The theme of my layout is enjoy!!

Not living in the USA and having the vast experience of having visited Miliwaukee exactly once on business I decided to change from German models to US.
I chose BN because I liked the Green & Black F units.
I then back dated to merger priod so I could collect all the member colour schemes. It was prototypical according to the BN journal I bought, but boy did it look toy like.
So I back dated to CB&Q the only decals I could get locally.

Now I have standardised on the Bachmann 4-6-0 as my stock Loco and regardless of if it is prototypical or not they all have CB&Q insignia.
BUT, they run great, look just as good and I am as happy as a kitten with a ball of string.
So, I guess the answer is in my case CB&Q but it does not matter.
Chose something, decal them all the same so they look consistant and have fun.

Being new to ON30 I have the advantage of not knowing what should/should not be done, I have converted my Bachmann caboose into a bobber by buying a cheap secondhand german HO four wheel freight car with the wheel base I wanted and chopped it to suit the bachmann unit and the KD height gauge.
Cheap and chearful, but it suites me.

Thanks lanny and Nigel,
I will try Lanny's resistor suggestion.

Nigel, quite frankly your recommendations regarding changing to bulbs has limited my thoughts to two options. Try Lanny's idea and if that does not work, change decoders. I have a bachmann 2-8-0, that has lamps and could benefit from sound.
Thank you. I will let you know how it goes.
regards.

Hi Mark,
I have two of the 4-8-2 s with the same sound decoder fitted.

With the decoder plugged in, in the normal manner, the lights are connected to the blue common and yes you are correct they are not as bright as when the Loco is used on DC without the decoder.

I have not considered this before ( just accepted it as a fact of life) but Jim could very well be right.
None the less I do not consider it worth the effort to change the lamps.
They do run very well and sound great... Enjoy.
Regards,
Ozzie

hi folks can any one help me please.
I have just purchased a bachmann 2-10-2 that runs so well it deserves sound.
Unfortunately I bought a Soundtrax DSD-101LC decoder without reading the on-line manual.
The decoder does not work with LEDs. When the sounds are activated the lights ( depending upon direction) flash.
I have tried connecting the LED from the white/yellow lead to the rail,bypassing the blue, but without avail.
Can anyone suggest a mod to the installation I can try or does it really meen that I have to change the LEDs to bulbs.
If that is the case, the big question is.. How on earth do I get the front of the boiler off to remove the headlight.
regards,
Ozzie