I notice that several of the HO scale USRA locomotives are offered with DCC for several RR lines, but not for the NC&StL, which is the railroad that I model. Will DCC be offered for the NC&StL at some point in the future? If so, can you estimate when that will happen?

If a DCC version of the NC&StL USRA 0-6-0 will not be offered in the future, is it possible to separately purchase a DCC decoder for the user to install in the DC version?

I have acquired two HO scale Bachmann steam engines - - a Jupiter and an American. Can sound be added to either or both of these? If so, How? and who manufactures the sound equipment?

I have read that, in buying a loco, I should look for a loco that includes: (1) a flywheel; (2) all metal wheels; (3) a metal frame; (4) all main wheels are gear driven, and (5) all main wheels pick up electricity.

I would appreciate it if you would advise me as to how the Spectrum HO 4-4-0 #83406 matches up on each of the items described above.

Does the descriptive " DCC-equipped" mean that the 83406 comes complete with a decoder already installed, or does it simply mean that the unit has a space designated for a decoder to sit in, and comes equipped with a plug for a decoder to be plugged in to ?

Are all the 83406's made in U.S. ?  If not, where are they made?

To:  Yampa Bob, CNE Runner & richG ~
Great Info !
Many Thanks!

rustyrails ~ Great Info! Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

I recently purchased a Bachmann HO locomotive, which represents an actual locomotive that operated from 1869 to 1909. I have been unsuccessful in locating vintage rolling stock (by Bachmann, or others) from that same era to use with this locomotive (box car, livestock car, flatbed, gondola, passenger car, caboose, etc.). Not only would such rolling stock match the era of my locomotive in design and appearance, but I believe that such cars generally will be of a shorter length than modern HO cars, which tend to visually overwhelm my locomotive. Stock ranging from 3-1/4" to 5-1/2" appears appropriate.

I have wondered if I am just not looking in the right places. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I might look for vintage HO rolling stock?

I have recently acquired a Bachmann HO Jupiter locomotive with tender, and I am now attempting to locate rolling stock (stock car, passenger car, gondola, flat car, caboose) to use with that locomotive. If the rolling stock that I locate does not have compatible couplers, is it likely that most such cars would be built so that the couplers can be replaced by another type of coupler? Also, what type of coupler is generally considered to be the most desireable in use today?

Also, in the event that the rolling stock comes with plastic wheels, is most rolling stock manufactured today built so that the plastic wheels can be replaced with metal wheels?