I am primarly a HO guy, with a fairly elaborate layout. I use A Digitrax Chief with boosters, and run multiple unit consists with sound, most of which I installed the decoders, speakers etc. My question is in a completly different vein. I always set up a small layout around the Christmas Tree, lets say it is for the grandkids. My two Bachmann Big Hauler 4-6-0s just are not cutting the mustard any more. I use 48" radius Aristo-Craft track that bolts together and a MRC CM-20 powerpack.
I was considering getting a pair of the Bachmann new 2-6-0 that Micro-Mark has for less than $200 a pop. If I were to put a Tsunami in them and a relatively large speaker with baffle in the tender I would assume I could use my Digitrax Zepher that is on my work bench to power the simple layout around the Christmas tree, then I could use a UT4R with approriate receiver to operate this resulting in a much much better sound and probably better running engines.
Are these engines really out there or are they still thinking about it. Does anybody have any experience with these. They say they now have metal frames and a switch that enables you to run them in conventional control or DCC, so I would assume the conversion to sound DCC should be easy!
Any care to opine on these seemingly great little engines. Does anybody actually have one in their hot little hands? Thanks for any input.
Paul
Dayton and Mad River RR
I don't have any of those Bachmann locomotives you are asking about, but I do run both HO and G scale.
Most G scale locomotives will overload an HO/N scale decoder such as the Tsunami, especially if you're pulling a train longer than 2 or 3 cars on straight, level track.
Curves such as running in a circle around the Christmas tree add drag to the consist and put more load on the motor.
What you will need for safer operation is a heavier duty (10 Amp) Digitrax or NCE G-scale motor/light control decoder to run the locomotive, and a separate Tsunami used only for the sound effects.
But having two decoders like this negates the simple "plug-n-play" aspect. Bachmann's advertising claims about being simple plug-n-play is not accurate, either -- most G scale decoders must be hard wired.
Bachmann has developed what they call a "standard" plug-n-play decoder socket for use in their G-scale products, but so far only Bachmann is using those particular sockets, and they are no compatible with most G-scale decoders made by Lenz, NCE, Digitrax, etc.
So far as I know, only an AristoCraft Train Engineer receiver has the same plugs and sockets.