The Scale Trains website states "DCC and sound equipped locomotives will operate on DC or DCC layouts. Some sound and lighting functions are not operable using DC." "DCC and sound ready locomotives operate using a DC power pack, and are DCC ready with a 21 pin connector." It sounds like the SHS style shunt plug is not needed.
If you have watched Shane's video about correcting their HO engine quality failures, the last 4 minutes of the video is about the MTH HO steam engine status. It is enlightening about how much harder and time consuming setting up just one engine for production has become than what was in their plan. They also talk about tooling that did not come from MTH with the purchase that now has to be designed and created. Plus the tooling that cannot be used because it will not work when DCC is substituted for the DCS system. Designing the electronics to incorporate a smoke unit is also taking time, because this N&W J is the first engine Scale Trains is making with a smoke unit. Steam engines and engines that smoke are a whole new product for them.
Scale trains has said they are looking at the changes needed to the S gauge MTH diesels to put in DCC in place of the DCS electronics. No comments about production plans or timing.
