Hello, I purchased a N Scale Bachmann Spectrum BALTIMORE & OHIO (B&O) 2-8-0 Consolidation #81154 Locomotive. It's a DC locomotive, can this be converted to DCC with Sound? If so, what would I need to complete the conversion?
It's doable. Doesn't look exactly simple, and definitely requires soldering:
| Train Control Systems (tcsdcc.com)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Don,
Is this a new locomotive? Does it say on the box that it's DCC-ready?
If so, converting your N-scale 2-8-0 to DCC shouldn't be a problem, as there is probably an 8-pin NMRA socket already in the tender. Adding sound, however, could pose to be a challenge depending how much room there is in the tender for the decoder AND a speaker.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage Is this a new locomotive? Does it say on the box that it's DCC-ready?
Rich
Alton Junction
That would match the TCS install guide I linked, rather than link the motor to the fram halves like used to be done, the motor has 2 wires which connect to the frame halves via a connector at the top of the chassis. And they nicely left a notch cut out of the weight which fits a small decoder. Straightforward, just a little fiddly given the size of everything. On my screen, the size of the model appears closer to HO scale without zooming the photos. When I picture it half that size, it just reinforces my thought that N scale is not for me - much as I wish it were, because I can only imagine the empire I'd have in the same space as my basement but using N scale instead of HO - wouldn't even need a second deck!
I could not find a product #81154 . But if the box said DCC ready there should be no problem installing a DCC decoder (non-sound) remove tender shell and you will find a place to solder a decoder wires to the light board NO 8 PIN SOCKET. Though. You cut off part of the light board and solder in a DCC decoder- no need to touch the loco.
This will work. Thanks. Doesn't look like the tender will come apart, that's a bummer.
Quick Google lookup for Bachmann 81154 turns up some eBay sales for the model, as well as pictures. It's the one in the TCS install I linked. No need to take the tender apart, it's all self-contained in the loco itself.
I don't use Google- so I guess I don't have the correct information.
I've done this conversion but with a Digitrax decoder and it isn't really hard if you are careful.
You do need to be able to solder and note that this isn't a sound decoder as requested. For sound it would be a difficult conversion in my mind as the speaker would have to go in the tender and I'm not sure if there is enough room in the engine shell for a sound decoder. You may have to put it in the tender.
Good luck.
woodone I don't use Google- so I guess I don't have the correct information.
Actually typing Bachmann 81154 in DuckDuckGo also finds it. Depending on which browser I use, I have one set to DuckDuckGo and the other uses Google.
You need to go back and read the OP. OP asked if the locomotive could be converted to DCC with sound. You are going to be far stretched to in stall a sound decoder into the loco- you need to get into the tender. Yes it comes apart- I also asked if the loco box said DCC ready. No reply on that question- if the loco was DCC ready the decoder in the tender is the way to go. If not, he is in for some real work. I don't have 5K posts but do have about 3K of decoder installs under my belt.
Depends on what you consider DCC ready. The Bachmann item number points you tot he correct loco - it does not have any sort of decoder socket already in the loco, the entire electical system is located within the loco, the tender just goes along for the ride, it doesn't even appear to do any electrical pickup. Hoever, the motor IS isolated and convenitnmetly terminated on two conenctors as shown in the TCS install guide.
You could runt he wires back to the tender via a small conenctor of some sort, but would probably have to route out channels for them in the weight to allow the wires to get to the cab area and still allow the boiler shell to fit back on. Still a tight fit to get a sound decoder AND speaker in the tender. Non-sound, don't even have to involve the tender.
I'm not sure why there is such speculation on the loco itself. The OP provided the Bachmann item number. It is the older, non-DCC OnBoard, Non-sound Spectrum 2-8-0, the insides of which are shown on the TCS site. I looked for an exploded diagram on Bachmann's site but they didn't seem to list that exact loco under the exploded view listings for N scale. They have one for versions with DCC OnBoard and ones with sound. The insides of those locos are different, and the decoders are in the tenders.
OP stated sound was wanted. I have done non-sound by putting a decoder into the loco. I have also installed a speaker and a sound decoder into the non-DCC version tender-
I am done on this.
Good bye!
Mike.
My You Tube
Letrs face it, most HO and may N scale can be converted, alot depends on skill level.
BuckeyeDon This will work. Thanks. Doesn't look like the tender will come apart, that's a bummer.
The DCC version should give some hint on how to get this accomplished. It's wired completely different, but the loco appears to have the same space behind the headlight that the OP's version has. Notice the DCC version has a 6 pin connector to the loco, as well as pickups in the tender.
The Bachmann site shows the loco very clear. Search for Bachmann forums.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Not to be Debbie Downer here, but wouldn't it make sense to find one of the more DCC-ready versions of this locomotive, and peddle the primitive version someplace like the 'Bay?
By the time he gets done researching, getting equipment and supplies, perhaps learning skills, and perhaps correcting mistakes, he may have spent a lot of time and trouble computerizing a sow's ear...