I've hard wired mine too when I changed the decoder .  But the draw bar form a Lt Mtn. will work , it's the same as the 2-8-0 .

I'm pretty sure that the coupler is held on with a push-in type device .  You should be able to use a small screwdriver or a knife blade to pry it loose .  I can't see any reason why it would have been made so that the whole pilot has to come off .  Look at the exploded drawing here in the parts service and info section .

  Um ....Kato ......   Yea it's a western 4-8-4 , but I hear it runs great .

If this is an older locomotive and the tender wheels are not wanting to roll you may have a problem . The older models are subject to "zinc pest" , the metal they were made from is likely contaminated with other metals . This makes the zinc swell and eventually rot . There's nothing much that you can do about it , there was a long discussion on Trainboard.com a couple of years ago when someone tried to fix an older 4-4-0 without much success .  If the wheels roll a little  you may try to gently bend the frames out very slightly , but be careful as the metal is fragile . Also as BM said , check the connection between the loco and tender to see if the tender is forcing the loco to loose contact with the track .

Quote from: Hunt on May 29, 2016, 08:46:53 AM

Quote from: Mike C on May 28, 2016, 10:34:15 AM

Which DCC system are you using ?    If you have Easy DCC I don't think that you can do any CV changes , But if you have Dyanimis , or an NCE or Digitrax system  you can just go into program mode to bring up CV 8.

EasyDCC is made by CVP Products and is capable of programming all CVs.

E-Z Command Control Center is Bachmann DCC system and it is not capable of programming by user supplied CV number.

Probably I used the wrong name , I was meaning to say the basic Bachmann system can't program CV's .

Quote from: Jimthomason on May 28, 2016, 09:56:12 AM
How do I reboot the decoder?
Jim

Which DCC system are you using ?    If you have Easy DCC I don't think that you can do any CV changes , But if you have Dyanimis , or an NCE or Digitrax system  you can just go into program mode to bring up CV 8.

  Most of the DCC decoders are "dual mode" decoders , meaning that they will run on both DC and DCC .  So as long as you haven't programmed the decoders to run on DCC only they should run on DC  just fine .

 Are the decoders set up to also run on DC ?  If so check that they run on DC . they should run just like the regular DC locos do .  If they run on DC but not on DCC then there is a problem with the DCC system . And if they don't run at all then it is a contact issue with the decoder .

Using the NCE PowerCab , you could set both addresses the same . This will work as long as they run well together .  Or you could consist them together .  This will work easy as long as they run well together .  Now if they don't run at close to the same speed you will need to  speed match them . Easy way is to use CV 5 and 6 to get the mid range and high end speeds to match .  They don't have to match exact , but the closer they are the better they will run .

I'd try setting the addresses the same first . They should run fairly close together .  But if you want to consist them , just read the instructions in the PowerCab manual , it's pretty easy to do .

The boiler shape is much better !  But the bands are a bit too big .  Just constructive criticisim .

Quote from: Rheingold on April 27, 2016, 04:50:46 PM
Which decoder could I buy to replace the built-in decoder?

I like the Econami decoders by Soundtraxx . Have done both the 2-8-4 and the 4-6-2 with them . They are on sale this week too ! The Loksound decoder is also a good choice but is a bit more expensive .  You can find instructions to change the decoder here http://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=35889.0

CV 113 is not supported in these decoders . The only way to mute them is with F8 .  The only other option is to replace the decoders with a full function Tsunami , or their Econami decoder .  They along with Loksound decoders have a time out CV that mutes the sound after a period of time .

 I use Fox Valley metal wheelsets . I think that their .553 sizes fit Bachmann cars . That size also fits atlas and microtrains cars .

This sounds like the motor has a broken wire on the inside . Pretty much impossible to repair , you will probably need a new motor . I'd return it under warranty for replacement .

 Pretty sure if the decoder is blown I could install a new one . I have a few old decoders that I know work , it would be different than the stock one though .