Recommendation Needed: Non-Sound DCC Decoder for WalthersProto SW9 (920-48503)

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to convert my WalthersProto EMD SW9 – GTW #7013 (SKU 920-48503) from DC to non-sound DCC. This model is DCC-ready and appears to use a Next18 (NEM662) plug on the factory board.

I’m hoping to get recommendations from anyone who has installed a non-sound decoder in this specific SW9, or in others from the same production run.

What I need help with:
• Which non-sound decoder works best with the Next18 socket in this model?
• Any fit issues or things to watch out for during installation?
• Do the factory lights behave normally with a standard Next18 decoder?
• Any general tips or “gotchas” with this particular WalthersProto SW9?

I’d really appreciate hearing what others have successfully used in this locomotive and how well it performs.

Thanks in advance!

2

I do not have the Walthers Proto SW9 locomotive, but I have often relied on TCS installation techniques to install non-sound decoders.

Here is a link to the TCS M1 decoder on a Walthers Proto SW9.

As you can see, the installer removed the original light board and soldered the M1 decoder to the 8 PIN markings on the board.

Hope this helps.

Rich

3

Thank you very much for the response. I will check this out.