Bachmann shells interchangeability

[ncrmartin]

Good afternoon all, 

I'm new to modeling so if this is a stupid question, be gentle.  I have a Bachmann Thoroughbred train set.  I bought it because it had a Norfolk Southern F7 DC and rolling stock. The F7 matches the period and railroad I'm modeling Fully intending to build the track and at some point go DCC. I have a small (ever expanding) setup.  I would like to buy more track and rolling stock.  I'm thinking of purchasing the  Bachmann Thunder Chief train set mainly for the track and DCC Controller, the DCC locomotive is a plus. The thunder chief set has a Santa Fe F7 DCC equipped locomotive  I don't really have a desire to run a west coast railroad on my layout but it's an economical way for me to buy new track and DCC over purchasing all separately.  I'd be happy as a pig in mud if I could buy this set and simply change the shells and get the Norfolk Southern DCC locomotive I really want.  Is this doable?

[jward]

You could do what you want but you'll learn alot more if you install the decoder yourself and use the money the set would cost to get a better DCC controller. The one in the set is extremely limited in what it can do. It is simply amazing what programming the decoder with a DCC system capable of doing so will do to smooth out the operation of your locomotive.

[ncrmartin]

Thanks for the advice.  That's what I think I'll do.  I got to thinking too much I guess.