I have an HO Bachmann 4-4-0 to which I would like to add a decoder or possibly a sound decoder. This is the pre-DCC ready model (51114), which runs just fine on DC. I can't find any record of anyone in the forum who has actually written about fitting one of these with a decoder. Has anyone in the forum installed a decoder in one of these, or is there a good reason why? I'd really appreciate any feedback or recommendations.
I have a Varney Docksider 0-4-0 (which is likely quite similar to your project) on my workbench waiting for that to happen, but I probably won't get to it until June. I plan on making a video about it as the last in a series that I have already posted on YouTube (except the latest one that is stuck in editing). Once that's done, I will probably also convert a 40(?) Ton GE switcher that is also a 4-wheeler. I look forward to seeing what other information you find and what you end up doing.
It might be a bit difficult. I'm assuming your 4-4-0 is the older design with the motor in the tender and a drive shaft going into the rear of the cab. The newer DCC and sound version is totally redesigned with a new can motor in the locomotive itself, leaving room for the decoder in the tender. You might not have enough space in your older model. Find the smallest decoder you can (ESU Micro or Z scale Digitrax). The wiring is pretty straightforward; I don't remember if the locomotive has any pickups though.
Even older. 1940's era. And, it's an 0-4-0 and not a 4-4-0 with no tender at all. The motor is at a 30 to 45 degree angle but there's some room above the worm gear (if I'm careful), and maybe beside the motor. But all that assumes that I don't have to replace the original (probably 3-pole) motor.
As Mr. Trainiac assumed, the Bachmann 4-4-0 is the old version with the motor in the tender and a drive shaft going into the rear of the cab. I'm in my first venture into HO, as all my 12 or so years of model railroading has been exclusively N scale. Haven't opened the 4-4-0 up yet, but I can tell that it takes it's track power from the right (engineer's) side of the locomotive's front wheels, (rear wheels have traction tires,) and the left side of the front tender trucks. The tender's rear trucks are not transferring any correct, although they have axel wipes like the tender's front trucks. Also, the tender's rear trucks have their insulated wheels on the opposite side than those on the front trucks. Is this normal for HO?
If the rear truck has pickup wipers and the wheels are insulated on the opposite side, then it can be used to collect power from the opposite rail. If what you say is true, and this truck is totally isolated with no wiring to the pickups, you always have the option to add it. For such a small locomotive, it would probably benefit from additional pickup. The only room for a decoder is probably in the tender. They usually have a pretty tall wood load, but I don't know how much internal space is taken up by the motor. If you really run out of space, an alternative would be to hide a decoder in a trailing passenger or freight car that is permanently coupled to the tender. If they have metal wheels, you can try to add even more pickup on those trucks too.
Great information, Mr. Trainiac. I found these images, supposedly from the Bachmann manual, but they don't seem very detailed.
