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How to Convert a Bachmann DDA40X to DCC

The DDA40X holds the distinction of being among the most powerful land vehicles in the world. With each of the two trucks powered by its own prime mover and generator, the DDA40X was designed to be two locomotives combined into one. Although the Union Pacific has retired these from revenue freight service, many model railroaders still buy scale replicas of them. The HO and N scale Bachmann DDA40X models are the most ubiquitous and adding a DCC decoder to one of these locomotives will give it versatility for running on DC and DCC model railroads.

Things You'll Need

Bachmann DDA40X
DCC decoder
Solder
Soldering iron
Wire cutters
Wire strippers

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the shell from the DDA40X model. Bachmann is known for including an exploded view that shows how the locomotive is assembled. Review this drawing for your specific version of this model because Bachmann may have retooled its DDA40X over the many years it has been in production.
- 2
  Review the instructions for your decoder. Some of these DCC decoders are made specifically for a specific hobby manufacturer's locomotive model, so those will give you a better idea of the installation procedure.
- 3
  Prepare your Bachmann DDA40X to receive the DCC decoder. You will likely need to remove a circuit board on top of the frame with a small Phillips school. Use the soldering iron and solder wick to desolder the appropriate wires.
- 4
  Install the DCC decoder. Make sure you solder the appropriate wire colors to each connection so you are sure to have the motors turn in the right direction and so that you are able to activate the various lights on demand as well. There is a convention for each color of wire for the DCC decoder that is universal across all manufacturers, so this should help simplify this process once you start installing several of these.
- 5
  Reassemble the locomotive. At this point of your conversion, this should mostly entail placing the shell back on the locomotive.

Model Railroads