Modelyard

DCC Ready or NOT ?

All recently released Bachmann steam outline locos are DCC ready e.g Standard Class 5, K3 and A1). However many of their longer running models are not - and for a very good reason - they are to the very successful split chassis design. Bachmann have sold many thousands of these locos and are indeed still selling them.

These include the Jubilee, Patriot, V1/3 tanks, V2, B1, J39, J72 tank, 04 diesel shunter, Scot (both rebuilt and unrebuilt), Ivatt 4MT tank, A4, Manor and Lord Nelson.

Why are they NOT DCC Ready ?

The chassis consists of two slabs of metal which are insulated from each other and act as the electrical current carriers from wheels to motor. Because the motor is directly electrically connected to these chassis members it would be a major design change for Bachmann to make them DCC ready. Bachmann have in fact announced that they are doing this redesign for the LMS 4-6-0s such as the Jubilee and Scot but all the other split chassis designs remain in current production.

A Lost Cause ?

All is not lost, they can be converted to DCC but it involves :-
1. Totally dismantling the chassis.
2. Milling the two chassis halves to clear the motor connections and make space for the decoder.
4. Making a new electrical connection to each of the chassis halves.
5. Reassembling the chassis and testing on DC.
5. Fitting a DCC decoder and testing on DCC.

All One Price - Why ?

All conversions are the same price. Size does not matter - the diminutive J72 does not have valve gear to contend with but it is very tight on space so it all balances out with the amount of work required.

All cost Ł38 INCLUDING the cost of the highly regarded TCS M1 or MC2 decoder. Postage is extra by First or Second Class recorded (insurance up to Ł30) or Special Delivery (next day delivery and insurance up to Ł500).