The new CN decoder by TCS looks like it has a lot of potential. I have 3 RS series locomotives that I was dreading putting in a regular DZ-125. This looks much easier and with no milling will not take away any weight. I am also going to rip my LL SW 12 apart because I bet that this will fit with only minor milling of the frame on the front headlight area. Classic N
I bought two of these and installed them in Atlas GP-9's. Love it. I did have to modify the headlight/numberboards by filing a notch in the the plastic to accomodate the slightly longer board. Took all of 5 minutes to do so. Other wise very straight foward. You still have to hardwire to the motor, but I installed mine in about a half-an-hour each...if that. As to operations...the Back EMF is very sweet for switching! TCS has also come out with the ASD-4 for deocoder-READY GP-30 and GP-35's. The AMD-4 is to be coming soon for GP-40's and GP-38's...and others. This will replace the AMD-1 as all the TCS decoders are now coming out with Back EMF. I spoke to John at TCS yesterday and he said they will be coming out with some variations on the CN decoder so they will fit other locos without any mods. I don't think I'll be buying any other kind of decoder it possible. These things really make the locos run great. Greg
Very nice new product, I have ordered one for a Kato C30-7 that I have bashed & painted to a SPSF BNSF patched unit. I hoped someone would no a split decoder or kato would release a new Mech.
About 10 or 12 years ago a friend and I looked at the mechanisms in our diesels and wondered why no one made a decoder like this, finally we have one. I've got 4 on order to try out, I've got heaps of older Kato, Atlas and LL diesels I haven't run for years because newer ones were easier to install decoders. These could have more possibilities than any decoder released so far.
I saw these at the Springfield show. TCS will make a killing on them. Think about the thousands of Atlas Classics out there!
I will be buying some of these, I think. I have some engines that can use these now, and I will have some more soon.
Impressive! Why didn't I think of that? Simple and elegant, and looks easy. Sniff, sniff There's a hole in my wallet already! I'll put it out with my drool.
I'll order a few of these once I've got the new job sorted. Wonder if a 4 function decoder is possible with this arrangement, that would be brilliant.
ooh! neat! Wasn't paying attention at first, didn't see the link. I'd be interested to know if these can work in: -Original Kato SD40/45. -Kato C30-7 (let us know BNSF16) -LL GP60
Kato SD40/45 - YES! Kato C30-7 - YES! LL GP60 - I don't think so - it's a full length board. There is a possibility that a modified N12A0/DN163A0/AMD1 et al may be made to work.
Gary, the original release GP60 uses split lightboards, so I would expect it to be yes for the CN decoder. see the picture in here (TCS old install guide for the GP60) http://www.tcsdcc.com/pdf/N_LL_GP60_nonDCC_ready_M1.pdf
Ah, I thought there may have been a catch there - I don't have any. Thanks for pointing it out. Add the GP60 to the fray. Best make that modded drop-in for the LL GP38.
Is there more information on this on their website? I saw something at the Amherst show where someone posted a picture of the TCS decoder. Thanks.
