Hi - I was wondering if anyone has put a DCC decoder in a Bachmann 4-6-0 Baldwin 52" locomotive (Item #52201 - link below). After some research on the Bachmann website it appears I found a speaker that will fit under the board that it is in the tender. I purchased a LokSound 5 (8-pin) DCC decoder assuming - I'm new at this and this is my first time trying to install a decoder - it would fit in the tender, but, for the life of me I can't get it to fit. So, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this particular Bachmann locomotive or knew of a small, good quality, DCC decoder with sound capability that would fit in the tender.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions/guidance.
NEW YORK CENTRAL #1238 - BALDWIN 4-6-0 (HO SCALE)
While I don't have the Bachmann 4-6-0, I do have three of the Bachmann 2-6-0 Moguls. The pair of locos most recently purchased were DCC "Ready" so I had to install my own decoders. Although the Bachmann PC board inside the tender was equipped with DCC plugs, the high mounting of the board (intended to clear a tall speaker?) meant there was no room to add a decoder. Thus, I had to remove the Bachmann PC boards from each tender and hard wire the new decoders. Bachmann does not follow the NMRA DCC wire color code (all wires between the loco and tender are black) so you first need to identify and label each wire before removing it from the PC board. Fortunately, Bachmann did label each solder pad on the board so this is not an impossible task. With the Bachmann PC board removed, there should be sufficient room for almost any decoder to be installed. Good luck!
Hornblower
I own one of these. About 10 years ago, I installed a cheapo MRC sound decoder with a huge speaker. It fit because mine came with a longer tender. You can find tenders on the Bachmann online parts store.
Simon
PS: The decoder still works fine for those who wonder
snjroyI installed a cheapo MRC sound decoder with a huge speaker. It fit because mine came with a longer tender.
I just looked at some pictures of the 4-6-0 with a longer tender. What a nifty looking combination.
I have been lazily looking for a 4-6-0 I like on and off again.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
snjroy I own one of these. About 10 years ago, I installed a cheapo MRC sound decoder with a huge speaker. It fit because mine came with a longer tender. You can find tenders on the Bachmann online parts store. Simon PS: The decoder still works fine for those who wonder
10 years ago? The brand new 4-6-0 i s different beast, near as I can tell. I have an older one coming soon and will open it up for pictures.
dennis461 snjroy I own one of these. About 10 years ago, I installed a cheapo MRC sound decoder with a huge speaker. It fit because mine came with a longer tender. You can find tenders on the Bachmann online parts store. Simon PS: The decoder still works fine for those who wonder 10 years ago? The brand new 4-6-0 i s different beast, near as I can tell. I have an older one coming soon and will open it up for pictures.
It is possible to get sound decoders in the 4-6-0 with 52" drivers (I have installed sound in two of them).
In earlier runs, the 4-6-0 had two driver sizes - the 63" and the 52". The 63" driver size came with a big tender that was a fairly easy install sound decoders. The 52" driver loco comes with the smaller tender that has less space for the install.
I used tsunamis with keep alives - I gutted the original board and weights to make room for everything. The small tender is a tight fit but doable.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
If you can't get the small form factor 8 pin ESU decoder in there on the factory board (reading between the lines that you have the micro, yes?), and are not opposed to getting another decoder, check out TCS's website. On their website they have a photo guide to install their set-up using a different board and their large footprint 21 pin decoder. Everything fits. I believe links are provided to purchase what they are showing you.
Mike