Bachmann Baldwin 2-4-2 Battery Conversion

[JimmyB]

This will my thread on my journey in converting my Bachmann Baldwin 2-4-2 to RC battery power, however the fine details of the work will be documented in my blog as the work progresses:

Tumble Down Falls Railway

The diary of how I built my garden railway. Details of all aspects of the work carried out, from track laying and landscaping through to modifying and building rolling stock. It is set as a fictitious heritage railway somewhere, and is built in G45.

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

This is the loco that was bought, the newer version with metal running gear and metal gearing, however it is the Americanized version of the Lyn, so I will also be looking to Anglicise it.



The previous owner converted it to battery, and then converted it back to track power to sell, my conversion will take a different route, and therefore will also include "undoing" some of his work.

 

[JimmyB]

My first question is reference chuff trigger, I believe I have identified the connection for the trigger (circled in blue) and will need to attached leads to these. I will be using a MLS for my sound, and my assumption is that one of the leads would the negative power lead, with the other lead going to the appropriate connection on the MLS (setting adjusted accordingly). However, as my assumptions are not always correct, please can somebody advise, many thanks.

 

[PhilP]

Awaiting image?

PhilP

 

[JimmyB]

Awaiting image?

PhilP

Oops, image now added.

 

[PhilP]

Re: Chuff-trigger
Your assumptions (should be) correct..
Those to contacts should be isolated from everything else, and can be used for 'chuff'. I have found that the contacts can 'bounce' a little, but seem to get better with more use.

Just put the occasional double-chuff, down to wheel-slip!


PhilP

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I'd remove them to solder wires, then re-attach. Both are isolated already so it matters not which is connected to what.

 

[JimmyB]

I'd remove them to solder wires, then re-attach. Both are isolated already so it matters not which is connected to what.

Yep, removed to solder the wires, though I assume you mean between the neutral and the MLS trigger.

 

[ge_rik]

Yep, removed to solder the wires, though I assume you mean between the neutral and the MLS trigger.

That's right. Neg through the contacts to the cam input

Rik

 

[Greg Elmassian]

yeah, MLS wire wants to be pulled to ground, one contact to ground/minus and the other to the mls chuff "input".

I avoid using the term "neutral", which often get's translated to "common", and in DCC common is positive voltage.

(I know this is not DCC)

Greg

 

[Paul M]

My first question is reference chuff trigger, I believe I have identified the connection for the trigger (circled in blue) and will need to attached leads to these. I will be using a MLS for my sound, and my assumption is that one of the leads would the negative power lead, with the other lead going to the appropriate connection on the MLS (setting adjusted accordingly). However, as my assumptions are not always correct, please can somebody advise, many thanks.

View attachment 310931

Hoping, eventually, to do this to mine. Will be following with interest

 

[JimmyB]

yeah, MLS wire wants to be pulled to ground, one contact to ground/minus and the other to the mls chuff "input".

I avoid using the term "neutral", which often get's translated to "common", and in DCC common is positive voltage.

(I know this is not DCC)

Greg

Greg, yes, I should have used negative, which in my case will be correct.

 

[ge_rik]

Hoping, eventually, to do this to mine. Will be following with interest

Hi Paul
If you (or anyone else) has a Lyn with the older motor block, I've blogged my conversion here

How I converted a Bachmann Lyn loco to battery / radio control

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik

 

[JimmyB]

Hi Paul
If you (or anyone else) has a Lyn with the older motor block, I've blogged my conversion here

How I converted a Bachmann Lyn loco to battery / radio control

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik

Rik having owned the older model, the parts look very similar, however, disassembly is quite different.

 

[PhilP]

Rik having owned the older model, the parts look very similar, however, disassembly is quite different.

Very 'chalk and cheese'.
The later model is very much improved, on the older one.

I have a rather tatty, old one.
I suppose I ought to think about doing something with it? - I wonder how close I could get it, to the one going to Wales, later in the year?

PhilP

 

[JimmyB]

I am hoping to provide permanent links to Bachmann PDFs, can somebody let me know if you can open the link below, many thanks:

LINK REMOVED

 

[PhilP]

It opens a link to my webmail login.

On an Android Smartie-Phone.

PhilP

 

[ge_rik]

It opens a link to my webmail login.

On an Android Smartie-Phone.

PhilP

I get a C Panel log in on my Android Tablet

Rik

 

[PhilP]

I get a C Panel log in on my Android Tablet

Rik

Sorry, yes, same for me..

PhilP

 

[Gizzy]

Sorry, yes, same for me..

PhilP

Me three.

I get a log in for C Panel as well on my Win PC....

 

[JimmyB]

PhilP , ge_rik and Gizzy many thanks, it is in a public area on my website, so should open, I will need to check my permissions.