UPDATE: after much head scratching, many false starts and waiting for JST connectors from China.
CONTROLLING DECODER WITH LM-2S – Locomotive runs fine as originally configured using PWR-56 (though no control of speed or direction) with or WITHOUT the 2 pin power pickup attached to the decoder in either direction with all lights and sounds functioning properly. With an LM-2S inserted between either power pickup (loco or tender) there were some wiring connections that resulted in shorts and some where nothing happened and no shorts. With two other wire configurations I was able to control only the locomotive speed and direction with the LM-2S, sounds and lights did not function.
Finally, with the wires attached as shown, the locomotive functioned properly as it does on DC powered track with all lights and sounds functioning properly using the LM-2S for feeding power – for about 10 seconds. After a few minutes it will work again for about 10 seconds. When it stops working the Info. message is “Motor Over Peak Current.” The motor works fine with PWR-56 only, but with the LM-2S installed the LM-2S thinks there is a motor problem. I upped the previous MFLC setting on the LM-2S manually from 190 to 400, and it now runs well with all the locomotive sounds and lights. The loco sounds are probably better than Rings, with auto break squealing and reduced chuffing sound when slowing down, among others.
Unfortunately the whistle and bell do not work. The bell and whistle in DC mode are turned on and off by reversing very quickly the directional control so as not to lose power while doing so. Changing the directional control on the HC-2 loses power long enough to stop these functions. Probably will run for a while as is just to get the feel of it and then remove the original decoded and install the LM-2S.
LM-2S INSTALLATION – I do not think that I should have a problem wiring in the LM-2S, or a 3S if one of those is needed to get Heavy Steam sound with one exception: do I need resistors for the three lights? Can anyone tell from looking at the original photo I posted earlier whether resisters are needed or not? There are not any of the typical looking resistors one buys, but there may be something on the decoder that someone more experience than I would recognize as one.
Thanks for any comments.