I have fit Bachmann decoders to several 0-4-0 Porters with the newer chassis shared with the 0-4-2.  I attached the decoder to the inside of the  cab side and removed a small area from the bottom of the water tank to clear the wires.  I replaced the head light bulbs with small surface mount LEDs.  The locomotives run flawlessly with DCC. 

Jim

15 inches is about the minimum limit.

I vote for a scaled up version of the On30 Davenport.   

I'll second that!

Jim

Ned,

Yes and no to your question if I have a larger layout.  I am a member of the Texas Outlaws On30 modular group.  I have two modules that I use in train shows and gatherings.  I do plan a home layout someday after I finish my large scale layout in the yard.

Jim

I was honored this month to have my small "pizza" layout illustrated on Carl's web site.  My layout uses 6 inch radius curves with 0-4-0 Porters using Bachmann DCC decoders and Bachmann DCC controllers.  A friend made the You Tube video.

  http://carendt.com/scrapbook/page67a/index.html

Pat,

Have you cleaned the wheels and track?  I haven't experienced any problems except when one or both are in need of cleaning.  The metal axles in metal side frames conduct electricity quit well.

Jim

I have seen Thomas HO scale gondola cars used by several people.  I am in the process of converting a Thomas tank car to On30.  It has taken quit a bit of work to remove the British details and rebuild the frame to look right.  In retrospect it probably would have been just as easy to build up a new frame from scratch. 

Jim

I just got back in town from Portland, and the 4-4-0 is a really great looking SMALL locomotive.  It is perfect for 30 inch gauge railroads.  The cab didn't appear much higher than a cab on a Porter and it looks like it will run on less than an eighteen inch radius curve.  Definitely not a 3 foot gauge model running on 30 inch rails!

Jim, back in Texas

I would definitely go for the stainless steel track!

Make that motor, not moter!

Very good intructions, but please note that more recent production Porter 0-4-0's have a revised chassis from the 0-4-2.  The new chassis omits the spring contacts and has an electrically isolated moter.  I have found it easier to convert to DCC.

I have used one for over 10 years and never had a problem with multiple trains.  My only complaint is that the speed control does not allow for very slow crawl speeds.

I have added DCC to Porters and it is not for the faint of heart unless you have some previous experience.  The result is well worth the effort.  They are great little locomotives.   

I tried some experimentation with running a passenger car behind a Porter.  It will look a whole lot better if you can lower the passenger car with smaller diameter wheels or smaller trucks and cut down bolsters.

I use a very simple solution.  Connect the yellow and white wires from the decoder together.  That way you will receive power to the headlight in both forward and reverse.  I did that on my gas mechanical with factory DCC and on my Porters and 2-6-0 when I installed DCC.

Jim