I like the easy way.  I was finding all sorts of ways but none as easy as the links posted.

I think I will start getting the stuff together to make this happen.  I all ready have the brass, and small parts.  I just need to get the money for a nice Tsunami steam sound decoder.

AAAHHHHH!!!  This is going to look and sound so good.  May take me a while but I will have fun doing it.  That is why I like modeling.  always learn something new.

I will add pictures as I work.  Might not be much every week, but I will update as I get things done.


Thanks.

Buzz.

I just finished up running it on the little bit of track I have.  I was pretty impressed that it ran.  It does run pretty smoothly considering how long it has sat there in the box.  After about 5 minutes it seemed to get a little bitter.  I have about 4 feet of track laid out.  Not much but a simple test.  I think it would get better if I could just let it run some.

Buzz.

I did not mean to not answer about the wheels, They are blackened metal wheel sets.

The motor is silver, has flat sides with the Bachmann logo stamped in it but the top and bottom are rounded.  It looks like this one.  The box does not say Bachmann PLUS or Spectrum on it.  It just has Bachmann.  It is packed with black colored foam.

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_214&products_id=1590

I am going to run it this weekend to see if it even runs and how well.

Did find the newer version in stock at trainwordonline.  If all else fails, the new comes with DCC on board so putting in a new sound decoder can not be that hard.

I am not so worried about the wires running between the tender and engine.  I can get some micro connectors for that.  It is the electrical pick up and how much money it will cost.  I am thinking it will be as much to get this one running on DCC as it will be to buy a new engine.
Thanks.  

Buzz

Edited for Spelling (x2)

I am not really sure.  Frames are a touch different, my frames do not have the circle looking part, mine does not have traction tires and it comes with knuckle couplers.

I took it apart again and the frames are like both of these?  It is split, but is more like this shape and the motor looks the same as this one?

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H502X-IS001.PDF

It came in a big foam filled box.  It was not the plastic bubble in a box.  It does not say Spectrum, so not sure what it is?  Tag on the box says Item #11302.

Thanks.

Buzz.

Well when I looked at this engine, I stared at it for about 30 minutes.  Could I, should I, will it work or am I wasting my time.  So far so good.  No time lost and a good education to boot.

I have done (6) engines so far.  First victum was an Athearn F59PHI.  After a few OPP's, it works very well.  Then I did (4) Aethern BB GP35's.  Last one was a N scale Atlas for a friend.  Each one became easier and better.  Getting the speaker in the Geeps is tough.

It was more of a question of easy or hard.  But after taking it apart, it does have a split frame with a square, rectangle worm drive motor.  It is from 2000 or 2001.  It is a SP Daylight GS4 and I have all of the cars to go with it.  If nothing else it does look good and will make a nice display engine.  It looks like this one will be a "PROJECT" to be sure.  It sounds do able, just how much time and effort is the question.


I am shopping for one online to see if they are out there.  It looks if they come back into stock, they will be less then $200.00.  So it sound like I may spend the money, get a new SP daylight GS4 and use this one a pretty yard queen.

Thanks.

Buzz.

Would ordering a complete tender and circuit board make the job easier?

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_154&products_id=848

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_68_154&products_id=851

If that is not the way to  go, I will just wire in a Tsunami decoder.  Just looking for an easier way.


Thanks.

Buzz.

I have an older, I do mean real old GS4.  It is NIB.  I am installing DCC in all of the loco's I have.  I read some place, I could be wrong, but the newer tenders have power pick up and mine does not.  What would be an easy way to install the DCC with sound in this engine?  Order the tender and the circuit board for the engine and wire it up?  Just buy a steam sound decoder from Soundtraxx, MRC, Digitrax or the like?

Thanks.

Buzz.