Sound Decoder Install and Re-Lettering a Mehano 2-10-2 HO Scale Steam Locomotive. ACHB 1-52

[@wce261md8]

Great job with the decals, want to do that with my steam locomotives. The other tender is a Vanderbilt used mostly in the eastern US. 😊

[@achb-railway]

@@wce261md8 Thanks. I know they aren’t exactly the correct model, but the new logo, numbers make them “fit in” better with everything else I’m doing. Thanks for watching!

[@Quince828]

Thanks so much for showing us how to do this. I have several of the PCExpress train sets that I’ve been wanting to convert to DCC.

[@achb-railway]

Hopefully it's helpful! The smaller locomotives seem to be trickier - less room to run wires, etc.

[@paulflak2823]

Great video, turns out after a little research I have 3 of these PC locos and assorted rolling stock, in my yet to be started on the maintenance bin. And thanks for the look at the camera on the flat car. It answered a question of height clearance.

[@achb-railway]

@@paulflak2823 I wondered if you would catch that shot of the camera.

[@paulflak2823]

loved it, now if or when I have grand children they can not only control the action but get a front row seat to the actions of their control. I wonder how many others of us are going to use what you have show to help promote the hobby, with out the use of techno crap.

[@achb-railway]

@ The Osmo doesn’t transmit wirelessly - just records to a card. I can watch wirelessly on my phone if I use my GoPro, but that doesn’t fit through my tunnel openings, or it hits my trees - depending on whether I mount it vertically or horizontally.

[@andystrains4335]

Nice looking layout I have the bullet nose Betty mehano and it’s a good runners .

[@achb-railway]

Thanks. The Mehanos run pretty well as long as you keep them clean and lubricated (like any loco).

[@toddarmstrong.trackside.action]

nice loco Rainer... it looks great

[@achb-railway]

@@toddarmstrong.trackside.action They are pretty good for the price.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Great discussion on how to do this

[@achb-railway]

Thanks!

[@flakstruk-8481]

Looks great

[@achb-railway]

@@flakstruk-8481 Thanks!

[@andystrains4335]

I have tried decals on my Bachman spectrum steamers and even added some elesco feed water tanks on them to make them look more like cnr steam

[@achb-railway]

It’s fun to try to make the inexpensive stuff look better, and fit into your layout.

[@larrybaughman618]

Thank you

[@achb-railway]

Thanks for watching Larry!

[@scrag2841]

The tender you described - square front, cylindrical back, is called a Vanderbilt tender.

[@achb-railway]

So I have been told! Thanks for watching!

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

It would have been nice to see more of the actual DCC install, and the shell removal. The only shots of the shell coming off where extremely brief. I've been considering doing a conversion to DCC on my Mehano 2-10-2 "Big 10", but was looking for more info on the potential nightmare disassembly. If you have any footage of that which is more in-depth than what was shown here, it would be great if you could do a "behind the scenes" or something to show what you did.

[@achb-railway]

@@DarkpawTheWolf like I mentioned in the video, this didn’t end up being a very good “how to” video because I got too many things wrong before I got them right - and honestly got a bit frustrated with it so I missed recording video of some parts of the process. I have a 4-8-2 Mehano that I am going to convert. I will try to get better video of the process (and hopefully it’s similar to this locomotive).

[@DarkpawTheWolf]

@@achb-railway That would be great.

[@jpkarenko6952]

A suggestion: While it may not be perfect to a trained ear, I found that upgrading to or just installing, an aftermarket speaker makes a significant improvement in sound quality. I have standardized on the Scale Sound Systems products. Indeed, the factory default maxxed-out volume is unnecessary (and even, painful...) The SSS speakers will definitely benefit from a 50% (or even more) reduction in volume. They are built with a sealed baffle in many styles and sizes.

[@achb-railway]

I have some other speakers I’m planning to try - if they fit…

[@jpkarenko6952]

@@achb-railway Appreciate it if you keep us posted. The SSS are ready to use and a visit to the website may be informative. Good luck and Happy New Year.

[@boatman909]

XL makes (made?) all the decoders for MRC. You can use the data sheets from MRC to figure out CV settings etc. on the XL decoders.

[@achb-railway]

They actually say that in the instructions (that they made the decoders for MRC). The instructions actually detailed the CV settings well enough - that's how I was able to make some adjustments immediately. I still need to do some fine tuning, but I was happy it worked as well as it did!

[@boatman909]

@ i have just purchased 2 diesel sound decoders from XL. I will see how they sound when installed.