Yes you can. but how easy it will be depends on whether the couplers are on the trucks or on the car itself. If the former, replace the trucks with trucks that have the new couplers. Micro-Trains has been a good source for me. If the couplers are on the car itself, it'll be a little more difficult. You'll have to find a proper replacement coupler. There are a lot out there to chose from. From there it's matter of your skills.

The coupler on the engine or tender is another problem. If you can find a replacement that can be installed, fine. If it turns out to be a problem, you can use special "first car" that has a truck with the old style coupler in front and a new truck with the "EZ-Mate" in back.

It will probably work when first installed, but over time, connections will deteriorate and you will have nothing but trouble. I think the answer is 4 or 5 rail joiners soldered together interspersed with joiners with leads attached hooking up a couple of sections further on.

On temporary layouts (and some permanent ones), I purchase one or two of the Bachmann terminal 10" straight tracks with the plug-in feeders on them. Since they have terminals on both sides, you can "daisy-chain them". Because of the way Bachmann turnout controllers work, I usually have extra coiled up red wire feeders. I just cut two apart and splice them together so I have a female-female extension. I then use that to connect one terminal track section to another. The first goes from the unused side of the main power connection to the first expansion section, and so on and so on. Position the terminal sections strategically around the layouts. You have to make sure you have the polarity right. I used to use my multi-meter to check it, but it's easier to momentarily touch the connector to the track section connector. If nothing happens, you're all set; just finish pushing it on. If the power shorts, just flip the connector over. You can splice and connect the red power wires, but my method is a little easier and less permanent. I would stay away from the Bachmann feeder section with the wires coming out the bottom. They require another spliced connection that reduces flexibility.

For more permanent layouts, I use rail joiners with attached leads. Replace the existing joiners with ones with the leads attached, and connect the wires.

Is this what you are looking for? I have it in my 547 sq/ft condo in Marathon, if that's small enough for you. The outer oval is Bachmann 19" radius EZ-Track, while the inside is a mix of 15" radius and a bunch of odds and ends I assembled sorta like a jigsaw puzzle. There is also an independent circular track in the middle so I can run two trains simultaneously.


HMMM. Seems I can't easily post a photo. Oh well.

I had the same problem with a combination baggage/passenger UP car. I now have a set of "Micro-Trains"
Barber Roller Bearing Trucks with Long Extension Magna-Matic Couplers". I don't like how they look very much and am disappointed that they have plastic wheels. I think the best solution would be grafting your couplers of choice to the existing trucks. I would have done it, but at 81 and with crippling arthritis, I took the easy way out.

Send it in under warranty for repair. I bought one of these last summer and have had nothing but trouble with it. It has been back to Bachmann service three times now. The last thing I heard from them is that they want to replace it with another model. Unfortunately, I have assembled a Crescent Express passenger train that matches this locomotive, so I want this particular locomotive. I get the feeling that these have some deep-seated intrinsic problem. Unless you are in a situation like me, opt for a replacement of some other model.

Thanks for your valuable contribution. Although well intended and most likely correct, it won't work for me for a couple of reasons. First, since I am in the Florida Keys, there is no such thing as a "local model railroad shop". Second, at 81 and with crippling arthritis, I have no desire to become a DCC repair guru. I bought the Bachmann stuff because they seemed to have a good reputation and the best variety of equipment. Luckily, the two locomotives are still under warranty and are back at Bachmann for repair or replacement. My concern is what I can do when they are out of warranty. I might be able to handle changing out a factory replacement component, but that's about it, hence my specific questions. I do appreciate the information about the 8 vs 9 pin decoder sockets.

Hopefully the repairs will hold, and if not, replacement decoders will become available from Bachmann. Regarding the sound functions; I was very impressed with the variety and quality of the sound effects. They still work perfectly.

Thank you for your prompt response.

To answer your questions. First, did I do a factory reset of the decoder? I have not, as the instructions that came with the locomotive specifically say : "If a Bachmann decoder-equipped locomotive has been operated exclusively with a Bachmann E-Z-Command controller, this step is not necessary since the E-Z-Command controller does not reprogram configuration variables." I have only used the specified Bachmann controller. I only wish it were that easy; I have gone through the E-Z-Command manual and can find no instructions for resetting the decoder. In addition, the failure of the decoders does not appear to be a configuration change, but rather a deterioration of function.

The DigiTrax controllers I am looking at for the "Light Mountain" are the DN136D, the DZ123, the DZ126, or the DZ146 From my initial analysis, it looks like the DN136 is the most capable of the group. They do not list a direct replacement for the "Ten-Wheeler", hence my inquiry.

Thank you for the additional source.

The primary reason I am interested in DigiTrax, is because of their cross-reference. Plus, from my limited experience, they seem to be in the forefront of the field.

In a previous thread, I discovered that Bachmann is not presently in the position to offer replacement decoders for their locomotives. Since I have two of these with defective decoders (the motion ones; the sound works fine), I decided to do a little research to find out what was available. DigiTrax has a cross-reference page on their website that I found quite useful. One of my locomotives is the "Light Mountain", for which DigiTrax lists 4 different replacement decoders. This seems to solve one problem for me. The second locomotive is a "Ten-Wheeler" that I got with a "whistle Stop" train set. This locomotive is not listed in the cross-reference, but the Bachmann "Consolidation" (2-8-0) is listed. Since this is of about he same size and period as the "Ten-Wheeler", it is possible that one of the two decoders DigiTrax lists for the "Consolidation" is a possible replacement for the "Ten-Wheeler".

Since the Bachmann people came forward in my previous thread to answer my questions, I hope they are able to answer a couple more. First, does the "Ten-Wheeler" share the same decoder as the "Consolidation"? (If so, there is a good possibility that the DigiTrax replacement will also fit.) Secondly, are the decoders hardwired in or do they use the standard 8-pin connector? I am not to the level yet that I want to dig into one of these miniscule units without all the knowledge I can accumulate.)

Here is a link to the DigiTrax cross-reference page I found useful : https://www.digitrax.com/products/engine-matrix/decoder/.

Thank you. I am a rank amtuer at this, so bear with me. You seem to be saying that the motor control decoder (for lack of a better term) is a separate unit from the sound decoder. That makes sense, since the sounds on both of my locomotives work fine. At the state of my current knowledge, I hate to get into disassembling a locomotive,, but it seems I will have to take that leap.

That was a little harsh, so let me put it another way. Does Bachmann make their own proprietary modules, or do they source them from outside, such as the resources suggested in Post #2?

I find this to be quite disappointing. What you are telling me is that you can not (or will not) supply spare parts for your product. Your recommended solution is obtain spare parts from someplace else? This does not appear to be a reasonable business model to me.

However, if this is the only way to go, can you suggest a particular model or manufacturer of substitute encoders? You certainly are in a better position to make a good recommendation than I would be.

In the past year, I have purchased two Bachmann DCC locomotives, a "Ten Wheeler" and a "Light Mountain". Although they were treated with utmost care and operated only with Bachmann equipment, both failed during the first few months of use. Both failures are obviously DCC related. I have sent them back for repair under warranty, but I am quite concerned over the viability of the N scale DCC products. My concerns are what do I do after the warranty runs out and potentially extended turn-around times if further repair is required.

I deally, I would like to be able to keep a spare encoder for each locomotive so I could quickly put them back into service myself quickly. Are spare encoders available?