I have decided to use the Bachmann 2_8-0, of which I have several both DCC as well as non DCC, as one of my RR's mainstay engines. They will be joined by a couple of Kato 2-8-2's. I would like to add sound to the Bachmann non DCC2-8-0's mounting everything in the tender. The DCC conversions I have seen mounted the decoder in the engine. I would prefer to mount it as well as the speaker in the tender with only the wires to the motor passing between tender and engine. I have several extra Bachmann tenders (short medium and long) with power pickups that I can use. Looking for advice on which sound decoder to use and any advice on the installation.
I have two of the 2-8-0s. I contracted for installation of dcc - TSU-750 Soundraxx in both locomotives. They are my favorites. I follow John Colombo and based on his information, I ordered speakers from Digikey which I provided to the installer. He was able to fit it all in the tender that came with the locomotives. PM me so we can connect by e-mail. I have some YouTube Videos of them. I liked them so well that I attempted to purchase another locomotive from that non-dcc run.. Got it new in box, however it did not run. I have a factory dcc version for which I am tempted to have sound installation done.
I have had good luck with the loksound micro-select by ESU. They fit nicely with the speaker under the coal load in the small tender by bachman. I have a video up of a ten-wheeler with it loaded up and running on my youtube page. I ain't certain how to put a link on here, but you can find it under my last post in railfan photos.
I too have used the ESU Loksound Micro with the TDS (Tony's Dream Speaker) in the 2-8-0 and Kato Mikado with excellent results. Motor control is great and the sound files are spot on. I have local engines of this type to compare them to. There is a thread showing step by step the procedure for both engines, I'll see if I can find them.
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but rather than start a new thread, how do you get the boiler shell off a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0? I've removed the tender, cab and pilot step assembly. The boiler shell is supposed to tilt up and off, but I can't get it to budge. My 2-8-0 was running great, but it suddenly started to sputter, stall and intermittently draw high amps. I suppose I could send it in, but it's used and is a gift from a friend. I think I can figure out what's wrong if I can access the mechanism. I see evidence of pet hair in the mechanism. Thanks for any advice! Hardcoaler
I figured it out shortly after posting. I can't determine how to delete a post, so it must stay I guess. To remove the boiler I inserted a small flat blade screwdriver under the piping detail under where the cab sat. I bit of gentle prying on each side got it to release and I was able to lever the boiler shell forward. There's also a linkage of plastic detail on the engineer's side that connects the boiler shell to the running gear! An end can be popped away from the body shell under where the cab sat. Now to figure out what's going on with the mechanism ...... Harcoaler
I hired the installation of dcc and sound to the two non-dcc Spectrum version I own. I am tempted to purchase one of the dcc version 2-8-0s and have the same dcc and sound set up installed in it. The one sacrifice made by the installer was removal of the factory weight in the tender to accommodate the speaker I provided to him. My experience with LokSound dcc plus sound is limited to an installation in a Kato SD70Ace; I am not pleased with the horn or volume of the overall sound features. The voice announcement, rail click and other sophisticated feature of sound are very nice.
I have am in the same basic situation. I too have settled on the 2-8-0 as my preferred engine and have acquired a couple of them both analog and DCC. I want to convert the analog ones to DCC with sound. I believe there was someone in Colorado that advertised DCC installs on Ebay but he either doesn't advertise anymore or I can't find him with the new Ebay configuration. Does anyone know any sources that offer this service? Also, what are we looking at in regard to cost?
