I want to install a decoder in my 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain Steamer. It has a board and is DCC ready but, I have no clue as to what I should do. I have heard of QSI being used. What should I do.
Item 85204
4-8-2 Heavy Mountain Norfolk and Western Style w/large tender.
Thanks Guys
Nickyb
NickyB
First, decide if you want sound. Sound will cost you more, and the installation will be more difficult, but that's what I would do. My decoder suggestion would be a Soundtraxx Tsunami.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
A LokSound Select is smaller, has much better sound, and is cheaper than Tsunami. If you purchase it from an on-line dealer such as Litchfield Station or Ulrich Hobby Shop they will program it for you.
I have two of those locos, and I decided not to install sound.
So, i put in an NCE D13SRP in each loco, and they work just great.
No soldering, no wiring, just open the tender and plug it in.
The retail price is $25, but you can easily find the decoder for around $20.
Rich
Alton Junction
The Bachmann Heavy Mountain is a great engine, it is quite heavy and it will pull five HW passenger cars around my layout which has a 2% grade in spots.
I used Digitrax 163P in three of these locomotive, with the exception of one which came with the DCC/Sound decoder.
I even picked up a spare just for parts if necessary. They are hard to find..
Wonder when Bachmann will re-release this engine. The members of the local railroad club were very impressed with it, they did not believe me at first when I told them it was a Bachmann product.
Strange, how so many people still think of Bachmann as junk, it must have been from the old train set days when the items did not last very long.
NICKYB:
This link will show you how to install a TCS non-sound decoder in a Bachmann 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain without sound:
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum_4-8-4_Heavy_Mountain/Bachmman_Spectrum_4-8-4_Heavy_Mountain.html
Kapton tape is a specialized high temperature very tough insulating tape. It is very pricey but a small roll will last you through many installations. It is available from TCS as well.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Supplies/ToolsAndSupplies/Kapton_Tape/KaptonTape.html
You didn't mention whether or not you want sound, but if you are just starting out with decoder installations and you don't want sound, this would be a good one to get your feet wet.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter You didn't mention whether or not you want sound, but if you are just starting out with decoder installations and you don't want sound, this would be a good one to get your feet wet.
Dave,
Did you mean to post a link here for the non-sound decoder?