B'mann 2-8-0 DCC ready??

[Michaeldt]

Evening,

I picked up a couple of engines over the weekend. A B'mann 2-8-0 and a Mountain 4-8-2.
The 2-8-0 package says the engine is DCC ready.??

What does that mean exactly? I'd like to know before I start tearing into the engine what I'm looking for that makes this engine DCC ready?

[kevin2083]

DCC ready means that the motor is electrically isolated from the frame, making it easier to install a decoder. The 2-8-0 has a split frame mechanism and some room for a SMALL decoder in the tender.

enjoy them trains!

[fieromike]

DCC ready means that the motor is electrically isolated from the frame, making it easier to install a decoder. The 2-8-0 has a split frame mechanism and some room for a SMALL decoder in the tender.

enjoy them trains!

I'd think installing the decoder into the engine would be a better choice for the long run.  You'd have no problems with the wiring to the engine causing problems like those that seem to crop up with LL 0-8-0.
Two illustrated guides:
http://mvns.railfan.net/dcc //bach280_dec_inst.pdf
http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/Bachman%20N%20scale%202-8-0/bachman_n_scale_2_8_0.htm

The Digitrax DZ123 will fit if you trim the heatshrink way back, but if I were to do another one, I'd look at the TCS M1 or one of the other really small decoders.

Mike

[Lt Jim]

For what it's worth, the decoder installation was easy for the 2-8-0. and it runs like a top! Definitely one of the easier non plug-n-play decoder installations out there!