Last night I found Model Railroaders review of the 63" driver version and they describe it as very stiff initially but that it smoothed out considerably after a break-in period.  Good news.  I think I will run it for an hour backward and forward and report back on how improvement I see.  I'll also lubricate the gearbox.  I don't think it is the decoder as it came  from another locomotive that ran well.  -  Nevin

I have installed the decoders in these Spectrum 4-6-0 engines and have started running them.  They are both are pretty tight and rough runners compared to the Spectrum 2-8-0.  They require considerably more voltage to get moving.  I have fiddled with the CV's and that has improved things somewhat.  My question is to those that have these engines:  How much will things improve with the break-in period?  Is there anything I can adjust or alter mechanically that will help smooth them out? 

My spectrum 2-8-0 has spoiled me, it such a good runner. 

-  Nevin

It is a Train Control Systems M1.  The decoder is fine.  The question is which capacitor to clip on the 4-6-0.  TCS has a nice picture showing the installation of their DCC decoder in the Spectrum 2-8-0.  It shows the yellow capacitor that needs to be clipped.  It is probably the big one on the 4-6-0 circuit board.  I just want to make sure before I go after it.   That web site with the picture is: 

http://tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/bsse.html

As an aside, TCS makes good decoders.  Nevin

I opened it up this morning before work and sure enough there is at least 3 yellow capacitors 1 large and 2 small.  Now which do I cut?  The big one? All three?  I wish they would standardize theses circuit boards.  -  Nevin

With every DCC conversion of the 2-8-0 I had to cut a capacitor to get it to run correctly.  When I put the decoder in my 4-6-0 I don't remember seeing a capacitor on the circuit board.  It runs OK but not great.  Before I open the tender up again to look (and figure out how to pack the decoder back in correctly) are there any capacitors on the 4-6-0 board that need snipping?  -  Nevin

I switched the small older style Baldwin tender that comes with the 52 inch driver 4-6-0 with the larger tender that comes with the 63 inch driver 4-6-0 without any problem at all.  The circuit boards were identical.   however, using the small tender with other Bachmann locomotives may be more of a problem.  -  Nevin

I haven't opened it up to look at the circuit board yet but which decoder would everyone recommend for the Baldwin Small Stock Tender (1910-1950) for the 4-6-0?  Is there a sound decoder that will fit? Assuming some minor surgery?  Thanks -  Nevin

Any hints or rumors as to when the next announcement for a Spectrum steam locomotive is going to be?  I keep hoping for a small slide valve 2-8-0 myself.  -  Nevin

No, I wouldn't be interested in a 4-8-0.  -  Nevin

I used to model Sn3 in the 1970's by converting HO MDC engines to Sn3, so I have done more than my share of serious kitbashing to get what I want.  I've also done dozens of DCC conversions so the wiring is no big deal.   I appreciate the information. 

It is disappointing however, that these tenders aren't more interchangeable.  I don't like to do work that I don't have to.  It seems to me that having such like similar plugs implies that we can switch them easily.  I've got enough other difficult projects for my new railroad that a plug and play for this conversion would have been welcome.  Too bad.  However, When you are modeling obscure roads like the Tonopah and Tidewater RR and the Bullfrog Goldfield RR you have to expect some cutting and fitting.   -  Nevin

That is kind of depressing.  I was hoping that it wouldn't be that hard.  -  Nevin

I have a number of Spectrum 4-6-0s that I would like to mate with the Bachmann small Vanderbilt tenders.  I have already noticed an issue with the plugs.  Has anyone successfully put these together?  I would also like to put DCC and sound in these tenders.  Has anyone fitted a Loksound or Tsunami sound into one of these tenders?  I have not opened one up yet so I don't know how much room I have in there.  Thanks -  Nevin

I too, would love to see a turn-of-the-century, state-of-the-art, slide valve consolidation.  A Baldwin catalog engine similar like the 4-6-0 would be perfect. 

In Nevada, the Las Vegas & Tonopah, Bullfrog Goldfield, Tonopah & Tidewater and Tonopah & Goldfield railroads all had similar slide valve 2-8-0's and 4-6-0's before WW I.    -  Nevin

Quote from: japasha on December 05, 2007, 08:29:06 PM
Nevin, the Seelars turntable from Freshwater Models is O scale. That makes it 120 feet long in HO. The smaller one is about 25 feet in ), so it's under 50 feet. You could build one using an Atlas turntable for motion. It will need to be about nine inches in length, the MDC locomotives are slightly longer than that so a ten inch turntable would be better.. The atlas mechanism automatically aligns at 12 degree intervals.  I use them to drive my Walthers 90 foot tables. Not a hard mod.

Actually Freshwater Models now makes a HO version. -  Nevin

Yes, but I model the Tonopah and Tidewater RR, a Nevada Shortline, which used small turn of the century 4-6-0's and 2-8-0s very similar to the Bachmann and Roundhouse engines.  The Sellers turntables are interesting and were used in Nevada, most notably by the V&T.  I don't have lots of room with a 16 inch wide shelf layout.  So a 60 foot turntable might work in my situation. -  Nevin