Bachmann diesel decoders like this have had a bad rep, so bad NCE designed one some years ago.
Look for NCE bach-dsl decoder. THe manual is online also.
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.
On this Bachmann Spectrum SD45 the shell comes off by removing the coupler covers and then there are four tabs with slots on the shell and four slots with small "buttons" in the slots on the side of the slot toward the middle. This means squeezing the shell is the wrong way to disengauge the tabs.
Also of interest is that this engine has a Bachmann Digital decoder listed for $50, what I paid for the entire engine. Since I've never seen a Bachmann decoder before I wonder if some one else (Digitrax, NCE, etc) makes thier decoders for them?
Capt. Brigg FranklinUSCG Licensed Marine OfficerCertified crazy train chaserCEO: Pacific Cascade Railway
Hello all,
Most newer Bachmanns require you to pry off the fuel tank cover.
There you'll find four screws that hold the body onto the frame.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
The TCS site shows a DCC ready decoder install. Unfortunately the description skips the details of how to get the shell removed, but the photos may help. Looks like there are four tabs (that may require a helping push with a screwdriver from below, while pulling the shell upward from the chassis and platform) that extend into slots in the frame. Tht's the way some of the Kato shells are removed, which looks like a similar arrangement. On the Katos, once the shell starts coming upward you can see the movement and things start coming apart more easily. If you then use a screwdrive to pry the shell to platform gap, be sure not to damage the platform surface.
But I don't know about screws, but the link above says the coupler screws go upward into the shell. If other screws are a factor, unlikely any of concern are under the fuel tank as those on most locos are motor screws (that you don't want to remove). But I'm quite unsure as I don't have any Bachmann diesels.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum_SD45/bachman_spectrum_sd45.htm
Not sure if your "parts sheet" is the following exploded diagram but it may help another forum member describe the approach.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H827X_IS002-DCC.PDF
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Thanks Rich for the link. I'll learn tomorrow if the information helps.
Don't know of any company who gives directions for shell removal. All parrt of model railroading.
Below is a link from the Bachmann forums.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,23086.0.html
I recently acquired a Bachmann Spectrum SD45 in new condition and need to find out how to remove the shell to inspect the DCC decoder. I have the parts sheet but no directions for disassembling the unit. Any help in finding instructions will be greatly appreciated.
Capt. Brigg CEO Pacific Cascade Railway in HO gauge
www.pacificcascaderailway.com