Since Lionel is choosing not to produce the R2LC or R4LC boards anymore, to support the large existing customer base, it would be great if they made the design files available so that at least us common-folks could debug & fix them more intelligently, vs having to reverse engineer them. Or, at least release a document that shows step-by-step how to convert an engine with a R2LC/R4LC over to the newer RCMC.
For desoldering, I've had very good luck with the Hakko FR-301. It's on the pricey side, so probably not worth it if you are doing rework only once in a blue moon. However, I replace chips quite often and it's my go-to device for pin-through-hole components. For surface mount chips with many leads, I use SRA Fast Chip. You flow some of it on top of the existing solder joints and it changes the chemistry of the solder to lower the melting point. I've been able to pull 208-pin PQFP devices with it. The only catch is all the solder remnants must be cleaned up so that the final solder joint is not weaker.
