Rusty, one of my two Spectrum 2-8-0's, the newer one, is also model 83605 (DCC w/o sound).  Mine does not share your difficulty RE: DC power.  -Gary

Sorry SG, I don't care to retire the original tender w/doghouse, but use it occasionally with the 2-10-2 in a different role.  I desire to affordibly obtain AN ADDITIONAL circuit board. Thanks.

The answer to my previously posed question appears to be a change of circuit boards in the Vandy tender I wish to use with my Bachmann 2-10-2.   I find many references to the task of swapping circuit boards, but no information on the sourcing of these circuit boards.   Can I buy them from Bachmann?  I cannot even find a source for some of the tenders that come with the 2-10-2.    Thank you!

Quote from: rustycampos on March 19, 2008, 09:03:22 PM
I have a Spectrum DCC 2-8-0 that I want to run on DC.  I have to crank up the controller (Tech4 350) all the way to get it to move even slowly.  This happened just out of the box.  I have lubricated it with no effect.  Other Spectrum DC steam runs fine on this track.  Any suggestions?

I own two Spectrum DCC 2-8-0's that were acquired about a year apart.  I have been most pleased with their near identical performance under DC power using a MRC Tech II for power.  While I am most pleased with their low speed capability, faster speeds are no impediment.  [I specify my power supply only to thoroughly specific.]

Quote from: SteamGene on March 19, 2008, 05:28:13 PM
The Hickens tender will work ONLY with the USRA heavy Mountain and the USRA light Mallet.  It will NOT work with the USRA light Mountain.  Be advised it will FRY a USRA light Santa Fe. 
Gene

Thanks SG!  A test of the locomotive with its original tender proved that I had NOT fried the Santa Fe (2-10-2) in my test with the Vandy.  I had tested at the lower DC voltage rather than DCC.  I reviewed my Vanderbilt Hicken documentation to find NO INSTRUCTIONS as to the application!  Seeing that the wire connectors were identical had given me the false confidence that these tenders were compatibly engineered.

QUESTION: Has anyone actually fitted the circuit board used with the 2-10-2 into the Vanderbilt Hicken body?  I'd be most grateful to hear from you.

THANK YOU GG-ALEX!
What Spectrum Engines can use the Vanderbilt Hicken Tender as is?

Rather than cannablize the one tender, I'd like to have two working tenders...

I swapped tenders on a new Spectrum 2-10-2 from a coal tender to a prevously purchased (but unused) Spectrum Vanderbilt Hicken tender.  The engine will reverse with the coal tender, but remains dead rather than move in reverse with the Hicken tender with dummy plug, or w/decoder.  Any suggestions?