DCC Ready - Hornby and Bachmann Steam Locos

9820 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by 34C, Feb 21, 2008

cliverob

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2006

I have just bought my first two DCC ready steam locos after having mixed results on 5 conversions. The new stock are Hornby R2459 GWR 4-6-0 Castle Class "Wellington" and Bachmann 32-003 Blue Riband Steam GWR 4-6-0 Hall Class "Kinlet Hall". Much to my surprise, neither had any information on fitting decoders. Hornby had a small slip stating that the DCC unit should not be operated without the (supplied) insulation sleeve being in place. (The leaflet with the Bachmann E-Z Command decoders - 36-551 - I intended using stated "never wrap the decoder in insulating tape! Who do you believe?)
I fitted a decoder to the Hornby first. Once I had realised removal of the forward weight made room for the decoder it was quite straightforward as the decoder slid into the spot left by removal of the weight. Once programmed, the loco runs well.
The Bachmann was a very different kettle of fish! On taking the body apart, I was shocked to see absolutely no room for the decoder. I went looking on the Bachmann website for some guidance. On the page "Fitting Decoders to Bachmann locos" the first thing I noticed was the statement 'We are not able to recommend a decoder for each locomotive...' - amazing given that they market decoders!!
Further down the page you find some info on fitting. Under Blue Riband Steam they say 'Those with a space and decoder socket present no problems. Remove body, fit decoder and replace body. A popular approach on other locomotives is to completely remove the factory fitted circuit board as it's not needed for DCC and use the space to fit a small decoder. Otherwise, locate the decoder in the tender."
Removing the circuit board would not leave room for the Bachmann decoder and fitting it in the tender requires a small hole to be cut in the tender base. I am very reluctant to proceed further at this stage for fear of breaching warranty and have sent an Email to them requesting advice on fitting a decoder. I'll keep you posted on progress.

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Ozzie21

· #5 · Jul 2, 2006

Sometimes with decoders a little bit of research can help. Lenz in their infinite wisdom make the Lenz Gold in two variations. One with a JST socket and one without. The JST socket is the rather large 9 pin socket mounted on the actual decoder PCB. This can in some situations Interfere with the fitment in some models. The Hornby A3, 8F and Black Five are three that come to mind as is the Bachmann Ivatt Class 4, 4MT tank and Standard 5. All these models present problems with the JST socket so you can buy the Gold decoder without the JST socket, Lenz has attached all the wires to the decoder PCB and so saved all that height restriction. In some cases an alternate decoder may have to be sourced like an NCE 12SR or 14 SR decoder. These are actually "N" scale decoders but with a current capacity of an "HO" scale decoder. I've used these in the 8F, 7MT with socket, Black Five and A3 as well as Bachmann's Ivatt class 4, Royal Scot, WD 2-8-0 and A-1. These decoders while not having exactly the same running qualities of the much higher priced Lenz decoder perform satisfactorily. I will when time permits install a smaller "Z" guage decoder with similar current capacity into a Bachmann J72, 3F tank and Class 3 tank with hopefully no fried decoders on these split frame chassis.

Ozzie21

QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 1 Jul 2006, 13:55) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I had to do just that with the Hornby White Knight. It was supposedly dcc ready yet there was no room for decoder. It was a trauma.

See Dougs review for how he got on.
Unfortunately with smaller locos there is less space to put them in. I would suggest using the extra small ones intended for n scale. Alternatively you may wish to brush up on your surgical skills as thats what most people have had to do. I think your warranty is toilet paper once you have started messing around with your locos innards.

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Ozzie21

· #7 · Jul 3, 2006

True, but you can order most decoders with or without NRMA 8 pin plugs. Lenz supply the Gold decoders with both a plain and with a plug wiring harness. It's often horses for courses with decoders. I like only a couple of brands and only a couple of decoders in those brands. Most people base their purchases on cost but base mine on what that decoder will give me for the loco I'm installing it in. With standard decoders in UK outline models I will fit a Lenz Gold, if I'm adding a sound module, or a Silver providing the space is there. If it's not I'll use an NCE N12, N14 or Z14 depending on space. I also use Soundtraxx or Loksound decoders if sufficient space exists for speakers and such. These decoders work well on two cylinder locos but not so good on 4 cylinder UK locos as they tend to replicate US Articulated compounds rather than simples. Here's hoping Southwest Digital will release some UK steam sound decoders to go with their diesels.

Ozzie21

QUOTE (Makemineadouble @ 3 Jul 2006, 01:14) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>TCS MC2 a brilliant decoder, small, does'nt need pampering, and if your into plugs you can order one with it.

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Ozzie21

· #9 · Jul 3, 2006

Okay now I have an excuse to buy a Manor or a Hall. Damn I thought I wasn't going to buy any GW stuff

Ozzie21

QUOTE (dwb @ 4 Jul 2006, 03:00) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>>Here's hoping Southwest Digital will release some UK steam sound decoders
Their 2 cylinder Great Western sound decoder is out now.

David

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Ozzie21

· #15 · Jul 4, 2006

The drawback to removing that weight is loss of traction. You may find that the loco will haul one or two less coaches. I've found that the hauling capacity of many of the Bachmann and Hornby steam locos is not so good. So you may find that you'll have to add weight over that front driving axle to compensate for an over sprung front truck. To illustrate, I bought a Bachmann Royal Scot which after having it's decoder fitted I put it on a train of 8 new Hornby Stanier coaches, it slipped. I removed the spring from the front truck and it could manage the eight cars. Same deal with the Bachmann V2. With four Mk1's it was happy with six it slipped. I removed the springs from both trucks and added some lead shot to the trucks. Now it'll haul eight cars.

Ozzie21

QUOTE (cliverob @ 4 Jul 2006, 09:48) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks to all who responded to my posting. Bachmann have gone up in my estimations with (1) a quick reply to my query and (2) an easy solution to the problem.
The reply from their Service Dept. said
"Thank you for your enquiry. The space for the decoder is in the cradle just ahead of the motor. Remove the block of metal that's in it when the loco is shipped.There's a channel beneath the motor bracket to run the decoder wires round to the decoder socket."
Lo and behold there is plenty of room to fit even the big E-Z Command 36-551 decoder and the wiring. It was a simple job to instal the decoder. (By the way, the loco runs well.)
Why on earth Bachmann cannot include these simple instructions with the loco defeats me! Why get your customers offside and also give their own technical people extra queries to answer??

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