Bought this 20-2499-2 alco switcher new in 2004. The battery finally bought the farm last fall(obviously I've bought the wrong battery....).
Running it last Christmas, it came to a halt, although still trying to to move. The hood is so snug around the electronics that it had worn s wire in two, to to front motor, from the truck twisting back and forth.
Reattached wire and it's fine in DCS, though the sounds were faint (I also have the alco 20-2840-1, from 2007, had faint sounds too, but using MTH battery charger, charged up batter fine).
This engine's battery wouldn't allow conventional operation, which it what you see in video below. I bought the incorrect battery for this unit but trying it out anyways. Allows for conventional operation, but check out this unusual behavior.
Power is supplied by a ZW-L, FasTrack and switches are command. There's also a base 1 hooked to this layout.
Notice the brief acceleration, then braking, starting about 3" before the switch and ending just after the switch on the one end of layout. Doesn't happen near other switch at other end where coincidentally the power tap is. Happens ever time around.