Recently I was approached to install a DCC decoder in a Bachmann HO scale speeder. The challenge was intriguing; how to find room for the decoder without placing it on the “control deck”, which is the easy way. Could the headlamp be illuminated?
After carefully examining the entire assembly and making a few measurements, I decided the best approach was to slightly modify the control deck by raising it 5.5 scale inches and carving out bits of plastic from the deck to accomodate a TCS Z2 decoder.
Here we go!
STEP ONE - Remove the bottom cover
Unscrew the five screws and remove the bottom cover. Mark the bottom of the motor with a dot from a magic marker, preferably black as lower terminal is the negative terminal.
STEP TWO - Remove plastic material from top cover
STEP THREE - Add styrene sheet to control deck top
Removing the plastic material may “blemish” the top side of the cover; to resolve this issue, carefully sand the top side until its flat, then “laminate” it with a sheet of .010 styrene. I made mine from bits of styrene then used Bondo Glazing Putty to fill the seams. Next, paint the entire assembly with SCL hopper yellow. Dont worry if the yellow differs from the main assembly; the original deck color did not match either.
STEP FOUR - Preparing weight halves
Nice work. You should send that to TCS if you haven’t already. They don’t have that one in their install pictures, and you have very nice and clear pictures with detailed instrutions. They pay off with a free decoder if they use your submission.
–Randy
Thanks Randy for the comments; I’ve submitted the idea to TCS. Hopefully they’ll take it.
Their submission rules have changed; you have to request permission for a project before you submit it. Also they no longer send you the decoder of your choice, it will be the same decoder as the one used in your project. In any case I like their installation section of their site. It is a great reference for those requiring assistance with decoder installations; its the most comprehensive site I’ve come across.
Carl very nice job on this…How about DCC in the Bachmann Gandy Dancer next [:D]
Boy, a Gandy Dancer, Hmmmm
In any case, here is a video of the Speeder on our club layout:
http://youtu.be/gyHkzZp4oJU
how about a dcc velociped? might have to use a z scale decoder.
Amazing what a smooth runner it is! DCC technology has made this hobby so much more enjoyable and this is a good demonstration of its benefits. Great job Carl and thank you for posting the steps with the detailed photos.
Does anyone know which prototype railroads owned speeders like this one, or units that were similar? This would be a very neat unit to have in MOW service on a layout. Would definitely keep things interesting during operation sessions.
Pretty much any railroad would probably have somethign similar. It’s a bit out of proportion, a concession to leave room to motorize it. If you look at prototype pictures, the center cover over the motor is not nearly that tall, and usually does not extend the entire length of the speeder. And also not nearly that wide. There are static models that are more accurate, which are great for posing static scenes, but if you want to add an operating quirk that there is a maintainence gang on a certain track then you need a running one.
–Randy
I AM THE OWNER OF THE SPEEDER, AND TOLD CARL NEXT IS SOUND.
Hi
Welcome to the Forum!
Re: Sound. Seems like the space is rather tight, but which decoder and sound scheme would you use? Seems like a speeder like this would use a small gasoline or diesel engine.
GREAT JOB. And thanks for posting.
I have one of these and have had fleeting thoughts of putting a decoder in up until I considered it next to impossible.
Richard
Carl,
Fantastic job!!
I am using one of these for my Sn42 CN Newfoundland layout.
Going to see if my buddy can install DCC in mine.
Thanks
Andrew