Señor plow test fitted

I recently built a trio of lightweight CN GP9.  One notable (at least to me) missing item was the plow between the footboards on the CN GP9 fleet.  As the models come from Athearn and Proto 2000 they lack this feature, although Athearn has apparently remedied this on later models.  

It came to my attention today that there is an issue with installing the Decoder Buddy V5s with decoders that have less than 12 function outputs.  The output pads with the higher numbers will not light LEDs and may damage the decoder if they are used.  

->  If you have a 4 function decoder use pads A0F, A0R, A1 and A2. 

->  If you have a 6 function decoder use pads  A0F, A0R, A1, A2, A3 and A4.  

->  If you have a 8 function decoder use pads A0F, A0R, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6.  

One of the most anticipated release of a locomotive for me was the RAPIDO M420 as delivered to CN. I don’t think I ever saw a 2500 series only 3500s when the got sold of by CN and started showing up on short lines. I don’t model CN and wasn’t going to wait and see if the 3500s get released. So I bought one to run on the layout. I had built a resin kit quite a number of years ago as HBRY 3548 and it still runs well.  Maybe time to put them in a consist. Thumbs up to RAPIDO .

This is making me crazy... well maybe crazier

I have a new Athearn Genesis GP7u (ATSF 2098). I want to set it up to work with my ProtoThrottle. on my Digitrax DCC system. I have other locos that are working fine with the PT (LokSound v4 and Tsunami decoders).