A DCC question

[traindude]

I have bought  Lionel Polar Express Set 2-8-4 Berkshire steam locomotive I have two questions.

1. Can I install a sound DCC decoder in side the Loco or tender?

2. And what Company is recommended?
The traindude.

[SteamGene]

Normally the decoder goes in the tender of a steam locomotive.  What does your paperwork say?  The sound decoder of choice is the Tsumani.  I'd look at the new MRC.  In any event, you want medium steam.
Gene

[Jake]

Is this the O-Scale 3-Rail Set? If so, then you can NOT install DCC in the engine. You would have to use DCS or TMCC. Both of which I am unfamiliar with.

[traindude]

Gen the paper work didn't mention anything. Thank you for your information. Is it very hard to install the decoder.

[SteamGene]

Before trying to install a decoder, verify Jake's comment on DCC not working with Lionel three rail AC. 
Gene

[Jake]

^It may be possible to install a Marklin Motorola decoder in it, if you can A. Find one, and B. figure out how to install it. Since MM was developed for Marklin AC models. But I do advise that you look this up first. As I am not 100% on this.

[taz-of-boyds]

Hello,

You may find more info with this google search:

lionel dcc

From the Digitrax site you can do a search from:

http://www.digitrax.com/isearch2/index.php

I searched for:

lionel

This turned up a bunch of items including:

http://www.digitrax.com/appnote_acmotors.php

This shows special wiring required for a couple different AC motors used in Lionel using normal Digitrax decoders:

DG383AR DG383AR fits locos with AristoCraft DCC plug
arrangement. Use with locos that have single motor per
truck such as AristoCraft RS-3 & RDC.

DG583AR DG583AR fits locos with AristoCraft DCC plug
arrangement. Use with locos that have two motors per
truck such as AristoCraft SD45 .

You may want to continue to look around and do more research.  If I was DCC'ing Lionel I would.  But it seems entirely possible, you may just need to work at it a bit more.

Have fun,
Charles