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Messages - RockyMtnMark

#1
On30 / Holiday 2-6-0 Conversion to DCC/Sound - Easy
February 10, 2021, 10:29:25 AM
I recently converted one of my collectible Christmas-themed Bradford Exchange 2-6-0 moguls to DCC & Sound, using Bachmann's DCC Sound-ready 2-6-0 model as the chassis.  I know others have asked here about this type of conversion before, so I just wanted to confirm that the tooling & shells are basically the same, and that swapping the body shells of the loco and tender is very straight-forward and doable.

For reference, I documented (with photos) my experience on my web site at:
    https://sites.google.com/view/marksmodelrailroads/holiday-villages/holiday-trains
I also put details in a PDF document, available for download there (and here).

The main issue is the rear screw post of the tender - because of the decoder & speaker, the DCC version uses a tab/slot mounting in the back  of the shell, instead of the analog version's 2nd screw post.  I just cut out the post of the collectible and relied on the front screw post only, but others may want a more secure connection on the rear.  Also, since the bottom & wheels of both are that of the DCC model, you may want to do some paint-matching.

Here's a video of my results (before any paint matching):  https://youtu.be/aqfrcKPUNFY

I don't know how long Bachmann will make this DCC version and sound module available, but hopefully someone else can make use of this information.
#2
On30 / 2-6-0 Sound Module Availability?
February 09, 2021, 12:36:48 PM
Does anyone know why it is so difficult to find (reasonably priced) purchase sources online for the Bachmann DCC sound modules for the On30 2-6-0 mogul line?  The sound module, Bachmann item #44957, is used in the DCC 2-6-0 model numbers 29301, 29302, 29303 and 29304.  Several vendors' pages list the sound modules, but they are almost always out of stock or unavailable, usually with no expected in-stock date.

Is Bachmann discontinuing these sound modules?  MicroMark's site lists them as discontinued (just from MicroMark, or anywhere?).  SoundTraxx's site has a Technical Note #23 that indicates some "21-pin drop in sound module" from Bachmann has been discontinued, but it doesn't say exactly which one(s).

I ask because I am using these DCC 2-6-0 locos, with this sound module, to easily convert my Bradford Exchange holiday-themed On30 locos to DCC/Sound, and don't know if I'll be able to continue doing this.  I'd like to publish my documentation on how to do this conversion on my model railroading web site, but don't want to do that if these sound modules will soon become unavailable.

Any insight much appreciated!