American Models S-12

DCC

Installing a DCC decoder

Trucks

American Models used the trucks of their road switchers on the Baldwin S-12. This makes their trucks have a wheelbase of 9'4", while the prototype used trucks with a wheelbase of 8'0". A lot of modelers will not notice the difference, but if you are interested in going through the process of upgrading these trucks, Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, recommends using the NorthWest ShortLine Stanton trucks with 40" code 110 wheels and his AAR Type A sideframes kit (part #64-TK-10SF-SLA). Note that Jim's kit comes with the parts for two trucks. Also note that NWSL makes both a powered Stanton truck and an non-powered one. If you don't think you need to have two powered trucks, you could save a bit of money and buy one non-powered one. The Stanton truck solution will make it possible to remove all of the motor and gearing that comes with the American Models engine, thus freeing up the interior for such possibilities as a full DCC sound-decoder set-up and/or battery power.

Draft Gear