I'm slowly making progress towards converting my roster of 7 locomotives over to DCC. I ran into a problem on my Bachmann Spectrum Dash 8-40C, however. There are hardly any wires at all, it appears to me as if Bachmann ran current through the frame on this model. See for yourself.
Sorry for the picture quality. Taken with my phone in low light.
My question: Is there any way I can convert this guy to DCC? (Not interested in sound) I don't really see a way around this. Your thoughts?
Thanks! Acela
The timbers beneath the rails are not the only ties that bind on the railroad. --Robert S. McGonigal
One of the easiest split frame locos to put a decoder in.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum_Dash_8-40CW/Spectrum%20Dash%208-40CW.html
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Beat me to it. Also I believe that install is the work of someone who happens to post here
(no not me, too modern a loco for my tastes)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy and Pete are correct, this is an easy install. There is a whole generation of Bachmann split frame locos that run wonderfully under DCC because they are so heavy and pull anything. You just have to create your own wires! You are just applying the fundamentals of DCC by isolating the motor and soldering improved conduction paths for the track pickup. The hardest part is making sure you don't drop and lose any of the spacers when you are taking apart and reassembling the frame.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I have one of these older Bachmann's (except in the U30B) without the split frame. One of the questions I have is on the "arches" from the pick-ups that rub/contact on the underside of the frame.
Yep, this is going to be an easy convert, but I would have clipped/removed the arches and just run wires from the wiper pick-ups. Apparently from your info, these would not have to be removed or isolated??
Inspired by Addiction
See more on my YouTube Channel
You can remove them if you like. There is no reason to keep them after running wires to the trucks.
That's great news! Hopefully I won't lose any of the insulators!
Thanks,
Acela
I cut these off mysefl now. I left them on for the install that TCS published.