Upgrade from DCC on board to DCC sound

[js7924]

Hi. My granddaughter and I have two engines a 2-8-0 Consolidation and a GP 30 Diesel that have the DCC onboard. What direction do we need to go in order try to convert both to the DCC sound. Is it possible to do?   Thanks js

[MilwaukeeRoadfan261]

The 2-8-0 should be relatively easy. If it is the newer standard line version it has a spot in the bottom of the tender for the speaker and you just remove the DCC decoder and put the sound decoder in it's place. A Soundtraxx TSU-1000 Medium steam decoder should do just fine, use a 1 inch round speaker from Soundtraxx as well and I would recommend getting a 9-pin JST to NMRA 8-pin wiring harness (also Soundtraxx) because using the 8-pin plug from the stock decoder is a pain to solder the wires from the soundtraxx decoder to. The GP-30 however is a different story. I myself have never tried making a diesel DCC sound, but again, I would recommend Soundtraxx. The website for Soundtraxx has recommendations for decoders and speakers as well as instructions for installation in certain locomotives. I would check out their website.

www.soundtraxx.com

[Hunt]

Click Here for how to install a TSU-1000 digital sound decoder into a HO Bachmann 2-8-0.

Don't have time to go into what will be involved to install sound in your Bachmann GP 30. It is not an install for a first timer. Maybe best you look for a diesel locomotive with sound already installed or someone to do the install for you.

[jward]

the gp30 has a split frame which takes up almost all the room inside the body. there is no way to add a speaker without completely disassembling this locomotive and removing parts of the frame halves. not an easy job.

[bapguy]

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,24367.0.html
see above link to photo of my sound install on a GP30.  Joe