Everyone likes SD40-2s! Mostly tunnel motors too, very nice! Just picked up a very nice high hood original SD40 last week, I just wish someone did a top of the line model of them and the -2s in plastic.
RM give everything an easy ride and only in recent years seem to be waking up to these new fangled diseaseals but still make the odd mistake. The Rail Express review was very positive as they tend to be vicious when it comes to reviews and have experts do the review. But sure Paddy did such a good job we were expecting nothing but positives!
Just never ask me to wire your layout, or paint anything! I haven't, work has taken over again these past few months, but I might have a lot of free time coming up again soon sadly
Will have to organise something down Laois way over the summer!
100 notes for a simple DCC decoder is a bit silly. Maybe you could simplify things with something like a plug and play decoder, which is the circuit board as well as the chip. http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=61&products_id=1212
DCC Supplies is good for DCC research. They may have something which makes your life a lot easier and help bring the cost down.
Sorry to go off topic again, but the UK version is now out and a little different, it's actually even worse http://www.wnxx.com/content/030513/66504B.htm