I got a used Spectrum 2-10-0 and modified it to look more like the ones on the Minneapolis, Northfield and southern. I model the Twin cities in the late fifties and MNS scraped there steam in the early 50s ,but it is my layout so I do not care. My freelance Twin city transfer (TCT) picked it up for scrap value and runs it when needed.

The engine runs good and has amazing amount of detail.   Here is a short video of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1_Trud4I-I

This was my thought. If the is a mechanical problem it can cause a  electrical problem. Just curious  did you say the engine was running at 13 volts this seems high to me as at full power with a train  the drivers should be slipping or the motor will start running hot.

Just a thought. However I have very  little DCC experance my self.

I agree. However I have ordered parts many times for kitbash projects and It is great to be able to see what parts are available on line with photos to find what I need.

       I used Bachmann tender to engine plugs on my projects for easy disconnecting of the tender.
I do release them from the 2-8-0 arrangement and mount the more like the newer release with the wire coming from the tender and plugging in to tender. 
 

Do you have a way to run it on dc with out the decoder. This way you can check to make sure it is not some mechanical problem. For example something in the valve gear. I have had many problems only to find some thing simple like a tiny part or screw binding .

Help this helps

Used a motor from I think the  closing mech. Sorry for the miss spelling in previous post had spell check set to spanish.

I have seen.a video from Sams trains (England) we're he usted a cd / dvd motor  to repower a ringfield motor. It looks similar to the Bachmann pancake motor . It seemed to run much improved in the video.

Just a thought. Hope you find the part that you need

 I want to say that Bachmann has great parts support . I have been working on a Kitbashed HO  2-6-8-0 and need some parts. Bachmann's on line parts and fast shipping are great (5 days from order)

The engine is not Bachmann ,but a Mantua 2-6-6-2 converted to 2-6-8-0 with Riv Hvy Pacific boiler
I wanted The Bachmann Hvy mountion boiler ,but it is too long for my frame. I am using a Spectrum tender and brake rigging and wire and plugs from the Bachmann parts catalog.

   I wish all Mfg had the same parts  availability

I still do not have any HO track  permanently down yet. But am working on a HO kitbash.  Adding Spectrum tender trucks to a short vandy tender for a 0-6-0 and have a Pacific boiler and Bachmann tender going on a Mantua 2-6-6-2.  

I just finish wiring the Bachmann decoder I took out of a 0-6-0  here are some photos / video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttGqW5jF4bo

Nice job. 


  What I like about kitbashing Bachmann is there great online  parts catalog. Some other Companies  can take hours to find a parts and when you do, NO PHOTOS only the part number.

Thank you for the photo. I picked up some  caboose trucks with contacts and will use these. I also have bought used Spectrum tenders with there is a good deal on them from ebay and scavenge the trucks.

I have wired in a basic  decoder from a Bachmann 0-6-0 that I picked up cheap also. This same engine gave up it gear cover so I could add a pair of brake shoes to  the the rear drivers on the 0-4-0. It is too hard to add the rest.

Thanks. I am working on a old Riv 0-4-0 and am adding tender pick up to it.thought if bachmann had a spectrum tender it would save a lot of time.

Here is My weathered and detailed Bachmann USRA 0-6-0 with DCC. The wires out the back will connect to this tender when I add contact trucks.

Progressive rail is a newer railroad serving the twin cities  and south to Northfield ( MN ) on some former MNS trackage and now have added other lines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNO4-skpOsg

Is there a spectrum slop back tender with electrical contacts? I have a project and this would save a lot of time.

I just switched from N to HO scale and am building a switching layout based in the Twin cities ( MN ) in the mid fifties. I pick up a used Bachmann 0-6-0 with full valve gear and started sanding off the boiler piping and added wire to it. This engine really runs nice and with some added details is a great value.

I have since got a used DCC 0-6-0 and am going to mount my modified boiler to it and now have a spectrum tender that I will wire to the engine. This newer DCC mech also runs very good.

** side point, do not switch the gear cover screws on the older plastic axle sleeve 0-6-0. The longer front screw will go into the intermediate gear and  distort it. Guess how I know?

I will post photos when I am done with this engine. Maybe a video when I have track to run it on.