Silver Band's Bachmann Thomas & Friends DCC Tutorial

I meant to put this out WEEKS ago, but life events out of my control kept me from finishing this video.
But, if you’ve ever wanted to convert your Bachmann Thomas & Friends engines to DCC, I’ve made this brief tutorial on how to do so.

[@joeleboeuf]

We're all thinking it, I'm gonna say it. You're a true genius. I can't wait to see what Railtours stories you have in store for us this summer. coming.

[@saintdane05]

This is probably the best DCC tutorial I've seen! Short, simple, to the point. I might try it on my smaller engines!

[@trainstorm1225]

A really good tutorial for those just starting out! Good work here, man!

[@tylerkane1238]

While I don’t feel comfortable doing any hardwiring, Bachmann has announced Thomas and Percy with DCC and sound, both I have preordered, plus I also ordered Ryan, Rebecca and Beau. Once they are in stock and shipped, I will have officially collected the entire Thomas standard gauge locomotive roster. Rolling stock however, need to work on

[@Tea_Sea69420]

You have such a warm genuine tone to the way you speak, it is a wonderful voice you have

[@thenorgalofthehills5688]

I personally use ESU decoders. My Bachmann James and Daisy I’ve actually taken one step further with ESU Loksound. Daisy also has a light.

[@chugnchoo]

This tutorial was released at the best time. I just been thinking more about DCC for my Bachmann engines. Thank you for the tutorial!

[@kevinseipel5130]

Okay this is really helpful, I've been wanting to do DCC for the engines I wanna buy for my layout but always have a hard time trying to find a simple video how to install the DCC onto my engines. Thanks to you Sliver Band this will give me idea's on the engines I wanna get. Thanks for the tip here, its very helpful.

[@Blader_Ev11]

Awesome tutorial, now I understand what to do. Thank you so much

[@jquarters1896]

Thanks for the tutorial I’m planning on decoderizing all my Thomas and friends ho scale engines.

[@SonicDashie759]

This is perfect! Thank you! Now I need to learn how to solder...

[@JS-hm2rc]

That was incredible and very clever.

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Great video Silver Band

[@Nate_the_Great-4472]

This really helped me! I did get some Thomas models! I got a NIB arry and Bert!

[@percyengineproductions061]

awesome i'll definantly try this out!

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

I personally use some Soundtraxx decoders for my models, but I mainly use TCS and Digitrax decoders. I usually use the Digitrax decoders as stand-ins until I have enough money to buy a proper Soundtraxx or TCS dcc/sound decoder. The Digitrax decoders work well, but don’t have as much speed control as the TCS and Soundtraxx decoders. The Soundtraxx sound decoders are good for having dcc and a wide variety of sounds, but they require assembly, and they have to be the right type and sound setup to work properly.

[@caderthatguy]

Do you know the link to get the DCC decoders?

[@JustinFrazier_360]

That's amazing

[@savvadance7006]

that is so super awesome

[@matthewgersch1901]

Nice Work

[@TheNewStoryteller]

Nice Tutorial. If you want to know who did the song Cargo Moving People it's the J Walkter Thompson Company.

[@gingertimelord5]

How would one do thos on a train that predates the use of an internal circuit board?

[@NinjagoGuy416]

What type of decoder did you use for this mod? I might want to try that with my Thomas

[@trainlandia697]

1:05 Oooh! Is UP 844 coming to Sodor this summer?

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

The trailer released just a few days ago for the third season, and as it turns out Union Pacific 844 a.k.a. the living legend will indeed be making an appearance. Additionally, other locomotives like the famed New York Central dryfess streamliner Hudson a British railways Deltic diesel, southern pacific 4449 daylight and the two golden spike locomotives union pacific 119 and central pacific Jupiter will also star at varying points of the season. Most excitingly however a character from the railway series books will be making a re-appearance. That character is Stephanie the blue bell engine.

[@SkyeSoarer04]

the UK Bachmann Thomas models are DCC ready

[@saintdane05]

Also, a few questions. Sorry for double commenting! The computer chip looking thing that was attached to the engine, was that a blanking plate? Did you remove it before soddering? Also, what was that DCC App you had? And how did you attach it to your layout? Thank you again!

[@SilverBand7]

That little circuit board you saw is not a blanking plate. It has to be removed before you hardwire your decoder. You can either cut off a bit of the wires, or use the soldering iron to detach it. The app I have is called WiThrottle. You’ll need a Wi-Fi system hooked up to your layout in order to use it though. Most manufacturers ale their own. For me, I have the Digitrax Loco-Net Wi-Fi Interface plugged into my Command Station.

[@greenio2011]

Quick questions if you do mod your Bachmann Thomas to work with DCC, can it still be DC operated? Also, if you mod the Bachmann “Thomas With Analog Sound” will the sound still work, and can you control the whistle sounds using a DCC controller?

[@SilverBand7]

Most decoders are able to operate on both DC and DCC layouts. It can set up during programming, although the decoders I use have it set up that way by default. I haven’t messed around too much with the analog sound Thomas, but the sounds can’t be controlled.

[@danmah7575]

Great tutorial! One question, how did you remove the top of the cab to access the wires rather than unscrewing the chassis from below?

[@SilverBand7]

The cab roof is held onto the body with clips. All one has to do is pull the thing off. The little circuit board is screwed into the underside.

[@danmah7575]

@@SilverBand7 thank you, I will give that a shot!

[@chriscuster9955]

Im using Bachmann's ez command control with a dn136 digitrax decoder hardwired in my Thomas but its not moving or responding on any DCC or DC channels, is there anything im doing wrong?

[@SilverBand7]

I’m assuming that you’ve wired everything correctly (red to red, black to black, etc). If you’re using DCC, make sure that your controller has the correct address for your model. Remember, the default address is 03. If you still need further help, try reaching out to someone who’s knowledgeable with DCC to do it with you.

[@dasmann3904]

In the uk, Bachmann decided to fit the Thomas models with next 18 sockets. I have no clue why.

[@ahaduchasemusic3276]

I have a Bachmann easy command control center, I had a dcc engine before but it’s being serviced is that a good dcc controller?

[@SilverBand7]

I’ve never used that one myself, but I have a friend who does. It’s worked well for him from what he’s told me.

[@ahaduchasemusic3276]

@@SilverBand7 thank you for your feedback solver band, any knew rail tours coming up?

[@rinsehoopz4fun297]

Hey Silver Band, this might be a dumb question but for some reason when I look at Thomas's "bottom" sometimes in different videos the black part connected to his wheels has this wierd thing where the front of the black part is hidden behind his front wheels but other times it is stretched out and is completely visible and not hidden.

[@rinsehoopz4fun297]

Basically I mean his bottom is always switched when I see a bachmann thomas depending on the video I watch.

[@brodymclaughlin]

What DCC System do you use? Using your phone as the controller is so cool :o

[@SilverBand7]

I use a Digitrax DCS100 with a LocoNet Wi-Fi Interface, which connects to the WiThrottle app on my phone.

[@geoffreystoddart3503]

GREAT, will 844 be in Thomas & the Railtours.

[@trainjack16]

I have James and Edward, where would I put the decoder after it is soldered?

[@SilverBand7]

I would recommend a smaller decoder like the DZ126 in the video. James and Edward each have a little bit of space in their cab areas. Should be enough room in there to screw it back in without an issue.

[@CraftsTimReview]

4:13 Excuse me, but even though I've seen model train people using this thingamajig, but could you tell me what it is called?

[@SilverBand7]

It’s called a rolling road.

[@BlackFiveStudios]

I can't do it help me. When I solder the wires they fall apart easily and the red wire for the motor fell out of the motor help me

[@SilverBand7]

You’ll have to resolder that wire back onto the motor. Also, when soldering wires together, be sure either one or both ends have a bit of solder on them. If you need further help, try to reach out to someone you know with experience to do it with you.

[@EricTheUsefulEngineNr11]

I didnt get a model:(

[@believeinthelostengine3326]

Duuuuuude. What's the dude who keeps arranging all these railtours end goal?

[@J.MBevinton-Locomotive_317.]

Hello!

[@JojoCat2008]

2:58. A little off-topic, Does that mean we taste like pork?

[@Nate_the_Great-4472]

Ok, how did you manage to find a Bachmann Thomas for 32$!!!

[@lamarkeenum4529]

'promosm'