Spectrum 4-6-0 DCC Ready

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just received this loco. I like to install my own decoders.This one cost me $93.00 with shipping. The tender will need speaker holes. I knew that before I ordered as I found a tutorial on installing sound in the 4-6-0. The speaker holes are not in the tender like the Spectrum 4-4-0.
Anyone considering this loco with sound might consider ordering it with sound if you do not care doing the required work. Micro Mark has the sound version for around $168.

Extra parts

Rich

2

Wholesaletrains.com has them advertised at $161.49 with dcc and sound! Not sure yet when I will recieve mine.

3

I’d maybe try the sound system in the engine first before drilling holes. I think the need for speaker holes “to let the sound out” is a little overdone. I recently installed a sound sytem in a Spectrum engine whose tender didn’t have sound holes and it worked fine; if anything it works better since the fully enclosed enclosure emphasizes the bass a little bit more.

4

I have been considering that option also. I am looking around for a possible tutorial on that issue. Speakers are improving.

Rich

5

It’s going to be a tight fit if you are using the small tender. I had to do some major surgery just to get a decoder in. On the positive side, the extra weight should help keep the tender on the tracks. I had to put short pcs. of steel rod in the water tanks. The wires from the engine to the tender were too stiff…maybe they resolved that problem. Thinking of buying the sound equiped model to double head with my silent one. Will have to renumber it because they use the same #s on the sound as on the DCC ready, not a good decision. jerry

6

I have installed a Micro-Tsunami and one inch speaker in a Spectrum 4-4-0. The tender was ready for a speaker.

The article I have about installing a decoder in the 4-6-0 tells you how to get more room in the tender shell so I do not see any issues yet. I am looking up info on the latest sound speakers so I do not have to drill holes in the tender frame.

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/sE5ASPw8vyDPr1l9Cs1UAE6Elu-mnd4xdmrEJdJykPd37qFPmdmyCtex63n9AAQwVe5FzP-2TpxOlJI51tjaHTT7zJ4ZIV5LgA/Bachmann%204-6-0%20Tsunami%20Install.pdf

The writer of this article sells DCC products. I am going to contact him concerning speakers that might work without drilling.

Rich