adding sound to a bachmann 2-8-2

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I have a Bachmann 2-8-2 Mikado DCC w/o sound. This engine really runs great and I think I would like to add sound to it. Can anyone give me some guidance on a good sound decoder for this engine and any information about the process of installing the decoder.

Thanks

wdcrvr

2

TCS makes a kit https://tcsdcc.com/1904 speaker and decoder.

They have installation pics of other locos on their website.

3

Thanks, but $145 is more than I paid for the locomotive. I would hope there are some less expensive alternatives.

wdcrvr

4

Look for yankeedabbler on feebay. They have great prices.

oldline1

5

I have a DCC-ready Bachmann Niagara into which I installed a Digitrax sdxh-166d, which I think cost me $55 w/ speaker. It was a pain to squeeze into the tender but works nicely. Now, I don’t know how the board of your dcc-equipped Mike compares to the Niagara (does the decoder plug into the board or is it a dedicated board?) so I dunno if this is useful.

I can tell you that I have a Bachmann 2-8-2 Sound Value and I’ve never been terribly pleased with it. Detail is great and the sound is fine, but it doesn’t pull much and the leading and trailing trucks can be very finicky on less-than-perfect track-work – and even on perfect track work. I wanted it for a road engine, but it works better as a switcher.

I also have a Bachmann 2-6-0 that I bought (with sound) from that big place in Brooklyn for $100 ($70 less than the Mikado) and I love it. It pulls even less, but I use it for my three-car museum excursion train and it traverses all 28 scale miles of our club layout with no problems, 2% grades and all. If you’re looking for steam on a budget, and not running long trains, that might be something to consider.

6

I am a little late but SoundTraxx has one. Check the site.

I have used SoundTraxx a lot in the past.

https://soundtraxx.com/reference/decoder-selector

Rich

7

Is this a USRA light mikado, or Bachmann Spectrum Susquehanna SY 2-8-2? Also, what is your sound preference? Prices range from Digitraxx and MRC sound, which costs only around $50, and Tsunami 2, ESU Loksound and TCS which cost around $90+.

Charles

8

It is a Bachmann Susquehanna sy 2-8-2. Can I just add sound to the dcc decoder already there or do I need to repace the decoder? I know nothing about this stuff.

thanks

wdcrvr

9

Almost certainly not.