Clyde, the tender you are seeking is often offered for sale from an Ebay seller "The Favorite Spot". That seller has the as "buy it now" for usually about $17 - $18.  They also sell unlettered versions. They sometimes go weeks, or even a month or so without having one up. The last one I saw was Feb 16th. But, I'm sure they'll post more... I hope. I want one too and am kicking myself now for not getting one the last time I saw it. Here is a link to the last one I had on my watch list:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180813845479?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

You can then click the link to the sellers store.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

I am very much a rookie when it comes to this DCC stuff, as I think is evidenced by my thread here. So, I wanted to update it because I had another first tonight, which was a result of the sound installation.

So, I realized today that I had a spare DCC decoder now just taking up space. All of my other engines are DC. The only DCC is the Berk, which I just added the Tsunami to. Not only that, none of the other DC engine are even DCC ready. And, many of them are of the Bachmann Thomas line. I remembered so posts in the Thomas and Friends section with some links to some DCC installs to some of the Bachmann Thomas line of engines, so I decided that would be a good project for the evening.

Long story short is that my Bachmann HO Spencer is now DCC equipped (with the stock DCC decoder that came out of the Berk), and I got a cool lesson in DCC hard wiring. So.. up to 2 DCC equipped engines on the layout. Hey, it's a start. 

Just know that there is a lot of valuable information that you forum members (and Bachmann Admin) share/provide here that help rookies like me figure things out that are otherwise not so straight forward.. and it is greatly appreciated.

BTW - up next is my Bachmann HO N&W Class J #611 - Will be using the same Tsunami decoder, but the Southern Steam version for that one. That engine is at the Bachmann Service Dept right now.. so, whenever it makes its way back home... 

And yes, the kids get to blow the horn and ring the bell. My wife, she just rolls here eyes at me. 

BTW Terry, where are you in FL? I'm in Jacksonville.

bump

Just thought I'd share the results of my very first sound install. Really, it's my first install of anything at all of this type of thing. I haven't even done a DCC install on a DC loco yet (though that's coming down the road).

Anyway, much thanks to Jonathan for his thread which was the only reason this was a success for me. I would really love to see more threads like that showing installs with pictures/videos and descriptions of the steps for different types of locos. I can't begin to describe how much help they are to the beginner and inexperienced modeler.

Anyway, here is a video I shot shortly after the install. Nothing fancy or prototypical.. just some fun, enjoy:

http://vimeo.com/38481117

OK, the decoder and speaker finally showed up at my LHS. Probably won't do business with them anymore... unfortunate.

Anyway, I wanted to thank you Jonathan for your guide posted here. It was a HUGE help and made the process a SNAP. I had no spare 8-pin plug in connector, so I just cut the one off of the DCC decoder that came with the engine. Would have been nice to keep it, but not a big deal. Anyway, the process way VERY straight forward and simple. thanks to your help (and the input of others).

I have a few tweaks to make, but am loving it so far.. and most importantly... my son went nuts when we fired it up for the first time.  --> Which happened after a short embarrassing few moments of thinking I did something wrong or that my Bachmann EZ Command Controller may not work with the decoder. When I first powered up the unit after installation, the idle sounds came on, but I could not get the loco do anything else.. no other sounds, it wouldn't move, nothing. So I did some Google research and document research and was drawing a blank. Then it hit me (DUH STUPID) that I was still trying to operate the loco on the preset channel I had set with the other decoder, and not the default channel 3. So, once I realized that... well, 

Anyway, here is a little video I shot last night after we got her up and running. Nothing crazy fancy:

http://vimeo.com/38481117

Jonathan, we spoke briefly about this installation a few weeks a go in another thread. I'm about to begin the installation process in my own Berk of the same decoder and speaker, following your steps. (Though I'm pretty frustrated that my LHS has taken 2 weeks to get the decoder and speaker in when I could have had in two days ordering online... that's what I get for supporting my LHS, oh and it cost more).

Anyway, I had a question come up before I get to the installation. I have the standard run of the mill Bachmann EZ Command DCC controller and no extra power booster to my layout (a standard 4x8 layout). Do you forsee any issues using this controller to program the Tsunami decoder, especially concerning power? I was reading somewhere else concerning this sort of topic and it got me thinking and I am REAL GREEN in these matters. Thanks.

And: Stepney the 'Bluebell' Engine and Sodor Adventures:

Both of your layouts looks really cools as well from the pictures you posted. Some very creative ideas in both, and you can see that a lot of work have gone into both as well. Would be cool to see some video of trains running on both.

Hopefully I'm about a week or so away from having a working sound equipped loco on my layout, but modern steam.. nothing Thomas... yet.

Quote from: DinoNTrains on February 26, 2012, 06:10:44 PM
Here's my layout so far. And just so people know, this pic was taken awhile ago, so that's why there are some freight cars and stuff laying around the table. They have since been put away.

That layout looks very nice indeed. Really like how you incorporated Tidmouth sheds. I really wish I had room on our layout for the sheds and turntable, but we don't.

Below is a video I took for my nephew to show him the progress of our 4x8 Sodor Island layout, that is loosely based off of the Bachmann Sodor Island demo layout they created. We also run modern American trains on there as well. The layout is very much a work in progress and isn't even close to being finished, as you can see in the video... but we're having fun building it. You can also see where I modified my layout differently from the Bachmann demo layout, if you have seen theirs in person or the pictures of it. One notable feature is that the lower level inner loop has a turnout line that goes through the mountain, and not just through tunnels on the outer portions. I also did not create the port scene at the end of the lower level, for financial reasons. Instead you can see that it is a crane yard, where I have added Cranky and the empty spaces will be a passenger station. Anyway, just thought I would share our Sodor Island progress... also named the J.B. Pepper Sodor Island (in memory of my late grandfather who is responsible for my love of trains).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxi5OvxFh60&list=UUCCFdpXt-D-yp4c5rEJeDlA&index=1&feature=plcp

Just wanted to thank you for your assistance Jonathan. I have the Tsunami Decoder and speaker ordered through my LHS and on its way here. Really looking forward to the installation. I also called your LHS and spoke with a guy there about the 2-8-0 Connie and REALLY want it.. but don't think I can swing it right now unfortunately. My work computer just took a dump. so now I have to replace it.. so now new train right now. 

Would you mind posting the link to the website for your LHS, so I can get the info for the 2-8-0, I just might be interested in snatching it up. My layout has a lower level that has an inner and outer loop. The outer loop has 22 radius turns, so the Bark can negotiate that fine, and does so now with ease. I am looking for the smaller engine so I have a runner with sound for the smaller inner loop.

I have an upper level that also has an outer and inner loop (18 and 15 degree) that will be DC only. In fact, the layout began, and is still being constructed much in the form of the Bachmann Sodor Island Display layout they created. It is my first ever layout I've attempted and I am doing it for my enjoyment, for my son and daughter's enjoyment, and a tribute my my late Grandfather.. who is the reason I enjoy trains so much. Here's a link to a somewhat recent video of what it looks like, if you're interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxi5OvxFh60&list=UUCCFdpXt-D-yp4c5rEJeDlA&index=1&feature=plcp

Thanks for the information. You and I think alike.. I too prefer to see and hold the item before I purchase. I am a hesitant purchaser. It has taken me a LONG time to even take the DCC step, though my layout is a modest 4x8 and only a small number of engines will be DCC as there are only two track lines that will operate on DCC. Anyway, I am also in a serious dilemma as to which engine to purchase that comes with sound installed. I want Bachmann, but don't have a fortune to spend. I also don't want an engine that has the Civil War appearance, which to me the 4-4-0 engines seem to me to have. The 4-6-0 engines kind of have that appearance as well. I need something that will run on 18 degree radius track and has a little more modern appearance.. and good sound.

Do you have suggestions for such a loco?

Jonathan, I have this same locomotive and have been itching to get some sound going. I am finally going to take the DCC jump on my layout and this will be my first sound equipped engine. I say why not jump in with both feet and do a sound install myself (I'm also going to buy a sound equipped loco too, just not sure which one yet).

Anyway, could you be sou kind as to provide a reputable link as to where to purchase the Tsunami Decoder and speaker you used? Or, did you purchase them locally at your hobby dealer? I have a few locally, but they do not stock things like this in store and they are NOT cheap... the stuff they stock here are usually significantly overpriced, and I guess I can't blame them. Anyway, didn't know if you had an online vendor you liked to use. I have one I like on ebay, but they do not sell these two items.

Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Chuck

Nah, it's not a rail issue. It's not derailing. I think I may put it on the tracks tonight and let the wheels cog up and take a picture to show what it's doing. The front set of drive wheels actually seem to come out of the groove they sit in a bit, at least one side does (from what I remember). Maybe I'll try and get some close up video of it too. Kind of a strange thing.