R/C for Bachman's Thomas Train

[Will Palmer]

Hoping for information about how I can "convert" my grandson's Bachman Thomas train to some kind of R/C control.  Would appreciate any assistance.

Will Palmer

[TonyWalsham]

Here is how I did it:

Converting Thomas

[SW1200Mark]

A friend used an Airewire with batteries (2 X 7.4V 3000) for the RC. 

What I wanted to mention was that he also had a sound system in Clairabel.  He used an old MP3 player hooked to a set of speakers.  He recorded the theme from the Thomas the tank engine show and set it on replay.  It worked great for the 26th annual Garden Railway Convention.  

If you still need more help on the RC I will ask him for helpful hints?

[Rex in Pinetop]

I put an AirWire decoder in Annie along with a 12V $38 sport battery.  The power connection is an R/C servo extension.  The system works fine although on the heavy side.  I do plan to install a small IPOD in Clarabel with a Thomas tune.  Note that the tops come off for easy access to on/off switches and the sound system.

Rex

[Rex in Pinetop]

Here are some Thomas pics:

Coming out of the bridge:

By the helix

[Greg downunder]

Hi Tony - I read your conversion of Thomas with real interest as moving in to large scale from HO Marklin and wanting to go only R/C with battery - I need to learn fast what its all about.

I had this simple idea in my mind that there were batteries - reciever and transmitter - amen! Then I read converting Thomas and was blown away with all the components you list. I had no idea there were all these components to R/C - so would really appreciate a description of what they all are and what they do - if you would please. Also - given the impossibility of parts in Oz or 5 x the cost - a brief description of where you buy these parts would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[TonyWalsham]

Hello Greg.

Forum rules quite rightly prevent me from listing the costs.
If you would care to contact me off line I will be glad to help you out.
All of the parts needed can be  bought here in Australia.

[DHB]

Hi Tony, I`m in the same position as Greg. I run a live steam Roundhouse Atlantic, on RC. I`ve just bought a G scale Bachmann Thomas (for my grandsons). I`ve seen your artcle in "Large Scale Central". the Pics. were great and VERY INSTRUCTIVE. I would like to buy all the equipment including the transmitter that You installed. Where do I go?. I`m in the uk. And would be very grateful for your advice and info. Kind regards David B,

[TonyWalsham]

What you actually need to convert Thomas to battery R/C depends on what you want to do.
There are many options. EG:
1).  Do you want to add front and rear lights?
2).  Do you want to add sound?
3).  Do you want Thomas to have a faster top speed than the way I did it with 9.2 volt batteries?

No matter what brand of R/C control you choose, you will also need a method of charging the batteries on board and that depends on what sort of batteries you choose.  Plus an ON - OFF switch, fuse, wiring and jack for charging.

If you could live with having everything in the trail car, installation is greatly simplified.  For a start the batteries can be easily removed from a trail car for charging.

Brandbright in the UK will be able to help you out with most of what you need.
Or; I can supply everything from Australia except the batteries.  The weight makes them heavy to ship by air.
One change I would make on my next installation is to place the battery pack(s) more central.  I had to add weight to the front of the loco to balance it on that last installation.
I would also move the RX and ESC to the coal bunker which would free up more space in the boiler for batteries.

[Steam on the Bel Del]

While I haven't opened any of my Bachman trains may I suggest Aristocraft Revolution? it may be plug and play.

[TonyWalsham]

Thomas is definitely  not Plug and Play.

Rewiring is quite straightforward with just two wires from the track pickups to the motor.

[piercedan]

Actually Thomas, James, and Percy all have the track power going to a switch at the rear of the engine for reversing motor polarity to conform to a dual standard.  G VS NMRA for the other scales.

This makes track powered rewiring very simple, but it is not plug and play.

[TonyWalsham]

Not as far as I could see with the Thomas locos I have had through here.

There must be new runs available.