spectrum dash 8-40C, what decoder?

[blueridge1971]

Hi railfans!
Need some help guys! I have 3 engines I want to convert to dcc.
#1. Bachmann spectrum GE DASH 8-40C (Item # 85062)
#2. Bachmann U36-B (Item # 64068)
#3. Bachmann GP-50 southern (Item # 61254)

I'm wondering if I can use a DZ123 Z Scale Mobile Decoder for all three of these. If not, can you guys help me out & give me some advise. Maybe a link or something showing how to do this. From now on I'm buying dcc ready or DCC equipped. Thanks yall! may the rails be with you...

[nscaler711]

you may have to do some work to the frames to get the decoders to fit.
if your lucky you cann fit it into the cabs of them.

[taz-of-boyds]

Here is something for the dash 8-40, a $16 replacement frame:

-  http://www.sodigi.com/bachmann.htm

Will look around a bit later, meanwhile maybe some of the other guys have more to say.

Have fun,
Charles

PS, dug up a bit more:

-  http://trainweb.org/nrmrc/dcc/

If you follow the links around, you can get to an article that discusses milling an original DASH 8-40C frame.  Though not your other Bachmanns.  You can get an idea of what you need to do modify the frames yourself.

more stuff:
-  http://www.wiringfordcc.com/
-  http://www.aurotrains.com/aurotrains2.html
-  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ndcc/

[conradin]

DZ123 for all my spectrums.
For non spectrums, you need to mill and work on the frame to fit.

[blueridge1971]

Thanks guys! You've been the best help I've had! I'm going to tackle the dash 8 in a couple of weeks. It's one of my favorite engines so it's a MUST HAVE. The other two are not MUST haves but I may do the U BOAT after the dash 8.

My layout has 18 atlas snap switches ( small yard 5 tracks wide, double main line with 2 crossings to go from main 1 to main 2 & 1 sidding for storage & then the best one, A BEER PLANT!  Simple in & out route with 2 turnouts.)
BUT, I'm beggining to hate them. Rolling stock catching edges of the switch machines housing, shorts, ect. I want to convert everything to under the table at the begining of the year. I use a digitrax DCS 50 & just got into dcc about 6 months ago. I love it. I'm having to study my A#$ off to learn what's going to be the best way to go.
I would like to have automatic signals in the future, maybe the "tortus" SLOW MO switch machines for under the table? sound, & no more than 3 trains going at once with freinds. 2 main line engines running loads & 1 switcher in the yard. ( I'm favoring the MP15 right now.) Would also like to hook the laptop up to it just to play around in geekville for an added demintion. any suggestions?
THANKS AGAIN GUYS FOR THE GREAT HELP. YOU MAKE A NEWBE FEEL RIGHT AT HOME!