Thanks everyone for the helpful feedback.
Go to the Bachmann web site. There are HO forums, company reps, many users of Bachmann locos. Also, loco diagrams that show the inside of each loco, Parts list. Lots of good info.
The diagrams will show two connectors for steamers. Not for tank switchers. I bought the 0-6-0 Tank and it has metal clips to remove and solder the decoder wires.
The tender DCC ready have a eight pin socket in the tender.
What you get from ebay is anybody's guess.
Bachmann diesels are a guess also.
Bachmann makes many changes to their locos.
The TCS decoder web site show connversions for many Bachmann locos that show DCC ready or not DCC ready.
Google both names and you will see them easily.
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.
I believe all of the "newer" Bachmann engines - USRA Mountain, Russian 2-10-0, high and low drivered 4-6-0s, Climax...pretty much anything originally issued in the last 15-20 years - were all released with lightboards and DCC receptacles from the start of their production. I think it would only be a very old version of an earlier engine, like the N&W J, SP 4449, Pennsy K4, NYC 4-8-4 etc. from the 1980's - mid '90's that would not have that.
I'm looking for some used (e.g., ebay) HO Bachmann (mostly Spectrum) steam locos. While sometimes it's obvious that the item is DCC equipped or DCC ready, other times I'm not sure about this. Could someone please clarify any useful clues about this? Specifically, if the loco has two sets of wires/plugs between engine and tender, am I correct that it will at least be DCC ready (specifically, with isolated motor)?
Also, can any guidance on DCC capability be inferred from the box color and design? For example, I know the early Spectrum K4 in the large box with large graphics, loco image, etc. definitely is not DCC ready. And I'd guess that any later red or blue box version would be DCC ready or DCC equipped. But what about the plain black boxes that (I think) came in between?
Thanks very much for any help.