DCC for LL GP38-2s?

[Bob Bufkin]

Ed, send it to the Hagerstown shops run by Lee, along with a small decoder.  Sure you'll get a fine running loco back in no time.

[Dave V]

Lee did mine.  Don't remember if it was a DZ125 or TCS M1.

[wm3798]

I can't remember, honestly.  Probably an M-1.  I'll be happy to take a stab at it.
Looks like there's plenty of room under the board in the back to tuck it, then you just have to cut the runs in the PC board to get the power where you need it, and not where you don't.

Lee

[sizemore]

Just saw this, same form factor as the DN163K2, just a little shorter in the front:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Digitrax-DN163L0A-N-Scale-Plug-N-Play-Decoder-p/dig-dn163l0a.htm

Might be worth a shot.
T

[Bob Bufkin]

Don't know if it'll fit a GP38-2 but I could sure use that one in a GP20 I just picked up.  Thanks for that info.

[POVC]

Just saw this, same form factor as the DN163K2, just a little shorter in the front:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Digitrax-DN163L0A-N-Scale-Plug-N-Play-Decoder-p/dig-dn163l0a.htm

Might be worth a shot.
T

Tim beat me to mentioning this decoder...I remember reading that Digitrax had just released it.  If I recall correctly, I think this board is supposed to work in the latest release of the GP60 as well as the GP20, so it would make sense that it might work in the GP38-2 also (of course it probably doesn't, it would make too much sense for Walthers to standardize on one decoder for all GP's).

Tim

[johnh35]

There is no plug and play for the LL GP38-2, but with a little work you can fit a TCS or Digitrax decoder intended for the Atlas GP38. It is as simple as comparing the decoder to the existing slots, and modifying the slots with a dremel cut-off wheel to allow the board to sit in place. A little solder on the pads towards the engine front will help take up some of the excess gap created by the cut-off wheel. Modify the frames by removing a square of material over the top motor brush to allow wires to be soldered to the decoder contact pads and routed to the brushes. The resulting installation is clean and effective and the engine runs like a champ.