I’m a noob with DCC, just acquired a new (but not sealed) Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 HO Steam Locomotive. It’s “DCC Ready”. It’s featured in Bachmann’s 2002 catalog, so it was sitting on someone’s shelf for a long time. When I set it up on a DCC track, it does not run - it makes a hum and returns random vendor # values when I try to program it with my NCE powercab. So I gather that a decoder needs to be installed. There is an 8-pin connector inside the tender. Can you recommend a good decoder and provide your reasons why it’s a good decoder in my situation? Thanks!
Get the Digitrax DZ126PS decoder. Small decoder and good for one amp.
Google DZ126PS.
I used the DZ125 some years ago in a couple HO Bachmann locos. Replaced by the DZ126PS.
I have that loco with small drivers and large drivers with sound.
I have used the Power Cab at one time.
Rich
sevzas were you looking for sound?
Hi sevzas,
Assuming that you want sound, I’m going to recommend Loksound decoders primarily because they work so well right out of the box. I have installed about 20 of them in a variety of locomotives and not once have I had to play with speed tables or other settings (except sound volume) in order to get my locomotives to work beautifully. Their low speed performance is amazing. They also have some what I would call ‘common sense’ settings. For example, they do not automatically start the engine sounds when the layout is powered up. Many decoders start making sounds as soon as power is applied. If you have 10 such locomotives on your layout, all 10 will start making sound as soon as the track power is turned on. That can get annoying really fast. The Loksounds have to be told when to start up which is much more prototypical and much easier on the ears. Also, their software can be updated as new features are developed without having to replace the decoder.
Now the caveat: Loksound doesn’t currently offer a 4-6-0 sound file. They have a sound file #73417 that has four different small steam locomotives on it, but none of them are an exact match to your 4-6-0. I guess it depends on how prototypical you want to be as to whether or not the available Loksound files are acceptable. Here are the sound files. Scroll down to the “Steam Locomotives Coll:”.
http://projects.esu.eu/projectoverviews/2?type=steam&order=date
There are lots of other good decoders out there. In fact, some will say that there aren’t any bad newer decoders. However, there is something to be said about choosing a brand and sticking to it. One distinct advantage of doing that is that all of your decoders will work the same way. Different manufacturers use somewhat different command sequences to do the same thing. If you have a variety of manufacturers you have to remember the different commands for each
I dunno Dave. I’ve been programming a couple loksound decoders and just because they have a “project” doesn’t mean you can load it into their latest Version 5 decoders.
If the OP wants sound, I think TCS is a better bet. They have specific Bachmann "kits’ which include speaker and keep alives.
Hi Henry,
You obviously have more experience with regards to the OP’s situation than I do, and I haven’t dealt with any Loksound V5s yet, so I will support your advice. TCS decoders have a lot to offer. Perhaps I should put my money where my mouth is and try one!
Dave
Any V5 project will load in a V5 decoder - what problem have you been experiencing?
Very few steam sound files iwll be a specific prototype - there just aren’t that many still running steam locos to record good sounds from. Unless there’s a fired up and running version of the prototype that the owners/operators are willing to work with one of the sound decoder companies to make recordings with, best you can get is a pretty close, or possibly something taken from one of the steam sound records that were popular at the end of steam - but the quality there is going to be lower, even if you did find the original masters.
–Randy
Randy if you are directing that to me, none. The 70,000 series of projects are not V5 and don’t load in V5, at least in the diesel choices. I have no steam running loksound.
Correct. Select Direct files cannot be loaded in a V5 decoder (or a V4). However, V4 projects can be used with a V5.
–Randy
@BigDaddy - didn’t even consider whether I want sound. It would be nice to have sound for such an elegant engine. Perhaps there is a DCC decoder buying guide that I should review to avoid asking more noob questions. I see this at the top of the google results: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/choosing-a-dcc-decoder-2381563 I guess I will read this thoroughly.
I have that engine, and installed a Soundtraxx Tsunami2 TSU-1100. I fitted both a speaker and the decoder inside the tender. It is a tight fit and requires some filing, but I am satisfied how it sounds and runs.
Yes, lets keep it simple. He is new to DCC.
He needs a plug in decoder and speaker if he wants sound.
I have gone the SoundTraxx way in the past but hard wired a couple times.
I went to TCS and did not see anything for the 4-6-0 but 2-8-0 or 2-6-0 might work. A little more work.
For about $20.00 a DZ126PS will get him running with no sound and get his hands wet with DCC.
Rich
Oh … and when selecting a sound, just choose “light steam”. Who if anyone that ever visits your layout will distinguish the sound of a 4-4-0 from a 4-6-0 or a 2-6-0?
Rich, there is no way for a plug in decoder to fit in the tender, plus a speaker, at least not in the “DCC ready” version, which was my starting point (and which is what the OP has). When I installed my decoder and speaker, I took everything out of the tender, including the existing board and the mounting sockets, there is no other way than to hardwire everything. I don’t believe that there is a (non-sound) plug-in decoder available for this engine.
SoundTraxx has a good selection and you can listen to sound files.
I hope the OP gets back to us.
Rich
OP said his version has an 8 pin plug in the tender. So any number of non-sound decoders would be extremely easy to add.
–Randy
I have the large driver 4-6-0 with factory sound.
He must have the small driver 4-6-0. It can be done but tight. I did it. I have the experince. Don’t have photos anymore. I used the Tsunami Micro and an oval speaker about ten years ago but again he is new to DCC.
Someone in the Bachmann HO forum might have a suggestion but I doubt it will be any different.
The DZ126PS has short leads and easy to tuck in is why I suggested it.
Rich
Now I remember. Maybe at least twelve years. Tme’s fun when you are having flies.
The solution was not a popular one. Speaker up under the coal load firing up. Many tiny holes drilled in the coal load. Thin white glue painted on the coal load and coal dust sprinkled on the coal load.
Tender shell had to be well sealed as I recall or a baffle behind the speaker. Had to experiment.
Rich
I have the same loco with the TCS WOW sound decoder. Excellent motor control, love the sound feature when it is coasting.
Thanks for all of the replies. I tried a “Quick Reply” and I think it was lost. So I’m posting again.
I’m concerned that if I go the route with full sound, I might not have enough room to fit the speak inside the tender and it might not sound good because the speaker is inside a plastic box (the tender).
Here is a summary of the suggestions:
- richg1998: Digitrax DZ126PS (no sound)
- hon30critter: Loksound but no sound file for the 4-6-0
- BigDaddy: TCS because they have specific bachmann kits
- swisstrain: Soundtraxx Tsunami2 TSU-1100 (required some filing inside the tender to fit everything)
- basementdweller: TCS WOWSound
I’ll do some more research and reply to this thread when there is an outcome