So you were able to get a decoder to work in your K-27?

Loksound decoders utilitize an 8 pin NMRA plug. These are sound and DCC all in one. Personally I think the Tsunami's sound better though.

I have already bypassed the tender board. I hooked up a DG583S, the decoder that has the screw terminals, to just the motor and pickup solder pads on the board. The solder pads go straight to the wire harness and into the locomotive. After hooking up this decoder I still had the exact same problem. I will try your suggestion with the light bulb and see if that works but I am running out of ideas and I would prefer not to dissassemble the locomotive.

Thanks,
Ryan

I was working on installing a Digitrax DG583AR today in one and it does not work. The decoder gets power and I can program it but nothing else works; no motor function, no lights, nothing. I know that the decoder is working because when programing in ops mode, the locomotive jerks and the headlight flashes. It seems to me that there may be something on the motherboard in the locomotive that may be interfering with the decoder.

I have seen both the General and General Haupt and they are outstanding models. The price is a bit steep although we are talking brass models so the price is actually fairly reasonable for brass. For those looking for more economical 19th century steam MTH has done a number of locomotives in the Railking and Premier line that are 1/5 to 1/2 the price of the SMR models and they also make rolling stock. While the models pale in comparison to the SMR models, the price is a lot less and they have sound.

SMR Trains has already nabbed this small area of the market. They've done the General, General Haupt, WH Whiton, CP "Atlantic", and they are doing the Texas as well as several other locomotives and rolling stock. These may be brass locomotives but they are not astronomically priced.

The brass locomotives that were sold by Williams in the late 80's and early 90's were imported from Samhongsa. I seriously doubt any of these engines will make another appearance since I don't think Bachmann is interested in importing brass models. Besides, there are so many companies offering scale 3 rail steamers in die cast or brass that Bachmann would be better off staying out of that end of the game. It would be much more profitable for Bachmann to continue with what Williams was known for and expand in that direction. Big steamers are expensive to design, tool up for, market, and sell. They have high prices and very little mark up. Besides, Lionel, MTH, and 3rd Rail pretty much have the market cornered. Not to mention Atlas O has entered the game with their 0-6-0 and Lionel now has all the tooling for the locomotives that K-line made.

Bachmann could easily get a 4-4-0 designed and built before we ever see the MMI model. MMI can get a model done about every 6-8 months at best and they still have C-19's, C-18's, C-17's, C-21's, K-36's, K-37's, and 0-6-0's to build. I estimate it to be a minimum of 4 years before we see 4-4-0's or 2-6-6-2's. You guys will have plenty of time to save up for these models or wait for Bachmann to do one.

BTW, MSRP for these models is about $500 for the 4-4-0 and $695 for the mallets

Will it be possible to purchase wheel sets in the future? Specifically the sets used on the 2-bay hoppers. These wheelsets just happen to work nicely in On3 trucks.