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1,221 Posts
Anyone know what decoder fits the non split chassis Bacjmann B1 ?
Bachmann B1
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There's bags of room in the smokebox, mine have either Lenz Standard or Zimo MX600, both with an 8 pin plug on wires. I doubt you would tell the difference in running performance, uniformly excellent, and frankly at the moment it's snatch the decoder that is in stock out of the retailer's hand! (And pay of course...)
But there is a slight caveat, all my B1's are hacked about internally to get in the maximum quantity of lead ballast, while keeping the centre of balance over the middle coupled wheelset to improve traction. (Both the Bachmann and Hornby models need weight added to deliver traction sufficient for prototype loads, they were good for 14 coaches or 60 wagons.) Did I take anything out of the Bachmann smokebox or off the front of the chassis block? I don't think so, but this was over ten years past and I don't remember...
But there is a slight caveat, all my B1's are hacked about internally to get in the maximum quantity of lead ballast, while keeping the centre of balance over the middle coupled wheelset to improve traction. (Both the Bachmann and Hornby models need weight added to deliver traction sufficient for prototype loads, they were good for 14 coaches or 60 wagons.) Did I take anything out of the Bachmann smokebox or off the front of the chassis block? I don't think so, but this was over ten years past and I don't remember...
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1,221 Posts
Ah! A Lenz Standard does fit, not my preferred way of fitting a decoder as I like them attached to the chassis with no need for the body but the only way of doing that seemed to be a TCS DP2X-UK which now are incredibly £40 so a previously used Lenz Standartd was a far cheaper option. Regarding complaints in the thread over the tender spacing its only a flat metal drawbar and easy enough to reduce in length or replace. At least its a loco you can handle without too much fear of bits breaking or falling off.
Certainly is a robust model, and more! I think it was the late Iain Rice who picked this model out over thrty years ago, as overall a class act from the then limited RTR selection, other than the the original Replica drive line design; and readily improved by any modeller that cared to customise it, close the loco to tender gap, add crew, coal and small details of choice. My Bachmann B1s are all in workaday condition, ther typical appearance. I am now up to two of the Hornby B1's, never having intended to buy more than one, (but the second was so cheap!) one just returned from a general and gleaming, the second which had superficial exterior damage 'slightly worn', but just been cleaned at Top Shed. It seemed a shame to make them mucky...
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6,642 Posts
I use DCC Concepts 8pin nano as they fit anything - even the wretched Bachmann Hall where the socket is under the cab, what is more I have many of them and when one failed Richard (member on here) very kindly sent a replacement without quibble in fact this decoder is only just bigger than the blanking plug and they are proving to be excellent.
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