Bachmann EMD GP40 DCC Ready

[TJohnson]

I wanted to see if anyone had decoder recommendations for this locomotive.  I wanted to add DCC and haven't been able to find any information about recommended decoders.

[richg1998]

Designed for Bachmann locos sometime ago. The onboard got so many complaints. Comes with instructions. Remove caps if they do not say anything. I removed caps from my Bachmann locos.

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200945019-BACH-DSL

RIch

[richg1998]

If your loco has an eight pin socket, get a small digitrax DZ126PS decoder. It comes with a plug. TCS has a better small plug on decoder. Check their site.

Rich

[BigDaddy]

Here is a Wow sound installation in a Sound Value model.  It doesn't look like there is any space for a speaker except in the fuel tank.

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1213

[PennCentral99]

Depends on what you're looking for. Motor control? Sound? Both? 4 function? 6 function? There's so many variations, you're probably not going to find very many after-market recommendations.

I took a 30 year old Bachmann GP40 and added a Soundtraxx Tsunami and a speaker, probably one of my best running and sounding locos.

Terry

[richg1998]

I saw that also.. Speaker in the oil tank. Put a layer of gauze between speaker and holes to prevent picking up metal particles from the roadbed by speaker magnent. It has happened.

If interested, lots of data on loco at the Bachmann site. Parts and mechanical diagram.

Rich

[richg1998]

Soundtraxx has a decoder selection site also for Bachmann. I have used SoundTraxx some years ago.

Rich

[jjdamnit]

Hello All,

I would steer clear of the Bachmann decoders. They are extremely limited in their CV functions.

The Digitrax decoders are a great choice if you are looking for a 9-pin NMRA compliant decoder.

If you are willing to replace the PC board and solder in a decoder I would recommend the TCS KAM4 LED.

This decoder offers LED compatibility and a keep-alive function along with 4-functions.

Hope this helps.