I just bought two MDC 2-8-0's from Trainworld this week. I received the loco's this morning and they run extremely well on DC. I want to place a decoder in the tender under the coal load. I'm prepared to raise the coal load to give me the necessary room for the decoder. I'm assuming that unscrewing the trucks will open up the inside of the tender. That's seems to be the only way to get at the contents of the tender . Am I correct in this approach? Stay cool and run steam.....
NO!!, don't unscrew the trucks, there are fine wires connecting them to the motor. To open the tender, place a jeweler's screwdriver in the center of the top deck and coal load at the front and pry. The plastic top is held by small latches at the center front and rear and snaps in and out. Once you have the top off, you will see four screws in the four corners that hold the body onto the frame. You can then remove the body to get at the motor and wiring by removing these screws. I reworked the tops myself to add more tender deck including a water hatch and backup headlight. But beyond that you're on your own as I don't use DCC.
Gregg & Chris: Thanks for your help. I saw the wiring from the truck into the tender, that's why I posted the question. Stay cool and run steam....
I just saw this and had to look. The 2-8-0 DOES have wires on the tender. This explains why the coal load is different on the mogul. The mogul does not have wires. About ordering from the Trainworld: do I assume correctly that you can not order over the web; you must call? I could not get to a 'shopping cart' or ordering page on their website. I want some more moguls.
Phil: You have to call Trainworld directly. I received the two MDC 2-8-0's in 4 days. I think I'm going to get another two 2-8-0's. They look great. With some detailing, they'll look fantastic. Stay cool and run steam......
