What is wrong with this Class J 4-8-4 wiring harness?

I just decided to install a decoder in my new Bachmann Class J 4-8-4 that has never been run on my tracks. When I opened it up I thought I was in some big trouble with some seriously shorted wiring.

I was going to take a photo to post, but when I went to the Bachmann parts site I saw the exact same condition on the new part as on my Steamer. baffled:

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=272

So now I’m totally confused. If I send back the new steamer to Bachmann, am I going to receive the same harness back? Are these shorted out or not?

 

There is nothing wrong with your loco. The wires are laquer coated. They are not shorting out. It was Bachmann's first go at keeping the wires as flexible as possible between the loco and tender. The Heavy Mountain is exactly the same way. They have changed to a coated flexible wire on the the H4 (2-6-6-2) and the Ten Wheeler (4-6-0) now because of comments just like yours.

 

Thanks that makes me feel a little better, I was really surprised when I saw this because it looked like they melted or something.

 

Yeah, that picture would sure throw you off track unless you knew what the deal was, I said "SHORT" when I first saw this.

fatalxsunrider43

 

My nephew has a J class that did have problems with the wires shorting, I think the laquer coating does wear off over time if the wires rub together.

 

Oh, that’s not good. I wonder if there is something that I can use to protect it or at least repair it if it starts falling apart.

 

If you are worried about the wires, while you have the tender apart for the decoder, spread the wires apart and paint them black. It will help hide them and add another layer of protection.

 

Thanks , thats a good idea. at least then I will be able to tell if they are start falling apart.

 

Mine shorted out at the first curve it came to. I just used the decoder wiring and ripped that junk out of there.

 

A DZ125 will fit above the chassis ahead of the cab quite nicely.

David B

 

One of the things I liked about this Spectrum was that it’s already to go with sound. It already has a place to put the speaker and except for a few drop in decoders, this was the easiest decoder install I’ve ever done.
I should start saving the longer pieces of decoder wire that I cut off so that I can replace the wires if I have to.