I recently bought a Bachmann EM-1 on eBay. It didn't come with the sound module. I just found out that soundtraxx doesn't make the sound module anymore. What if any other sound module will work on this engine?
Hi,
I bought a pair of the EM-1s when they were first released, way back in, was it 2011? Then I installed the Tsunami sound board into the 21 pin socket. I've been running them that way, even with the incorrect whistle, since then.
Since the mother board and the sound module were both originally made by Soundtraxx I'd suggest sending an email to them and ask what your options might be. I can't say that the 21 pin header is wired to the MTC standards so that any other 21 pin decoder can plug into it. Soundtraxx should be able to answer that. I'm pretty sure the answer is NO.
If you really want sound there are many options for decent decoders out there so the worst-case scenario is to completely replace the original decoder that Bachmann has installed.
https://soundtraxx.com/contact/technical-support/
There is an old thread on the Bachmann trains forum called "Exploring the Spectrum EM-1 2-8-8-4" that has views of the original board and lots of information on the sound add-in.
Good Luck, Ed
Jonathan in the Bachmann HO forum has a couple of these locos. He seems to be the "expert" there on this loco last I knew.
As far as I know, there is no other sound module.
I have read of a few who ripped out the onboard decoder and sound module and put in a sound decoder. They did not like the whistle. This was a few years ago.
Bachmann did that with one of their logging locos. No more sound modules.
There are a couple company reps there 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.
richg1998This was a few years ago.
The early days of DCC seems to have several manufacturers grappling with how to satisfy the DC/DCC/DCC+Sound cost factor. Broadway had their Blue-Line and "Stealth" lines, Bachmann with their DC On-board and several Sound-Value lines all in attempts to keep costs down. Soundtraxx had a few stripped-down versions of their decoders.
The Bachmann EM-1 comed from this era when most buyers probably had no interest in sound and those that did could ante up the cost for the add-in sound board. Again, an attempt at keeping costs down for those that prefered not to have sound.
I have replaced several early sound decoders (mostly QSI) or installed sound decoders in locomotives that were previously DC. As long as you are reasonably adept at sorting out the wiring and posess some decent soldering and wiring skills it can be accomplished.
I seem to recall a thread here where I identified the wire assignments in, as I recall, a Bachmann EM-1. If I find it I'll post a link here.
Cheers, Ed
I believe I saw that posting but cannot find it right now.
Sometimes a Google search that includes trains.com has been more successful than the search engine here.
Your mileage may vary.
richg1998I believe I saw that posting but cannot find it right now.
There was this one but it strays a bit from the original topic. Still, may be helpful.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/276067.aspx
Here's the original M-R review:
https://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2012/03/bachman-ho-scale-baltimore--ohio-em-1-2-8-8-4-steam-locomotive
Still looking for the thread I had in mind. I recall chasing down the wiring of the two plugs under the cab. Seems like it was about two years ago?
TCS has a pretty good reference here:
https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1851
If anyone is planning to do some decoder work on the EM-1 you might consider going the extra step to remove the RF filter which is located in the boiler. This circuit will mess up any back EMF signals that the decoder uses for motor control.
The motor can be straight-wired bypassing the capacitors and inductors of the RF filter.
Regards, Ed
If it is easier, just clip the caps. They have a C prefix. The two Ferrite inductors are not an issue. Zero resistance. 4.7 Microhenry. I traced the colors some years ago and used an inductance meter to verify.
Some locos have two wire wound coils.
My Bachmann locos have had both versions.
They all usually form a tuned circuit. Some remove the inductors and forget to solder in a piece of wire. I have seen that in a couple forums.
i would just go with TCS WOW SOUND
thomas81z i would just go with TCS WOW SOUND
Well that is a good suggestion but you need a link.
Replace original decoder with sound decoder.