John, I look forward to reading more on your project. I too want more traction in my Phantom, it's horrible.
I also put a bunch of lead in the nose (1/2 lb+), that helped some.
It's also a power hungry pig.
It would pop the breaker on my Z-1000 with all the other stuff on the layout idling.
Nothing else ever popped that breaker (barring derailing), even my Imperial Big Boy pulling 58 cars including my PW stuff. (That consist filled my 9 x 33' main loop)
Second problem; It runs fast or not at all. I suspect the AC commander will help this as well. I have been tempted to gut it and use my PS2 upgrade kit on it but I would lose the sounds, don't like that idea.
