It's the oddest thing, there is power going to the LED but of unknown voltage. When power pack voltage is increased the square portion of the LED just about comes on, the faintest of light, if you weren't looking you would not notice. It's possibly the LED itself.

At this point I don't know if I'll live with it or send it back to Bachmann.

Thanks to all who commented!

Since I don't have DCC and use Analog DC I removed the decoder and install the two triangular plugs provided to make the locomotive run in DC. The problem I encountered is the headlamp fails to light, thinking the jumper plugs were in the wrong position I reversed which corners, the locomotive ran but still the headlamp failed to light. 

Is this normal operation in DC analog or must it be run in DCC to get headlamp to light?

Your thoughts will be appreciated.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,24182.0.html

In a month I'll be hitting 60, I've been model railroading since the late 50's, its been a great ride!
I would say that in the last 10 to 12 years we have been in the "Golden Age of Model Railroading",
it is at its pinnacle and I'm sure glad that I have been involved.

I have quite a bid of the newer Hornby and Bachmann Branchline equipment, code 83  works fine the older equipment with larger flanges need code 100. Most of my equipment and accessories come from Hattons in Liverpool, they provide good services.
I also belong to BRMNA, British Railway Modellers of North America based out of Canada. They my have some additional information for you.

Best Regards

Richg,

Thanks a whole lot. Here is another photo with lamp blazing.

Thank you for the photo education. You learn something everyday!
Hope this works.

Ok, trying again to post photos.

Here is the photobucket link;


http://s147.photobucket.com/user/Philc40/library/Bachmann%204-4-0%20American

Here is a photo of the finished locomotive with a Soundtraxx DCC Mobile Decoder, new pilot wheels (28" dia.)  And tender wheels (30" dia.)

I did go with the 1 mm bit, drilled from both ends and met in the middle. The rear was a straight hole the front has to be done on a slight angle.

Now its time to put it all back together.

I have an idea to DCC wire the headlamp on the Jupiter & #119?  Frirst, I take the wire off in the rear of the cab since this is used to operate the lamp in DC mode and wouldn't be needed for DCC. I then drill a 1/8" hole with extended bit thru to the front of the boiler to the area of the front pilot holding screw, make any modifications to the area to be able to route the new headlamp wires back thru the hole to the tender and  the decoder.

Any feedback on this procedure would be greatly appreciated.

Quote from: Johnson Bar Jeff on July 18, 2013, 11:06:58 AM
Frequently there seems to be a desire for a Spectrum-quality "Jupiter" and "U.P. #119."

I'm in for both.   

4" long, 1.5" high and 1.125" wide

I'm from the South's most northern city, Y'all know what city? Hint, Home of the "Standard Railroad of the World"

You can also try Hattons.

http://www.ehattons.com/stocklist/results.aspx?searchfield=30-900&Submit=Search