Is the Micro-Trains FT able to be converted to DCC with a drop in decoder, or does it require wiring?
Yes.......I prefer the MT FT's over the Intermountain because they are much easier to convert. You need a Digitrax DN163M0. To mount, you just stick the motor tabs down inside the plastic motor frame and then slide the board.....the board only has tabs on one end, so no disassembly of the chassis is required......takes about 3 minutes including getting the shell off and on.
Just be careful if you're converting FT-B units. My FT-A's all went together no problem but the window glass in the FT-B's was much thicker thus preventing the decoder board from fitting in. I had to gently file the inner surface of the FT-B window glass to allow enough room for the board to pass.
It's absolutely ridiculously easy to hard wire in a Z scale decoder. The TCS Z2 decoder works great in them. http://n-scale-dcc.blogspot.com/search/label/Loco: Micro Trains FT?m=0
308GTSi.......what decoder were you using? Just curious because I didn't have the same problem you did with the windows. But as I remember, I had to cut the LED off the decoder in the B unit.
The decoders are DN163MO's , I have 2 x A's and 2 x B's , it wasn't the decoders as I switched them around and measured them. The clear plastic for the windows in the B units was much thicker. I had to file off about 0.012" from each side (inside). I could have got away with taking off 0.008" to make a slide over fit but as I was getting the windows close to clearing the decoders it occurred to me a real tight fit could mean the body shell might be able to be forced on but prevent it from ever coming off again.
Interesting......same decoder and same locos. Wonder if they changed the glass at some point, or used different glass in different roads. I did 3 A's and 3 B's and had no issues. Mine were Milwaukee Road. Probably good to add a little extra clearence, especially since the decoders only attach to the chassis at one point.
Yeah it was odd , they are all USA state series FT's , all purchased new from the same store in one purchase. I've had an ordinary start into DCC with odd things like this happening. Anyway , the world didn't end , I didn't cry , I just had to do a little work and it all went together.