So the capacitors have to be cut? No big deal. Sounds almost like they expected to have people converting over.

Balto, is there any way you could sneak pictures? I would like to have a good look at a production version before I order one.

Also, did we ever get that question answered as to how easy a sound decoder will be to install? I've... been gone a while.

I'm interested to know if I can replace the standard DCC decoder with a sound decoder and if so which decoder would be best? I think Tsunami's medium steam decoder already has the speakers installed on it. I just want to know how much work I'm in for to make the replacement. I'm getting both PMs and both C&Os regardless.

I think all of my questions have been answered. I didn't mean to start a fistfight, though. Sorry. Thanks to you all.

Thanks. I was trying mostly to stick with wooden '40s anyway, as they just look very nice. I have a few steel '40s but not many. The layout I am working on models a fictional southern Michigan town in the winter of 1947, so I think I've been making proper roling stock choices. Thanks.

Hey guys,

What boxcars were in general use from about 1940-1950 to move dry goods and nonperish. I'm trying to model this time period fairly accurately and would like to know what is too early and what is too late?

Also, are there any references available as to what sort of traffic was moving through Michigan and Illinois during that period?

Thanks.

I have seen Soundtraxx tsunami decoders available and have heard they are really good. From youtube videos, the medium steam decoder sounds pretty close to what PM1225 sounds like. I think Bachmann uses these in their 4-6-2 and 4-8-2s. The medium is said to be appropriate for 4-6-2, 2-8-2, 4-6-4, and 2-10-0 as well as a few others.

Whistle recordings include the following:

Santa Fe Freight
B&O 3-Chime #74
PRR Banshee
Lehigh Valley
Nathan 5-Chime (Road Mix)
Nathan 5-Chime (Yard Mix)
USRA 6-Chime

While this place is sold out, here's a link with info and options on the Soundtraxx decoders http://www.loystoys.com/soundtraxx/tsunami.html

That is good news indeed! 1225 and 1218 were both N-1 berks, and reference photos for 1225 are readily available should you guys need them, although being a world-wide company, I doubt you have trouble getting reference material.

BTW, The white-wall wheels are a nice touch. Life-Like and Walthers did not think to include this detail on their berks! If I can easily convert to tsunami sound, I'll get one of every PM and C&O road number you can make!

I'm really excited about the new 2-8-4s coming out. They look great! I got a couple of questions I was not able to find answers to during a search.

1. I noticed in a photo of the PM1225 model shown at the NMRA show that the sand bunker is forward of the steam dome as it was on PM N-2 Berks and C&O Kanawhas. PM1225 is an N-1, and the sand bunker and steam dome should be in reverse order, similar to the NKP Berkshires. Is this a prototype-only error that will be fixed in production?

2. I'm fairly new at DCC, so forgive this one. I see that these models will be DCC equipped but no sound. Will the decoder be hard-wired or will it plug into an 8-pin connector so that I can replace it with a decoder that includes sound functions as well? Also, what dcc/sound decoder would be recommended for these locomotives. So far the Soundtraxx Tsunami system that Bachmann installs on its spectrum units seems pretty good, but are there any other suggestions?

Thanks for any info.