Yeah neither did i. I'm not exactly sure when they stopped the production in the sp road name but I know the model is a few years old. I'm not ocd about details or of how accurate it is to a prototype gs1 especially since it's in n scale. I've been a Santa fe and southern pacific  guy for years and my past ho layouts have all been sf. I figured if Ima start a new layout in n scale, I'd go for sp especially since it's easier to find rolling stock and locomotives for. I had just never done dcc to an n scale locomotive before. I have for ho but n scale is much smaller and fiddly. I just want to make sure I do it right since it's so small and probably isn't set up for dcc plug and play. Look up bachmann 58157 to see it on google images.

I haven't actually hard wired a decoder in a locomotive but I have wired pcb boards for projects. I know the general concept to do it (what wires go where and connect to what and how to insulate the motor) I think I can manage it but I just want to know what I'm working with before it actually gets here

I'm looking into getting a sp 4-8-4 made a few years back #58157. It's not dcc and I was wondering how hard it was to convert if anyone has.  If you have converted it could you attach pictures?

Thanks guys. And yes I am limited by apartment space (complex is across the street from my school). This is why I liked the idea of terrain for trains. You can add on little layout sections. I have tried to build a layout in my junior year of hs and it was never completed because of time and money (it was L shaped 8x8.) I want to do an n scale layout since I moved into college and I bought one with a little loop to run on a desk in my room. But I got lucky and can support myself w/o a room mate. So I have a small spare room about 8x7 that I want to build a a small L shaped layout in a corner as it is my little study room where I do my work. I want to put it on the 8 ft wall so the terrain for trains idea sounded good. I know I can do more with n scale and I can afford it more but I dont want this to  be a run on project. I would like it to be completed by the time I graduate which im a junior in college so i have till around june of 2016. I like detail but not museum quality and I already have some dcc equipment. I have built a few layouts and now that i think about it I think im better off building my own. Ill jus have to find a track plan I like. Well thanks guys andnwhen I start ill try to post pictures

Its been a few months since ive been active on here. Its a new season and its time for me to get back and make a new layout. I remember how much my old ho layout cost and ive realized that now is the time to make a proper n scale layout (as my little loop with a siding isnt cutting it). I love being able to build your own layout but right now school takes up most of my time and money (college). I know a few people that have ventured into terrain for trains which is a company that makes durable 4x2 1/2 ' n scale layouts of various track plans. I really like these but cant seem to find them any where for a good price. Most places have then for at least over 350 dollars and some up to 700. I want to get 2 sections and have a 8x2 1/2 layout and upgrade my dcc roster so I dont want to spend thousands (maybe a thousand). Does anyone know of a place/website where I can get terrain for trains for a good price? And since im here what do yall think about terrain for trains?

It would be great to see a 4-8-4, 2-10-4, or even 4-6-2 with dcc maybe sound. Great to see in santa fe paint.

Ok so the pictures are not co-operating. So here is a link to the ad.

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/tag/4604704910.html

Hey guys this is the layout I am looking at. It looks pretty good in the pics. This is a quick description of what it is:
4'x8' with a 9" control shelf on a stained wood frame with legs. The legs have wheels for easy moving.
It has a Z-scale loop for a narrow gauge train around the mountain (top 9" above base).
Has a working waterfall and river with pump and has wired blocks and switches.

I dont really know about the working river. I might just pull it out and replace with the woodland scenics water. Like i said it is around 15 years old and hasnt been used in a few years. It is 200 dollars for everything in the pictures. I have another post with the other pics on it right after this. I would like everyone's opinion on this layout. It is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours from my home so it would be a wasteful drive if I dont get it but im really liking this one,  definitely has room for potential and possible add ons. Thanks guys.

Ok well thanks. I just thought I would ask to make sure I didnt just jump in and mess up.

The reason im posting in the n scale tab and not general discussion is because this concerns an n scale layout and I figured this would have the "I've done that experience". I recently found an interest in n scale (about a year and half ago) and have been wanting to start a layout but have very little time to construct one to the quality that I want. I found a 4x8 layout on my local Craig's list (I know some of you are saying dont do it) but it is a nice layout. It was built by an old railroader about 15 or so years ago, thus it has a lot of blocks for control. I have a dcc setup from my old ho layout and would like to use it on this, but I haven't been able to find a conversion topic in n scale. The layout is 200 dollars which to me is a bargain. I dont mind putting some $ into it since I know it will probably need a good cleaning and possibly some track replaced. Has anyone converted a block system layout to dcc? And how did you do so? Is it easy for the average Joe to do and is it going to require some special tools? I imagine the layout has either plastic rail joiners or no rail joiners at the block sections and those would need to be taken out and soldered. I just dont know what exactly I would need to do and can I take advantage of what is there already (I.e the lead wires to each block could be hooked up in a dcc bus wire to supply track power). Any help and any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks, BaldwinMikado

The board should sit right on top of the frame between the frame and shell. This is normal for most locos. I was just wondering if one it was dcc and if it would work on my gp40 with no problem.

Mine will be an "around the wall" layout so I have access to all switches and control options and don't have to go climbing to get to them.

I popped mine open real quick and it has two chassis pieces;  an upper and a lower. The lower is the main chassis and the motor sits on top of it and the upper acts as a "lid" and with screws keeps it all together. Power wires run from the truck to the dc pcb board on top of the chassis and then wires go to the motor. The negative contact on the motor touches the frame but that's it. The motor wouldn't be to hard to isolate

Ive never heard of that manufacturer before. The electrical pickup is weird and I plan to make it dcc with possible sound but I would prefer all wheel pickup (incase a dirty rail is the length of the tender or drive wheel area). The rarity means money and I wouldn't pay $700+ for it (rather spend that on the layout or even a newer dcc system). Ill keep looking online now that I know someone does make them

You have to use Life money it'll definitely work!   But anyway thanks ill try that