Thanks to MR Bob I now have Sound installed in a Bachmann DCC, 0-6-0T. Bob reminded me that he would never do this again in his lifetime as it was a challenge replacing the existing decoder with a sound one and adding a keep alive. As it turned out in order to make things fit he needed to carve away a bit of the cab interior/firebox but the finished product shows no difference. She runs nice and smooth and the sound is great (very loud at 100 vs 255).

If you are interested, here are the specs. for the modification: the decoder was Soundtraxx  Tsunami 2, model TSU-1100, part number 884006 steam-2.The current keeper was a Soundtraxx Current KeeperII , part number 810160. Speaker was a LokSound part number 50321 sugar cube style speaker.
The current keeper is a square configuration rather than a long rectangular shape, alternate choice could have been a TCS, smaller but still would have had to alter the cab interior some, and I think the TCS has a longer "stay alive" time.


Barry

Well, no one was able to help with this modification so I sent my engine to a friend who put in a Sound Trax decoder, a keep alive and new bulbs with a hefty price.

I await the mail arrival on Tuesday and will post a photo of the completed locomotive.

Have a happy and a meaningful Memorial Day.

Barry

Not sure where/how to check for info. on previous posts so apologize if this subject has already been discussed. Any assistance appreciated.

Thanks,

Barry

The challenge of removing/replacing a body shell has simply been resolved.

1. Remove the tiny screws from the fuel tank which covers the speaker.
2. Gently, pry the fuel tank cover off.
3. Remove the two diagonal screws from the locomotive frame which fastens the frame to the body
    shell.
4. Lift the frame from the body shell and replace.

Barry

I have some extra road name boy shells I would like to swap out for my existing ones on my Bachmann GP-40s.

Anyone have experience doing this? Loosen screws on bottom of fuel tank or slip on off?

Thanks,

Barry

Thanks, Joe.

When Bachmann opens back up I'll see if they have a set of wheels.

I feel a bit silly not realizing that the wheel sets contained the gear.

Thanks, for the insight.

Barry

I realize that these gears are not sold by Bachmann and I think someone said years back that Northwest Shortline ? had a replacement one? I also think that recently said NWShortline no longer offers this item.

Outside of getting a replacement chassi from either Bachmann when they re-open or on ebay are there any other solutions to stripped gears?

BTW, all of my locomotives are okay and don't currently need a gear ... just thinking ahead to stock up on parts so they are available when required.

Thanks, guys.

Barry

Hi Jonathan:

I have two, Centralia Car Works, (Des Plains Hobby) red, side door, cabooses, one Blair Line, Iowa Div. caboose modified to include a baggage door for mixed train service and one brass, Overland Models, painted, transfer caboose. The mixed train caboose was modified by my friend and the brass caboose was from a retired, IC, friend.

While I have five, diesels and five steamers for the IC I really model a railroad museum in Illinois which also has a ficticitous, modern freight short line.I also have about 40, 50's, era, freight, and five passenger cars for museum and era change trains. This follows my railroad work life of fifty years starting with the IC in the late 60s. Likely, too much information for a simple answer.

Barry

Here's a couple more photos of my railroad.

Enjoy,

Barry

Trainman, the tender is the original Bachmann 2-6-0 one. My friend modified it to reflect the IC
prototype and I had previously changed the tender light from side to middle. This modification was quite simple but there is a trick to doing it

First you need to remove the tender shell and to do that you need to unscrew the wire keeper which protects wires from the engine. The two screws which attach the keeper are tiny and you need to keep from breaking any tiny wires.

Once the shell is off (lift it from the engine end and slowly wiggle the other end off)put the shell in the freezer overnight to help loosen the tender light casting. The next morning, take it out of the freezer and use a needle nose plier to gently pull the casting free of the glue and set it aside.

Now look at the tender and you will see the lighting circuit and bulb/led plus a small piece of clear rod to transfer the light up to the tender fixture. Unscrew this assembly (one tiny screw) and turn it 180 degrees so when you again tighten the screw it will place the light right in the center of the tender floor.

The final step is to locate the rear, center of the tender and drill a new hole about 1/16" to hold the now re-positioned light fixture. Place the tender shell back on the body, screw the wire keeper back in place and test the engine. You should now have a centered back up light.

It actually takes more time to read this than it does to perform the work. It's a fairly easy task and improves the look of the locomotive making it truly bi-directional.

Barry

Thanks, Jonathan I have always enjoyed seeing your progress and accomplishments.

Yep, it was a bit of a challenge to learn how post photos but now I think I know how to do it. If you folks don't mind I'll post other photos of my roster and railroad?

Barry

I think I can figure this out now so here are a couple of photos of the modifed 2-6-0 as IC #3715.

Enjoy,

Barry

Thanks, Terry for that option.

I'll see if can do that tomorrow.

Barry

Thanks, Jonathan.

So if I understand correctly, I can't just post a photo directly form my computer files to the Bachmann
site? Do I have to go through a hosting/pay site like Photobucket or Flickr as the only way to post a photo here.

If that's the case I guess I'll need to post these photos elsewhere.

This is too bad as the work my friend did on the 2-6-0 is truly wonderful and inspiring. I'll probably post the pix over at the Face Book site of HO Scale Shelf layouts or the MRH website.

Sorry guys.

Barry 

All including Moderator:

I have tried repeatedly, to post photos of the completed/modified 2-6-0 with headlight re-located and changed. However each time I try to post a photo I am told it can't happen.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Barry