Bachmann Consolidation Versions ...

[eja]

Still looking to find one of these on the bay, but I need help.

I think I have some of B'mann part numbers figured out:  53*** = white box, 51*** = sound equipped. (Please correct me if I am wrong)

But I haven't been able to map the 54***, 81*** and 84*** series to the version descriptions in Spookshow's write-up.  I think the 54*** is the truly decoder ready version and has the a working Bachmann coupler on both ends.

No idea where the 81 and 84 series fit in.

Any clarification will be appreciated so I don't end up buying something I don't want.

Thanks,

[Tad_T]

81 series = first generation Spectrum, NOT DCC Ready, Rapido coupler on the tender.

[Jimbo]

I have a recent release; it’s the one that’s DCC ready.  ITEM 54151 (Baltimore and Ohio.)

DCC-sound equipped ones appear to be 51XXX.

It must be the most recent run; it’s showing on the Bachmann website.  (I bought this one brand new a couple of months ago.)

NO - it does NOT have an operating front coupler!!!  Only an EZ Mate on the tender, and dummy knuckle (presumably scale-sized) on the front.  (Ironically, it includes a set of rapido couplers for both front and rear for those three people who still use these.)

FWIW - decoder plug in the tender is 9 pin… not ANY standard, to my knowledge.   

Hope this is helpful.

Jim

[reinhardtjh]

All of mine are 81* series but say DCC ready.  No-operative couple on pilot and Rapido on tender.

[eja]

All of mine are 81* series but say DCC ready.  No-operative couple on pilot and Rapido on tender.

Have you attempted to convert any to DCC?  What decoder might you use?

Thx

ed

[Jimbo]

When the Spectrum 2-8-0 first came out, I purchased one right away.  (81XXX)

I upgraded it to DCC almost immediately; at the time, my preferred decoder was Lenz.  I installed a Lenz LE0511 decoder.  It wasn’t particularly difficult, but certainly not a drop-in, either.

You have to remove the locomotive shell, remove the weight under the dome, and there are some posts that you solder the appropriate wires to.  (Spookshow website has photo of a first-run’s internals with what appears to be a Digitrax decoder installed.)

Don’t bother getting anything fancy; decoder only needs to support a single function.  A Digitrax DZ126 would probably be fine.

My first-run 2-8-0 still runs flawlessly and is fully the equal of my new one.


Jim

[turbowhiz]

NO - it does NOT have an operating front coupler!!!  Only an EZ Mate on the tender, and dummy knuckle (presumably scale-sized) on the front.  (Ironically, it includes a set of rapido couplers for both front and rear for those three people who still use these.)

Its a little overscale and rather oddly proportioned.....



With a little work these locos are a great NP scale conversion, fully functional. A lot better looking result then if it had a functional coupler to start with.

[Jimbo]

With a little work these locos are a great NP scale conversion, fully functional. A lot better looking result then if it had a functional coupler to start with.

AGREED!  And I’m eagerly waiting for the installation guide to be posted so I can do just that!  (Does its installation interfere with the range of motion of the pony truck?)

Jim

[eja]

Thanks everyone for the replies .... I think I have it figured out.  Looks like I need (want) a 54*** series loco.

eja

Typo correction

[fire5506]

 The 9 pin plug on decoders came after the NMRA 8 pin and before the 21 pin plug. 9 pin decoders are still available. At one time the choices were Hard wired, 8 pin NMRA decoders or 9 pin JST decoders.

 Richard Webster

FWIW - decoder plug in the tender is 9 pin… not ANY standard, to my knowledge.   

Hope this is helpful.

Jim

[peteski]

The 9 pin plug on decoders came after the NMRA 8 pin and before the 21 pin plug. 9 pin decoders are still available. At one time the choices were Hard wired, 8 pin NMRA decoders or 9 pin JST decoders.

 Richard Webster

Interesting. I have never encountered a decoder with an integrated 9-pin JST connector.  I guess it wasn't very popular.
I have seen a 10-pin version of the standard 8-pin connector (in the FVM 4-4-2 steam loco) where the additional 2 pins are for a speaker connection. Not sure if that is a standard or just an "FVM thing".