Need DCC and coupler conversion info for N-scale Spectrum Consolidation

[Anonymous]

Couplers: MicroTrains book only lists the 1133 for the tender. Does anyone have info on converting the pilot?

DCC: I run a Digitrax system and have 2 decoders: a DZ121 and a DZ123. Which would be better to install?

Does anyone have a decoder installation procedure for this N-scale engine?

Thanks!
-John

[AltonFan]

AFAIK, there is no provision for a working coupler on the pilot of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. This is a glaring omission, especially as 2-8-0 often spent their waning days hauling locals or working yards, where front-end coupling is a ncesssity.

I suppose an existing Micro-Trains conversion kit can be modified, or perhaps a Z scale coupler could be installed.

[Wdlgln005]

John, this is a bad time for the Atlas Nscale & DCC forum to be down. I hope they come back the 1st day of August. Normally, they take about a 2 week vacation around the 4th of July, running thru the NMRA convention in July. in the meantime, you might try shooting a question to the BachMann.

I'm fairly sure the DCC decoder must fit in the tender. I doubt if there's any space in the cab of the steamer. THis would also be a good time to be sure you get power from all wheels of the tender & a bunch from the loco wheels too.

Another coupler conversion for the pilot would be to try a Kato or an old Precision Masters/Red Caboose coupler. One of them might look/work better.