Great work Jonathan.  Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the decoder install tips  I haven't started on this yet but will keep your info in mind. As far as liking my S4, actually, it hasn't been run very much yet.  Bought it just before I converted to DCC.  It's a good looker and a real DCC ready bargain.  I'm sure I'll like it once I get it converted.

Excellent thread on the S2 Jonathan - Thank you.  I have always admired your modeling skills that you show from time to time on this forum.  Getting the shell off is a relatively simple matter once you know the attachment method.  As I said in my original post I did not rely solely on the parts diagram, but was unable to locate anything on my specific point in this forum or on YouTube.
                                                              Bob

Thanks for the help.  That will be a project for tomorrow.  Could you post a link to one of the YouTube videos you
found.  I'd like to know what I missed.

My HO S4 diesel is DCC ready and I want to put a sound decoder in it.  I'm in the process of converting all my analog locos to sound DCC.  I'm fairly experienced at this having converted about 6 or 7 other locos successfully so far, but I am stumped with this one at removing the loco shell from the chassis.  The parts diagram is no help and I've searched this forum and YouTube for this topic and not turned up anything.  Anybody been through this and can advise?  Thanks.
                                           Bob

Trainman203:  When you changed to Tsunami decoders, where did you find the 8 pin in-line plug that is required to match the loco's 8 hole receiver under the cab?  Or did you rewire the loco to put in the standard NMRA 8pin (4 x 4) plug?  I have four of these 2-6-0's  with the OEM " sound value" sound, one of which I managed to fry several of the wires from the decoder( due to an undetected short) and I've been looking for a replacement.  I know the Tsunami decoder (probably one of the TSU 1000's) which would be appropriate, but I haven't been able to find the plug to match the locos.

All good ideas --  Thanks! I took Dave's suggestion and ran two (one with my temporary weights installed, one OEM) of mine in a consist.  Looks real cool and they pull eleven cars up my 2 % grade with no slippage whatever.  They also seem to be synchronized well on my DCC system.  As I said in an earlier post, I have four of these BM 2-6-0 Moguls.  One presently is not operational because, due to a brief short which my system did not detect and shut down. two of the decoder wires from the tender to the plug on the loco were fried.  I 'm not sure about the decoder itself, so I'd like to buy a replacement if I could find the brand and same model decoder.  The plug is not the standard 8 pin side by side plug but rather 8 pins in line.  Does anyone know what make decoder this is?  It doesn't seem to be a BM part  -- it's not listed anywhere or shown in any parts diagram I found.  Nevertheless. I emailed BM service yesterday hoping I might get an answer from them.                        Bob

Hunt:  Couldn't agree more with you re. your footnote to Mr. Bachmann  --  this isn't the first time I have run into difficulties in modifying or repairing where an improved parts diagram would have eased the pain.
Dave:  Good idea re. consisting two of them.  I will do that.  I also tried additional weight on one of mine.  I slipped a piece of lead (maybe 1/2  ounce) into the cab and a similar piece in the front using a temporary fastener of double sided tape on the walkway directly under the smokebox.  First attempt it pulled six cars up my 2 % grade with a little slippage, but it never even came close to pulling up more than four before.  I think I can fashion a piece of lead  for a permanent spot in the cab --  shouldn't be too visible if painted black;  and fashion a rectangular piece for CA'ing under the smokebox and maybe I could make it look like a toolbox  ( think Shay or Heisler with their toolboxes.)  All right it may not be prototypical on a Mogul but who the heck would notice besides fellow modelers?
                                      Bob

Thanks Dave;  that's very helpful. I'll take your advice and not go there. Yes, mine are the latest 2-6-0's with sound.   What I was overlooking was the small screw under the sand dome, I didn't spot that in the parts diagram.  My experience with their pulling is similar to yours.  They will pull three, maybe four cars, up a two percent grade and about the same as you experience on level track.  I'll see if I can fashion a small lead weight of some sort and disguise it in the cab one of my four models.  Really like these little engines with sound  --  they're economical to buy, the sound is good and they fit right in for my early 1900's logging and coal MRR. Thanks again for the info.    Bob

I have four of these splendid little sound equipped locos.  I would like to add maybe an ounce of weight in the loco boiler above the drivers, if there is room, to increase the tractive effort.  I'm not able, even with the parts diagram, to figure out how to remove the boiler and cab from the chassis to add weight.  Can anybody give me some insight or point to a "how to video"?  Thanks.