I'm trying to get the Loco shell off so I can get to the smoke unit (I have the replacement, but need to get to the old one).  I've removed the two (2) screws located just above the cylinder assemblies (one on each side of the engine), and there do not appear to be any other screws holding the shell to the chassis.   From the exploded drawing it looks like the shell should just come off, but it isn't working and I don't want to break anything.  Is there something I'm missing, or do I need a bit more force?

I have a Prairie 2-6-2 that is now longer making smoke.  How difficult is it to replace the smoke unit, and is there a problem running this on a DCC vs. standard DC layout?  The loco is about 1 1/2 years old, and I was using it on DC until February of this year when I switched to a DCC controller.  Everything seemed to work well for awhile, but the last couple of times I've run the unit it hasn't made smoke.

Is there an issue with running the smoke unit on DCC, or do I just have a smoke unit that's rung down the curtain and joined the choirs eternal?

I purchased a DCC Ready GG-1 last spring, and am getting ready to convert the system to DCC.  The diagrams that came with the locomotive are not extremely helpful in showing where things go, but I think I can figure it out once I get started.  My question is what are the available Bachmann decoders to install, and what are the pros / cons of each.  I'm also trying to impress my 6 year old, so the more available whistle's and bells the better!