Yes I think you could do it, but start with a small HO decoder, like the Zimo (which has about 2 amps max motor current)... (not all HO decoders have that high a current capability, and not all can take G scale DCC voltages)

I would also find a way to put a speaker in it. I've done them on the underside of the roof on other locos:

https://elmassian.com/index.php/large-scale-train-main-page/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/berlyn-motive-power/casey-jones-rail-truck

Greg

If I remember correctly, half the circuitry is on the flicker board, and there is some on another board which might have been removed or damaged.

Did you read George Schreyer's stuff on this? Basically the bible.

Greg

They do, consulted TOC. He also has some of the replacement slip joints as I previously offered, but you can modify yours as also shown.

Greg

And the cab number is the RF channel number.

I don't think so, I think the change was introduced mid-production.

I'll ask the expert to be sure.

Greg

In 99% of aristo locos j2 socket is not connected, but there were a few, so, yes, check. Almost all decoders that had J2 pins had nothing connected to them... the exception was qsi which had the speaker connected. I do not believe your incarnation of the socket follows that standard.

Also your change to the smoke connections, while a better idea, does not follow the Aristo standard which predates Bachmann by many years...

The J2 pins are free to use as a manufacturer wants... the specific layout by Bachmann does not establish a standard in my opinion... but believe what you want... It's not necessarily a Bachmann standard unless you can show some printed standard that is also implemented consistently for all the Bachmann locos... I doubt that is true... (but feel free to point out proof)  but I know you are the "father" of the Bachmann

 socket, so I understand why you are doggedly pursuing this... does not matter, TRUST NO SOCKET is what people have learned...

By the way, the QSI Titan decoders used J2, which included speaker, chuff trigger, class lights, cab light and firebox lights.

So the Dash 9 does have the speaker pins in place, but J2 pin 10 is firebox on steamers, and front number boards on the dash 9... small differences, but not a standard... and not really published except in each loco manual.

I don't know where you got your information on the D cut axles on Aristo, there were very few made, and again you are not an Aristo expert (I don't need a lesson on wheels and flanges thank you very little). I think your feedback on the Aristo D cut wheels was based on the sintered metal they were made from, which had a very poor finish from the factory... but a few minutes cleaning the muck off the tread made them 100% better, but again, very few people know this. Same thing happened with the sintered steel wheels on the 1:29 AML rolling stock.


So, you have not explicitly stated that the wheels are on the original style tapered axles, but it seems so... too bad.. maybe Bachmann will re-think when/if they make the Aristo steamers... THOSE wheels have a terrible contour, just terrible...


I am still waiting on how the back to back and flange thickness came out... hopefully it is better than we got with Aristo....

Stan, you missed the point on a few items so I would like to clarify, since I still would like answers.

Short note on the socket/smoke connections:
Small clarification on the smoke connector, was never properly controlled by any decoder as I remember, and you are indeed correct, the original Aristo implementation was to be just jumpering the 2 pins, having the Bachmann socket have a logic level is an improvement, and if it works great!

Most plug and play decoders ignored the smoke pins because of this history.

The J2 pins are free to use, but saying Bachmann meets that standard is a bit tongue in cheek, there is NO standard. By the way, congrats on supplying the plug in board with the wires brought out, although it would be nicer if there were screw terminals, but I understand the cost issue. It's definitely a good move anyway.


On the wheels:
Apparently you do not understand the "D cut" axle "story" at all, but you are not an Aristo expert. Only the prime movers in the very last production runs of the Dash 9 and SD45 had them.

The "D cut" is not about the wheel contour. It is about how the wheel connects to the axle. The the traditional tapered axle and wheel with the conical hole is IMPOSSIBLE to gauge properly. This method was used on all the different wheels, but the 2 axle block used on the FA and eggliner is a different taper than the "Prime Mover" gearboxes used on the 3 axle diesels (and the GP40).

The "D cut" axles allow you to add a shim to correct the normally under gauge situation, and slightly more complex way to increase the gauge.

This inability to re-gauge the wheels has plagued Aristo forever. Perhaps someone can eventually convince Kader to do this, since it WAS produced at one time.

I will be interested to see what the back to back and flange thickness comes out, as this did vary over time, usually under specs, but one loco (Aristo 2-8-0 Consolidation) was overgauge.

In any case, bravo to Bachmann asking Kader to make improvements.

if you have any more info on the other little improvements, I would appreciate it.

Greg

So, looks like (from teardown by someone who has received his)

The socket is the updated pin number (from the Aristo >> Bachman)
The J1 connector is completely backwards compatible to the earliest Aristo, so all PNP stuff should run
The extra lighting is on the second connector (there is no standard for this, but the pins are there)
A plug in board with wires is provided to hardware a decoder
the wheels are apparently the original style shiny chrome plated types
NO information yet if the updated "D cut" wheels and axles are used
NO information yet on actual back to back, wheel contour, etc.
Extra switch provided to turn off porch lights, etc, sort of hidden (need screwdriver to move)
packaging better than original Aristo
handrails installed at factory
u-shaped main metal frame/chassis looks same
NO information on weights yet

Also, only the version 7 has the ball bearings on the axles, right?

A spotting guide item if you are removing the bottom cover, not opening the tender.

Greg

I do believe that the OEM soundtraxx board did not have a chuff input either, but I could be in error.

Greg

I would trace the leftover wire before I connected it to anything... in the shay the chuff contacts are hard to get to...

Did you look at the wiring diagram? The contacts are in the cylinders...

Greg

THANK YOU!

I bumped the "chassis identification" post to the top of the new posts to make it easy to find.... very helpful..

Thanks for having the spirit!

Greg

Bump post to bring to top so perhaps administrators will make sticky...

Greg

Great, just a new administrator popped up with the "new" board, so was curious...

Since we are back and want to focus on the positive and problem solving topics:

1. can you un-sticky the free upgrade boards for the Peter Witt trolleys... the reason should be clear.

2. can we sticky more of Loco Bill's posts, particularly the Big Hauler "version" one that so many people need, and we refer people from other forums... If it was a sticky it would be so much more helpful to be able to just point people to the forum, instead of having to find and post the complex link to the topic/thread.

Thanks, Greg

This is why I said it is an OEM version.... with pins...

The TSU-4400 from Soundtraxx has no pins...