I'm trying to figure out what decoders will work with the 80 Ton Three Truck Shay. It has the socket for a decoder but I can't figure out what is the proper one to use? Specifically, I have the 81909 catalog number Shay. A little help please. TIA.
In my 80 ton 3 truck shays I used a SoundTraxx decoder. Decoder part number 884006 and speaker, part number 810112. I removed the circuit board in the tender and direct wired the decoder. I have found that this eliminates a lot of headaches that could show up with the board left in. I cut some of the oil tank bottom off and drilled some holes in the bottom of the bunker to let the sound out, and installed the speaker in there.
Hope that helps.
Call Soundtraxx. They have Model railroaders on staff there who will be able to answer any question you have about any of this.