I've done eight conversions with XL units and they all worked perfectly.  Sounds like you are due a replacement decoder.

I like the idea for the coal load.  I'll do the same with my installation.
I made a dummy for the XL 1961 decoder, and it fit the tender nicely.  The dimensions are very close to the Tsunami micro.
I'm going to order the 1961 for my loco.

I have installed eight XL decoders and they all function perfectly.  All they need is a better speaker than the one supplied by XL.

The comment someone made about a bad XL may be related to a faulty installation.

Do you have the part number for the sound decoder?

I've received my replacement 4-6-0.  I attached the XL 1911, and tested the unit.  The loco runs well and the sounds great.  The chuff was synchronized right out of the box. As I noted above, the included 18mm speaker is not the best, and I was able to much improve the sound by using an MRC speaker.

Unfortunately, there is no way to fit the XL 1911 in the tender.  Bachmann provides very little room for a decoder, and placed the 8 pin connector in the worst possible place, in the center of the circuit board.  My measurements indicate that I'll need a decoder which fits within a 1" x 0.5 " x 0.25" space.   Digitrax has an SD166D decoder and claims it will fit the Bachmann 4-6-0, but my measurements indicate that it's too big.

XL has an N-scale steam decoder model 1961.  They claim it's the "worlds smalled N-sale steam sound decoder".  Is there any reason this would not work for the HO 4-6-0?

I haven't been able to locate the focus distance specification on the website.  I've found a number of YouTube videos using the SpyTec camera.  It appears to have a minimum focus distance between six to eight inches.

I've built a big inventory of electronic hardware to support my DCC, lighting and animation projects.  I've got resistors, capacitors, diodes, led lights and a wide assortment of other bits.  I've ordered most of it from AliExpress.  The quality is excellent, prices are very good and delivery is generally free.  The only downside is delivery time.  Most items are shipped from China, and can take anywhere from a week to a month.

Here's an example of a resistor assortment - 2600 pieces for $12, including a storage box.  I have this kit, and I've used it for dozens of projects. 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32836787997.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1fcc356206ua0q&algo_pvid=e86941e4-074e-47a9-a129-ade5a2350ba5&algo_expid=e86941e4-074e-47a9-a129-ade5a2350ba5-0&btsid=0ab6f8ad15868617931153205e9eb4&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

You can find all the same material on Amazon and get faster delivery, but the price will higher by a factor of three or four times.

Can you tell me what the minimum useful focus distance is?  I found a YouTube video showing a closeup camera image which appears to be focusing at about 2 in.

I have started creating video recordings using a camera mounted on a flatcar.  I'm using an SQ11 camera.  It is a 0.9 in cube with a micro-SD card installed.  I have it attached with double-sided tape.  I can easily remove the camera and view the recordings on my PC or TV.
The shortcoming of this camera is that it's minimum focus length is 50cm (20 in.), so nearby objects are not in sharp focus.   Can anyone recommend a similar size camera with better near-distance focusing ability?

I've used the XL's in Kato, Proto 1000 and 2000, and Athearn non-DCC-ready diesels.  I haven't done any Bachmann loco's, but I don't see why the approach would be any different.  You have to wire to both rail pickups, both motor brush terminals and lights.  There a lot's of YouTube videos available to provide guidance.

The seven XL 1611's I have in service sound great and work perfectly.  The sound is far better than the one SoundTraxx in my fleet.  I have eight more 1611's arriving in today's mail to support my DCC conversion project.

The only complaint I have is that the 1611's I received have a pigtailed resistor and condenser (?) hanging from the decoder board.  That feature makes installation more difficult.

The single XL 1911 that I have in my inventory doesn't have any dangling components.  I also ordered some XL 1910's, which have the 8-pin plug integral to the circuit board.  The 1910's also did not have any dangling components.

I'm going to use an XL 0001911 decoder which includes sound.  I test-fitted it when I had the tender open, and it appears to fit.  The XL unit includes a thin 18mm speaker, which fits under the existing circuit board.

I've converted seven old diesel locos using XL 0001611 sound decoders.  I have six more (equally old) which I'm going to covert to DCC.  None of them are DCC ready.  At $29 per decoder (including speaker) they are a great buy.  The included speaker is of mediocre quality, so I use MRC 1519 speakers for better sound.  The 1611 has a choice of six prime mover sounds which allow me to select the correct prime mover for each locomotive.

The tender opened easily, and there is an eight-pin jumper installed.  I checked it for continuity, and it is OK.  The locomotive is therefore faulty, and I have ordered an exchange from the retailer.
Thanks again to all for your advice.

Thanks for all of the responses.  There is no jumper in the box.  I'll open the tender to see what's inside...hopefully no jumper, which would explain why it does not run.  I'll post my findings later today.

I just received my new Bachmann item 52202 52" 4-6-0, and I am preparing to install an 8-pin decoder.  It does not run on DC, which I presume is correct.

There are no instructions on how to install the decoder, or how to disassemble the tender.

How do I disassemble the tender to access the decoder connection?

Thank you.