Liliput/Bachmann streetcar

borsig1963

borsig1963

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Does anyone have any suggestions for adding a decoder to a Liliput/Bachmann streetcar ?

I search on the forum without success (sorry if I miss it)

I have a Massoth L decoder but not sure to find space in a liliput tram, I never open it

thanks
 
Arthur Aardvark said:
It's some three years since I carried out a DC to DCC conversion on this, so the memory is slightly fuzzy.

There is indeed a space between the motor block/chassis and the upper tram body to fit a decoder. Due to minimalistic power requirements of the Bachmann Motor, I actually fitted an M Decoder, there may well be enough space height wise to accommodate an L Decoder, the pins can be snipped down or removed, neither job should be attempted by the faint hearted.

Also whilst in bits, dual coloured Warm/White Red Leds were fitted to operate in directional mode, likewise a Warm White coach lighting strip was made and fitted to passenger part of the Tram.

Things to do.....

Chinese soldering ain't wot it used to be........would suggest replacing and resoldering all the track contacts, motor wiring, lighting wiring whilst the Tram is apart, save many hours of frustration later.

Can be notoriously a bad runner, R1 points seem to cause it a good deal of trouble, loss of power, particularly if the connections to a point decoder are attached anywhere around an R1 point, has a real problem with this, once the decoder connections were moved further away from the point, ran and behaved impeccably.

View attachment 216711

View attachment 216712
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I think the other problem with these babies is the awful Metal used on the Wheels. They just never look clean to me and the running qualities of them speaks volumes for the Positive Value of the Plated LGB Wheels. Piko early Kit suffered similar problems with many fitting Massoth Stay Alive Kit to get them running well. A better solution if possible would be to retro fit an LGB Chassis, preferably the DCC Tram one if you can get one. This Car with the Toast Rack are really quite nice Tram Models.
JonD
 
The LGB motor is not the best solution. Not only is the wheelbase wrong but you need to cut a big hole in the floor of the tram to accommodate the gear box. A better solution is a USA trains motor block as used in NW2s & the like.. Its the right wheelbase & small enough to fix under the tram. A decoder can be fixed under the tram & plugged straight on to the motor.Photo 8 (Medium).jpg
 
ok, to be honest I have only one bachmann so just think to add a decoder for few runs, I know quality is not high, don't want "lose" too much time on it; running inside, i have no problem with dirty track, may be more problems on R1 point, I have a lot

I already read in the past about USA-Train motor block, where is possible to buy in Europe, only Rd.Hobby?
 
The problems I had with Bachmann trams were not the wheels but the plastic gears inside. These were splitting & at the time replacements were unobtainable.
 
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