Fitting Decoders to Bachmann Locos

Choice of equipment

Bachmann can now supply a variety of 2 and 3 function DCC decoders (Branchline Accessories page)

Other main brands available are Digitrax, Roco, Zimo and ZTC and all four have websites and distributors.

Dealers can be found advertising in the model railway magazines, and they attend model railway shows.

Our recommendation would be to view and compare system to see if you like it. At the small layout end, an out of the box unit from the cheaper end of the market will suffice, but on a larger layout advice should be taken about the precise equipment requirements: for example on the numbers of handsets and power units needed.

In the end, your choice may come down to something as simple as the look and feel of the handset.

Warranty issues

Before fitting a decoder to a Bachmann locomotive, check that it is not faulty and that the product in well run in under DC operation. Only then move onto decoder fitting.

This is particularly important if modifications will be made to the locomotive chassis to fit the decoder. Fitting a decoder per se will not invalidate any warranty on the fitness for purpose of the manufacture.

We obviously will not repair or replace any customer damage as a result of, say, a botched chassis modification.

Any locomotive returned to the Service Department for attention should, if possible, have any decoder removed: if sent with decoder, service may be restricted. Bachmann Europe plc will only accept liability to the value of a standard model: this applies too to body modifications/detailing.

Decoder fitting

We are not able to recommend a decoder for each locomotive, both for reasons of impartiality and also because the market is fast changing and new smaller decoders are coming on the market all the time.

DCC is an open system and the US model railway body the NMRA has set standards. There are many makes of decoders, some small and some specially shaped and sized for particular locomotives. There should be no problems using any decoder of any make with EZ Command provided it states that CONFORMS to NMRA standards. If it does so, it will carry this logo:

NMRA logo

Be careful about loose expressions such as 'DCC compatible'. EZ Command programs locomotives addresses using a technique called 'programming on the main' (See the FAQ’s for more details). Recently produced decoders support this feature. Check with your decoder instructions that any decoder you are using does support this.

You will find that smaller decoders (typically intended for N or Z scales) are easier to find space for but tend to be more expensive than those intended for OO/HO, even though functionality and quality are similar.

IMPORTANT

It is essential that the motor be completely isolated from the chassis under DCC operation. This particularly applies to Bachmann split chassis locmotives.

The Orange and Grey wires from the decoder are connected to the motor, and they must be sleeved so that there is no contact with the chassis block.

Remember that the decoder acts as the 'controller' and so must be the only point of contact between the pickups and the motor.

The fitting method will depend upon the chassis type of the Loco:

Split chassis

Definitely the most difficult. The tank engines may have space in the cab to secrete a decoder, but the tender engines will almost certainly require removing some of the chassis block or placing the decoder in the tender.

You will also need to make some contact points on the chassis in a similar manner to the bogie pickups below. Either drill and tap, or use the plastic chassis nuts to secure a tag to the side of the block.

Solid chassis diesel

The classes 24 and 25 have a socket, so simply remove the blanking plug and insert the decoder plug.

In the case of the Peak, the easiest fitting is to use circuit board replacement decoder that are often fitted to American diesels - referred to as 'Plug and Play'. As this cuts down on excess wiring within the locomotive it is a good choice for the classes 24 and 25 too.

Split chassis with bogie pickups

Some chassis block may need to be removed as in above, but the bogie / pony tags against the chassis can be used to collect the input to the decoder.

Blue Riband Steam

Those with a space and decoder socket present no problems.

Remove body, fit decoder and replace body.

A popular approach on other locomotives is to completely remove the factory fitted circuit board as it‘s not needed for DCC and use the space to fit a small decoder. Otherwise, locate the decoder in the tender.

Open chassis diesel

Those where the motor locates from the top of the chassis are straightforward.

Simply remove the wires from circuit board to motor, and connect the decoder in their place. The suppression coils and capacitor should be removed from the board if the locomotive or unit has them. Decoders themselves are suppressed.

The Bachmann range of Locomotives is listed below under the appropriate chassis type and whether or not a DCC Socket, Decoder or Sound Decoder and Speaker is already fitted

Branchline Locomtives DCC provision by Chassis Type
Cat_no	Description	DCC
Chassis type: Blue Riband
32-001	Hall Class 6937 'Conyngham Hall' BR Green L/Crest	Ready
32-002	Hall Class 5960 'Saint Edmund Hall' BR Black E/Emblem	Ready
32-075A	Class 56xx Tank GWR Green	Ready
32-075B	Class 56XX Tank 6606 GWR Green	Ready
32-076DC	Class 56XX Tank 6671 BR Lined Green L/Crest (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-081	Class 56XX Tank 5660 BR Black E/Emblem Weathered	Ready
32-105	08 Diesel Shunter 08800 Intercity	No
32-106	08 Diesel Shunter 08585 Freightliner	No
32-107	08 Diesel Shunter 08648 BR Departmental Grey	No
32-108	08 Diesel Shunter 08683 'EWS'	Ready
32-110	08 Diesel Shunter 13029 BR Black Early Emblem Hinged Door Type	No
32-111A	08 Diesel Shunter 08375 BR Blue Hinged Door Type	Ready
32-112	08 Diesel Shunter D3336 BR Green Hinged Door Type	No
32-113	08 Diesel Shunter D3032 BR Green Hinged Door Type	Ready
32-116	09 Diesel Shunter 09006 Mainline	No
32-135	4575 Prairie Tank 5531 GWR Green	No
32-136	4575 Prairie Tank 5555 Great Western Green	No
32-156	N Class 31844 BR Lined Black E/Emblem Weathered	No
32-162	N Class 31401 BR Black Late Crest Slope Sided Tender	No
32-163	N Class 1404 Southern Green With Smoke Deflectors Slope Sided Tender	No
32-177	Crab 42789 BR Lined Black L/Crest With Coal Rail Riveted Tender	Ready
32-178	Crab 2715 LMS Lined Black	Ready
32-179	Crab 42942 BR Lined Black E/Emblem Weathered	Ready
32-200B	8750 Pannier Tank 3715 GWR Green	No
32-202A	8750 Pannier Tank 9753 BR Black L/Crest	No
32-202B	8750 Pannier Tank 9753 BR Black Late Crest	No
32-203	8750 Pannier Tank 4666 Weathered BR Black L/ Crest	No
32-211	5700 Pannier Tank 7739 BR Black E/Emblem	No
32-212	5700 Pannier Tank 5757 BR Black L/Crest	No
32-225	3F Jinty 47410 BR Black L/Crest	No
32-227	3F Jinty LMS 7524 Black	No
32-228	3F Fowler Jinty 47266 BR Black L/Crest	No
32-229	3F Fowler Jinty 47279 BR Black E/Emblem	No
32-250X	WD Locomotive Dutch Livery	No
32-258	WD Austerity 90423 BR Black E/Emblem	No
32-259	WD Austerity 90630 BR Black L/Crest Weathered	No
32-275	K3 LNER 2934 Black Group Standard Tender	Ready
32-277	K3 61949 BR Lined Black L/Crest Stepped Tender	Ready
32-305	Collett Goods 2217 BR Black E/Emblem Churchward Tender Weathered	No
32-350DC	4MT Standard Tank 80009 BR Black Lined E/Emblem (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-355	Standard Class 4MT Tank 80136 BR Black E/Emblem	Ready
32-357	4MT Standard Tank 80079 BR Black Lined L/Crest	Ready
32-475	Class 40 Diesel D368 BR Green Indicator Boxes	Ready
32-475DC	Class 40 Diesel 40129 BR Blue Corner Indicator Boxes (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-476	Class 40 Diesel 40075 Indicator Discs BR Blue	No
32-477	Class 40 Diesel D325 Split Head Code Green	Ready
32-478	Class 40 Diesel D210 'Empress Of Britain' BR Green Indicator Discs	Ready
32-479	Class 40 Diesel 40169 Domino Head Code BR Blue (W/O Tanks)	Ready
32-500	Standard Class 5MT 73068 BR Green L/Crest BR1C Tender	Ready
32-503	Standard Class 5MT 73030 BR Lined Black E/Emblem BR1 Tender	Ready
32-504	Standard Class 5MT 73014 BR Green L/Crest BR1 Tender	Ready
32-505	Standard Class 5MT 73069 BR Black L/Crest BR1C Tender Weathered	Ready
32-506	Standard Class 5MT 73110 'The Red Knight' BR Lined Black L/Crest BR1F Tender	Ready
32-525DS	Class 55 D9007 'Pinza' Two Tone Green (Digital Sound)	Sound
32-528	Class 55 Deltic 55013 'The Black Watch' BR Blue	Ready
32-553	Class A1 60161 North BRitish BR Blue E/Emblem	Ready
32-555	Class A1 60130 Kestrel BR Green Late Crest	Ready
32-578	Ivatt Class 4 43038 BR Lined Black E/Emblem Double Chimney	Ready
32-579	Ivatt Class 4 43096 BR Lined Black L/Crest	Ready
32-650	Class 44 Diesel D1 'Scafell Pike' BR Green	Ready
32-700	Class 46 Diesel D163 'Leicestershire & Derbyshire Yeomanry'	Ready
32-725DS	Class 66 Diesel 66022 'Lafarge Charnwood' EWS (Digital Sound)	Sound
32-731	Class 66 Diesel 66407 Direct Rail Services	Ready
32-732	Class 66 Diesel 66532 'P&O Nedlloyd Atlas' Freightliner	Ready
32-750	Class 57/0 Diesel 57008 'Freightliner Explorer'	Ready
32-750DC	Class 57/0 Diesel 57010 'Freightliner Crusader' (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-752	Class 57/6 Diesel 57602 First Great Western 'Restormel Castle'	Ready
32-753	Class 57/0 Diesel 57011 'Freightliner Challenger'	Ready
32-760	Class 57/3 Diesel 57307 'Lady Penelope' Virgin Trains Delner Coupler	Ready
32-775DC	Class 37/0 Diesel 37114 EW&S 'City Of Worcester' Split H/Code Boxes (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-779	Class 37/0 Diesel 37035 Civil Engineers (Dutch) Grey/Yellow Corner Indicator Boxes	Ready
32-780	Class 37/0 Diesel 37239 Coal Sector 'Coal Merchants Assoc' Centre Head Code	Ready
32-825	Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 46521 BR Lined Green L/Crest	Ready
32-826	Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 46440 BR Black E/Emblem	Ready
32-827	Ivatt Class 2MT 2-6-0 6404 LMS Black	Ready
32-875	Fairburn Tank 2691 LMS Black	Ready
32-876	Fairburn Tank 42096 BR Lined Black E/Emblem	Ready
32-877	Fairburn Tank 42073 BR Lined Black L/Crest	Ready
32-900A	Class 108 DMU 2 Car BR Green With Speed Whiskers	No
32-901	Class 108 DMU 2 Car 'Network Southeast'	Ready
32-902A	Class 108 DMU 2 Car BR Blue/Grey	No
32-910	Class 108 DMU 3 Car BR Blue/Grey	No
32-911	Class 108 DMU 3 Car BR Green Yellow Warning Panels	No
32-950	Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 76053 BR Black Brib Tender E/Emblem	Ready
32-951	Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 76069 BR Black Brib Tender L/Crest	Ready
32-952	Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 76079 BR2 Tender L/Crest	No
32-953DC	Standard Class 4MT 2-6-0 76020 BR2B Tender E/Emblem (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
Chassis type: Solid chassis diesel
31-562	V2 60834 BR Black E/Emblem Stepped Tender Weathered	No
31-952	A4 4468 Garter Blue LNER With Valances 'Mallard' (National Collection)	No
32-025	Class 20 Diesel BR Blue Indicator Discs 20 063	Ready
32-025A	Class 20 Diesel BR Blue 20 058 Disc Headcode	Ready
32-026	Class 20 Diesel BR Blue Indicator Boxes 20 192	Ready
32-026A	Class 20 Diesel BR Blue 20 217 Box Headcode	Ready
32-027	Class 20 Diesel BR Green Indicator Discs D8000	Ready
32-027A	Class 20 Diesel BR Green D8046 Disk Headcode	Ready
32-028	Class 20 Diesel BR Green Indicator Boxes D8134	Ready
32-028A	Class 20 Diesel BR Green D8169 Box Headcode	Ready
32-032	Class 20 Diesel D8307 BR Blue With Indicator Boxes Weathered	Ready
32-040DS	Class 20 Diesel D8113 BR Green With Discs/Tablet Catcher (Digital Sound)	Sound
32-041	Class 20 Diesel 20028 BR Blue With Discs/Tablet Catcher Recesses	Ready
32-379	Class 37/5 Diesel 37678 Red Stripe/ Railfreight	Ready
32-380	Class 37/5 Diesel 37671 Railfreight Tre Pol And Pen	Ready
32-404	Class 25/3 Diesel D7667 BR Blue Snow Plough	Ready
32-412	Class 25/2 Diesel 25 083 BR Blue Weathered	Ready
32-413	Class 25/2 Diesel D5237 BR Two Tone Green	Ready
32-428	Class 24 Diesel 5087 BR Blue	Ready
32-675	Class 45 Diesel D67 'The Royal Artilleryman' BR Green	Ready
32-676	Class 45 Diesel 45114 BR Blue With White Roof	Ready
Chassis type: Open chassis diesel
31-507	158 2 Car DMU Scotrail	No
31-509	158 2 Car DMU 'Northern Rail'	No
31-513	158 3 Car DMU Transpenine/ Arriva	No
32-050DC	Class 42 Warship Diesel D809 'Champion' BR Maroon (DCC On Board)	OnBoard
32-057	Class 42 Warship Diesel D870 Zulu BR Blue	No
32-061	Class 42 Warship Diesel 812 'The Royal Naval Reserve' BR Blue	No
32-460	170/5 Turbostar 3 Car DMU Central Trains	No
32-462	170/3 Turbostar 3 Car DMU Strathclyde PTE	No
32-470	168/1 Clubman 3 Car DMU Chiltern Railways	No
32-471	168/1 Clubman 3 Car DMU 'Chiltern Railways'	No
Chassis type: Split chassis with bogie pickup
31-514	159 3 Car DMU Southwest Trains	No
31-609A	V3 Tank 67669 BR Lined Black E/Emblem Hopper Bunker Westinghouse Pump	No
31-610	V1 Tank 67645 BR Lined Black E/Emblem With Straight Sided Bunker	No
31-612	V1/V3 Tank 67682 BR Black L/Crest With Outside Steam Pipes Hopper Bunker	No
31-960	A4 60015 Quicksilver D/Chimney BR Green L/Crest Weathered	No
Chassis type: Split chassis
31-058	J72 Tank 68727 BR Black L/Crest Weathered	No
31-159	Jubilee 5711 Courageous LMS Lined Black Fowler Tender	No
31-307	Manor 7813 Freshford Manor BR Plain Black E/Emblem	No
31-308	Manor 7825 'Lechlade Manor' BR Green Lined L/Crest	No
31-336B	04 Diesel Shunter D2294 BR Blue	No
31-337B	04 Diesel Shunter BR Green With Wasp Stripes (Weathered) D2228	No
31-827A	43xx 4377 BR Green Lined L/Crest	No
31-830	43XX 5321 GWR Green	No

Page Last Updated January 4 2012 04:04:06 PM