Model Railway Forum

Your American cousin has eschewed DCC because back in the gay old 90's I found it to be interesting, but finicky. I am working on a smallish layout depicting Colorado circa 1880 and have acquired not one, but two Bachmann American Type 4-4-0's, both of which are advertised as DCC ready. Never mind the exploded parts sheet doesn't reveal the sockets, so I am eventually going to take a look-see inside the tenders and hope something suitable is visible.

My question is thus: what would be a suitable decoder to activate lights and onboard sound? I have been warned that Bachmann decoders are of poor quality and to be avoided at all cost. That being said, the same respondent recommended Digitrax DZ106 decoders. My stupid question is will they work with the Bachmann Command Control that I have in the closet? I would guess they would be compatible, but with 'Bachmann, who knows?

Apologies to Bachmann aficiando's, but they have not led the field in quality control.

Just for the record...
The latest Bachmann Europe decoders (Non sound) are in fact rebadged Zimo, so are of very high quality.
Until recently and AFAIK Bachmann Europe still are using for sound decoders ESU Loksound, again highly reputable.

But are you referring to these or to Bachmann USA? In which case I can't comment on them as I have no dealings with these types.

USA. Glad to hear B'mann is pulling out of their death dive.

AFAIK there has never been any serious issues with Bachmann Europe decoders, even when they were first introduced. I'm fairly sure they were rebadged ESU basic decoders? I have used at least 20 of their early (non Zimo) ones and haven't had any problems to date. Not tried the latest ones as yet though. Too many locos already in the stables!!(Or so Im told !)

Hi Here's a link to the TCS website installation page which MAY be your loco. It is a 4-4-0 DCC ready.
It shows the screws to release the tender body for access to the decoder socket and it also looks like there is a speaker housing.
The decoder shown is not sound so if you want sound then a suitable decoder and speaker will be required.

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1238

Hope that this helps, Colin.

While not precisely the same locomotive, the basic chassis and tender design looks just about right. I'm going to give it a whirl
with the Digitrax thingy, once I figure out how many sockets it has. Presumptively, all DCC should be compatible? Main objective is to run two locomotives upon the same circuit, blow an occasional whistle, that sort of thing.