I recently purchased a Bachmann Spectrum Climax (the ones with metal gears, and DCC Sound Ready model) and Im trying to find the sound module for it, The problem is, no one has it anymore. Did a Google search and no one has it in stock, not even Bachmann.
Can I use a different Bachmann Plug-and-Play sound module, or do I have to use the one for the Climax?
Update: I just emailed Bachmann to see if they will get this decoder back in stock. However, after looking at Tony’s Train Exchange website, the page for the same decoder says they won’t get anymore until mid 2019.
Looks like an annoying way to forcing a captive customer into purchasing that exact (overpriced) sound module, if they want sound in their engine …
Is the engine already prefitted with a speaker? If so, you could always rip out the existing DCC Board, buy a good quality sound decoder like a tsunami II and hard wire it. I know if you have never done that, a project like that sounds daunting, but I did that with a Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 which had DCC only, and it with no real prior experience in installing sound decoders but some patience the project turned out great.
Yes, you want the sound module for the 2 truck shay as that’s what it’s programed for. The modulars all look alike, but the sounds are different, for different locomotives.
I got an email the beginning of the week from Trainworld. I looked at Modeltrainstuff website and they had them too, at maybe $10 less. Today they are sold out at MTS.
Neither site mentioned the sound module would be unobtanium.
Bachmann has done that with some locos. I have been following their forums for some years.
I looked at the SoundTraxx forums and they suggest a couple of their sound decoders but you have to rip out the present decoder. I guess similar to what TCS would suggest. Rip out. Measure twice, and order. Decoder specs online.