Jeff, Take the time to look at the TCS, Digitrax, NCE, and other decoder websites to see how they show putting their decoders in various locos. Most show how the body shells come off, what the trick is to remove the PCB or Decoder, and some areas to look for insulating or building up on the frame or decoder to make proper contact and prevent smoking an expensive DCC board. There are many things that can and do go wrong after a year of use. Were engines handled after each operation, transported from place to place, or even sat in place for an extended time? Anything scaled down can have small problems magnified just because of the reduced tolerances allowed. Don't get turned off from a manufacturer because of their policies on warranty protection. With my 40 plus years in the hobby, I've seen a lot of things (and I'm sure there are more I haven't) people do to end up with non-functioning items. Don't know your experience in the hobby, but any hobby you're in needs some investment in learning how, who, what, or where to go when thing go haywire. Lots of good information (sometimes mis-information) can be gathered here to help you solve your problem(s) or where you might find the answer(s) on how to determine what might be the source of your frustration(s). Process of elimination takes time and sometimes can be a combination of things. Electrical problems with DCC decoders are more common after multiple uses. The factors of heat, size, and vibration can lead to different types of component failures. Don't give up on manufacturers. Take time to learn more in your hobby and find the enjoyment with your world of miniatures. Good luck resolving your decoder problem and feel free to contact me off board for solutions not discovered or discussed in this post. These comments should have probably been posted on another discussion forum or topic in N-scale on where to find solutions to problems you have in the hobby. John
Understood, the thread did morph. No sure if admins prefer to move parts of this. I have Limited experience in this hobby-thanks again for everyone's support.
While not 100% prototypical, the beauty of the hobby is what is enjoyable. SP AC6000 #601. Also picked up a Cotton Belt caboose-need to install the interior kit.
I've ordered another Atlas Western Pacific GP35 coming (this one is DCC equipped in preparation for my hopeful purchase of a DCC system while my layout is small) along with n Atlas Burlington covered hopper and I pre ordered an Atlas Northern Pacific Caboose.
Knew I was gonna pay. More than I wanted, but not as much as I could have! Success though. Got the Micro Trains Solar Eqlipse 2017 boxcar! Ipad took me somewhere else when I bid on the first car. Missed that one, but hit the next one that ended, about 3 hours later! NEVER saw the MT announcement of this car! Had I seen it earlier, I'd have ordered one then!
And when I thought I was finished finding stuff to buy, I found a Micro-Trains red WP Baywindow. That'll give me four!
Not a purchase. But a FREE give away at railroad club meeting tonight! Got an American Flyer 3 rail train set, and track. 2 turnouts and a light tower. Needing some help trying to ID the equipment. Thread in the O Gauge forums.
. Just got this in the mail. An Atlas Western Pacific GP35 #3005. Also got this Atlas Dry-Flo Burlington covered hopper. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a similar model GP35,WP #3007 made in Japan by Kato (I believe for Atlas). A good runner after all these years.
Micro-Trains typically posts to their website the new releases for a given month on the last business day of the preceding month. Also, this car was not included with the automatic shipments of new releases that some dealers get. Apparently they had to contact MT to place a separate order for it - and those who hesitated lost out.
I've seen stated, that dealers that ordered it, were NOT shipped their allotment. I was lucky to get one through ebay. Paid morre than I should have, but....I got one! My purchases have dropped off considerably. Either not interested, don't want/need, or too expensive! No gonna worry about it. too much "stuff" as it is!
Another nugget to the Cotton Belt, 40' Standard Box Car with Plug Door, (funny) this pic reminded me I forgot to weather the trucks on the following rolling stock.
I have an undecorated GP35 coming soon so I can do #3003 that was the only pumpkin Geep. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
. Got some decal sets from Micro-Scale. No, I'm not a WP fan at all! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
