They are nice:thumbs_up: Alot bigger than I thought as well, they definitely need more than a 12 3/8 inch radius, now I need to get decoders, who makes decoders for them and how difficult are they to install?
One decoder you could use is the Digitrax DN163K2 http://www.digitrax.com/prd_mobdec_dn163k2.php . I can't tell you if the installation is difficult as I never put a decoder in a N scale locomotive yet. There is also other possibilities, but they might be a bit more complicated.
This is a true drop in install. It is very easy. The same decoder fits the Kato RS/RSC-2 which is what I installed them in. Remove shell. Grasp light board and slide to rear. You may need to loosen the frame screws slightly. Lift light board off. Place a piece of Kapton tape on the frame in the area where the two copper strips project down from the light board. You may need to trim the tape for proper width. The tape prevents the decoder from shorting to the frame under the copper strips. Install the decoder the opposite order from which you removed the light board. You may have to bend the decoder board slightly to get it into place. Be careful not to break it. It is better to not remove the decoder after it is installed unless you need to. If you loosened the screws, tighten them back like they were. After installing the decoder, perform a reset as the first step of programming. Estimated time of install including programming: less than 10 minutes, probably less than 5 minutes if you have done one before. Mark
The Kato SD80's and SD90's are my favorites, they are smooth running and pull well. Good addition to your stable! Cheers, http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html
