Hello and first of all thanks to all of you for your help in getting me further than I have ever been before.
I never thought I would go dcc but here I am working on my 3rd engine. My Bachmann HO scale 0-6-0 with slope tender and smokes. My research into the russian deco pod leaves me loving this smaller engine that can hang tire on my 18" radius curves in the yard. However, it is not dcc. I can purchase another with dcc for about 60 bugs or perhaps have it installed for about 30, but I am not close to the train store nor do I have enough knowledge to attempt this myself. My question is this. Since I cannot find a Bachmann 0-6-0 w/dcc and sound on Ebay or anywhere else on the net, does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
davidmbedard If you want sound from a 0-6-0, then get a Proto unit. David B
If you want sound from a 0-6-0, then get a Proto unit.
David B
Okay. Whats that? Is that a brand name of a decoder?
No, David is referring to Walthers Proto 2000 locomotives. They make an 0-6-0 and 0-8-0 in their Heritage Series - with and w/o sound.
I have a 2nd run 0-8-0 that is a real beaut. It will get MUCH better low speed response than the Bachmann "Standard" line switcher. (My Proto 0-8-0 will do under 1 sMPH on speed step 001.)
I was able to find a DC non-sound version for $90 ($250 MSRP). However, I nabbed it 2 or 3 years ago when the market was saturated with them. Train shows and eBay are your best bet.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Proto 0-6-0's are in ready supply everywhere, great runners too!
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/920-60302
http://www.micromark.com/Walthers-Proto-2000-HO-Scale-USRA-0-6-0-Steam-Locomotive-with-Sound-Nickel-Plate-No-384,9983.html
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Chitty Chitty ... does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
... does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
You will have to locate the speaker {at least} in the tender if you can find a 0-6-0 sound decoder. A lot of sound steamers have the speaker in the tender.
that's all it means.
If a HO scale Decoder with sound won't fit, then got to an N scale one, though the sound may not be exactly what you are looking for.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Chitty Chitty My question is this. Since I cannot find a Bachmann 0-6-0 w/dcc and sound on Ebay or anywhere else on the net, does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
My question is this. Since I cannot find a Bachmann 0-6-0 w/dcc and sound on Ebay or anywhere else on the net, does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
It means first of all that you'll have to decide whether it's worth it to put a $100 sound decoder in a $20 engine. As noted, the Bachmann 0-6-0 is from their pre-Spectrum "toy train grade" line.
If you're fairly new to DCC (or model railroading in general) you might not want to tackle installing the sound decoder yourself right now, but at some point you probably will want to learn to do it yourself. On some engines, installation is as simple as pulling out a dummy plug and plugging in a decoder. On some, you may need to replace a light board with a decoder shaped like the lightboard, which may require you to solder a few wires. In some, you may need to do a "hardwire" installation where you solder wires from the decoder to the appropriate wires in the engine and tender. There are several books available to show you how to do it.
Keep in mind you can always put a "regular" decoder in an engine and later either replace it with a sound one or add a sound-only decoder to the engine.
ok
davidmbedard galaxy: Chitty Chitty: ... does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy? You will have to locate the speaker {at least} in the tender if you can find a 0-6-0 sound decoder. A lot of sound steamers have the speaker in the tender. that's all it means. If a HO scale Decoder with sound won't fit, then got to an N scale one, though the sound may not be exactly what you are looking for. Like I suggested, dont throw good money at a bad unit. This Bachmann is dated and a poor quality loco. The pickup scheme is bad and throwing a sound decoder will make this a terrible experience. Money is better spent finding a second hand Proto 0-6-0 with or without sound (the factory used QSI sound). If you get without sound, then you can choose a sound decoder. QSI or Tsunami are great choices for this loco. David B
galaxy: Chitty Chitty: ... does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy? You will have to locate the speaker {at least} in the tender if you can find a 0-6-0 sound decoder. A lot of sound steamers have the speaker in the tender. that's all it means. If a HO scale Decoder with sound won't fit, then got to an N scale one, though the sound may not be exactly what you are looking for.
Chitty Chitty: ... does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy?
Like I suggested, dont throw good money at a bad unit. This Bachmann is dated and a poor quality loco. The pickup scheme is bad and throwing a sound decoder will make this a terrible experience.
Money is better spent finding a second hand Proto 0-6-0 with or without sound (the factory used QSI sound). If you get without sound, then you can choose a sound decoder. QSI or Tsunami are great choices for this loco.
It sounds to me like his 0-6-0 is a beloved loco in his roundhouse. He said "does this mean I will never be able to experience sound coming from this little guy? ", which sounds beloved to me. SO that is why i suggested what i did. Some guys want to keep all their beloved locos, especially if it was a gift, regardless of cost.
He can ALSO buy a new one DCC equiped, though not with sound and without smoke:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=160U060&ID=200856434
or one with smoke but still no sound by advanced Reservation:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=160U060&ID=200855180