Just got one, it is DCC ready. Is the decoder #44915 the appropriate decoder for this loco? I've installed several already in other that were plug and play, so to speak. Is this the plug in type? I haven't taken the tender apart yet. Thanks.
It has an 8-pin socket in the tender and will take any decoder with an 8-pin plug.
You do have the proper DCC decoder for your engine.
This decoder has the advantage of being completely compatible with the electronics on this engine
You do not need to cut the connection with the capacitors. If you use another DCC decoder you would most likely have to cut the capacitors as the engine would probably run erratic at times.