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Bachmann HO Doodlebug DCC question.

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  • Member since
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  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
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Bachmann HO Doodlebug DCC question.
Posted by rockislandnut on Friday, November 4, 2011 5:50 PM

I'd like to purchase a Bachmann HO Doodlebug with trailer. The adds say it is DCC equipped ( OH Heavens no, is it MRC? ) Can you install a sound decoder ( mobile ) in its place? If so what kind? Also the Doodlebug is gasoline powered. Any sounds out for gasoline engines, or could I just wing it for diesel?

Doodlebug link......http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1876

Thanks.

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Friday, November 4, 2011 7:07 PM

It makes it a lot easier if a clickable link is provided.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1876

LocSound and SoundtRaxx make a sound decoder that pretty much simulates a  Winton distillate engine. Some I think use a EMD decoder. Some say they ran on gasoline, diesel and distillate fuel.They were pretty much rough sounding.

http://www.sdrm.org/history/timeline/distilat.html

Do a You Tube search and you will find some Bachmann Doodlebugs with sound decoders. Wait to you try to take the shell off.

Rich

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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
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Posted by rockislandnut on Friday, November 4, 2011 7:24 PM

richg1998

It makes it a lot easier if a clickable link is provided.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=1876

LocSound and SoundtRaxx make a sound decoder that pretty much simulates a  Winton distillate engine. Some I think use a EMD decoder. Some say they ran on gasoline, diesel and distillate fuel.They were pretty much rough sounding.

http://www.sdrm.org/history/timeline/distilat.html

Do a You Tube search and you will find some Bachmann Doodlebugs with sound decoders. Wait to you try to take the shell off.

Rich

 

I thought I did make it click-able. Embarrassed

OH no a tough to take off shell. Guess I've been warned.

Thanks Rich, I'll check on the sound decoders.

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
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  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
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Posted by rockislandnut on Friday, November 4, 2011 8:38 PM

Hows this "Tsunami Galloping Goose" decoder sound for a Doodlebug? Sounds like the engine could need some work to me which is what I want in the ole Bug.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/dsd/tsunami/showwistle.php?s=goose5

 

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Saturday, November 5, 2011 7:47 AM

Bachmann uses a watered-down Lenz decoder for their "DCC On-Board" models, so a non-sound unit will have that.

Personally, I would get the Tsunami equipped model instead of trying to add my own.  Years ago, I put a decoder into the original Bachmann doodlebug, and IIRC getting it opened up to install the decoder was not an easy task.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 5, 2011 11:50 AM

PULLING THE SHELL.

http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=20.html

A Caveat. It may not apply to yours.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~mrwithdcc/doodleb.html

Everyone, store the links in Favorites even if you do not have this loco to help others.

Many here forget we are now part of a huge MRR Community and we can help others if we keep the links.

If you are part of any MRR forums, you are no longer a "Lone Wolf".

If you get a digital camera, you can now post pictures and videos that will help a lot.

Rich

 

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.

  • Member since
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  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
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Posted by rockislandnut on Saturday, November 5, 2011 5:17 PM

@cacole

Yes they use what they call "E-Z Command", whether it's a dumbed down Lenz or not I'm not sure. I'm not even thinking about using that decoder.

Did not know Bachmann installed "Tsunami" sound decoders in their newest Doodlebug with trailer. Are you sure of that as googling has not found it.

Doesn't matter anyway if it's just their "E-Z Command" decoder as I plan on purchasing the Soundtraxx TSU-1000 Galloping Goose #5 decoder #827110 anyway.

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
  • 283 posts
Posted by rockislandnut on Saturday, November 5, 2011 5:28 PM

Yes Rich I store a lot of things in "My Favorites" but there is no way I'm going to store every engine or all the model railroad stuff just so I can possibly have the info for others. If I did that then I'd have to do it for other forums that have nothing to do with model railroading.

I've been here at MRR for quite some time, didn't think I was a lone wolf.

I have a digital camera and have posted pic's here and there. Next time before posting things like that maybe you should go back a few pages ( maybe many pages ) and see.

Just not sure where you are coming from, but I do thank you for the links.Yes

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
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  • From: Western, MA
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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 5, 2011 5:33 PM

I was just at the Bachmann site and no sound equipped Doodlebug.

All they have are the DCC on board which is the low end Lenz.

Bachmann is going to be selling "value" sound equipped motive power. They posted a NMRA link from a show a few months ago about the new sound locos to be released soon.

They are going to sell "value" sound for steamers and sound equipped steamers. This will muddy the waters a little about Bachmann sound options.

Some here need to take time to review the Bachmann site periodically.

Rich

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.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, November 5, 2011 5:37 PM

rockislandnut

Yes Rich I store a lot of things in "My Favorites" but there is no way I'm going to store every engine or all the model railroad stuff just so I can possibly have the info for others. If I did that then I'd have to do it for other forums that have nothing to do with model railroading.

I've been here at MRR for quite some time, didn't think I was a lone wolf.

I have a digital camera and have posted pic's here and there. Next time before posting things like that maybe you should go back a few pages ( maybe many pages ) and see.

Just not sure where you are coming from, but I do thank you for the links.Yes

Some of the statements are for others as they apply.

I have seen the comments in the past.

I have maybe 400 MRR links which are in appropriate folders for simplicity. Not a big deal and it makes the hobby a lot more pleasurable.

Rich


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.

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    September 2002
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Posted by RMax1 on Sunday, November 6, 2011 9:27 AM

I'm curious about getting just the trailer.  I have an older doddle bug that I put a TCS decoder in.  I bought a heavyweight coach to go along with it and they are lighted but no good for dcc.  I have not been able to get the shell off the coach!  The doddle bug was no problem.  I would buy just the coach if it was setup for dcc.

 

RMax

  • Member since
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  • From: Morris, Illinois USA
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Posted by rockislandnut on Sunday, November 6, 2011 2:39 PM

RMax, the Bachmann Doodlebugs trailer ( 72' heavy weight ) is set up with LED constant lighting ( Analog and DCC operation ). Don't think you can purchase the trailer alone.

Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.

  • Member since
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  • From: Sonoma CA
  • 77 posts
Posted by gatefive on Monday, November 7, 2011 5:27 PM

I agree with most comments about replacing the onboard decoder that came with the Doodlebug. I reviewed this two car combo in Model Railroad News about two years ago. Take a look and see what you think. The loco is slightly updated from their earlier release but nothing too significant.

Dick Foster

Sonoma CA

Gate 5

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Posted by RMax1 on Monday, November 7, 2011 5:54 PM

Thanks RINut,

I guess I a just going to have to get a can opener the heavyweight I have.  The spectrum heavyweights are a pain to get apart.

 

RMax

  • Member since
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  • From: high desert so cal
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Posted by BIG JERR on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 10:18 AM

could you just put a resistor in line @ the pickups near trucks ,thus no need to open car ? ..Im just guessing here as I dont have one

  • Member since
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Posted by RMax1 on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 4:08 PM

That is something to think about .  Getting the shell of Bachmann heavyweights is a beast of a task.

 

RMax

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