Mainline J72 DCC - Has anyone managed to chip one?

Robpulham · Post by **Robpulham** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:09 pm

Hi I am new to posting in this forum though I have been reading it for a while. Has anyone sucessfully chipped a Mainline J72? I have a couple that I am quite fond of and don't really want to dispose of them. I have managed to sucessfully chip most of my other locos without mishap until trying the J72. I have chopped a piece out of the front of the chassis to accomodate the chip but I am struggling to isolate the chassis

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:56 pm

Well, I have a Bachmann (ex-Mainline) J72, and even though I work in DC, I have thoroughly examined the model and the only way I've seen of installing a chip is in the cab

how easy is the metal split chassis to hack bits off?

Bullhead · Post by **Bullhead** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:05 am

One of my Bachmann J72s has a Lenz Gold decoder and USP module fitted - the work was done for me by the excellent Ken Chapman at http://www.freewebs.com/dccmodelrailways/. The cab remains unobstructed. I've no idea where he fitted the gubbins as I haven't taken the body off to see, but it proves it can be done.

Robpulham · Post by **Robpulham** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:50 am

Thanks guys. I have a Bachmann version that I haven't attempted yet but it does seem simpler because it's a can motor. It has another problem that I need to fix first or both at the same time (the drive cog has a split in it causing it to jump as it goes along.) I just haven't got around to contacting Bachmann spares dept for a replacement. I bought it off ebay knowing there was a problem.

With regard to cutting the chassis on the mainline one, I did it with a junior hacksaw fairly easily I thought. I have attached a picture to show you what I chopped off. The chip you see wired is the first one out of 20 or so that I think I have killed.

Regards,

Rob

Frazmataz · Post by **Frazmataz** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 2:03 pm

Interesting... so if you can hack of a large piece like that, how easy would anyone say it would be to file or sand the parts hanging over the hind wheels? I'm considering increasing the wheel clearance in order to attach the larger wheels of a J71.

paullad1984 · Post by **paullad1984** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 3:23 pm

Is it possible to change a mainline j72 chassis for a bachmann one, got my eye on a NER one but heard mainline chassis can be awful!

Robpulham · Post by **Robpulham** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:00 pm

To answer Bass first - One side of the rear of the chassis is hollow (housing the motor) so I wouldn't think that you could take any off for bigger wheels.

Paul with regard to replacement with a Bachmann chassis I will try swapping my Bachmann chassis into one of my Mainline bodies and let you know later tonight.

Regards,

Rob

Robpulham · Post by **Robpulham** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:36 pm

I tried swapping the Bachmann chassis for the Mainline one. The bodies look identical but it was a tight squeeze to get the Bachmann chassis in. It would go but you would need to ease the way a little. Still worth consideration rather than renumbering Bachmann bodies especially if you already have the mainline ones. If I can't make a success of chipping the Mainline chassis I may take that as being an option.

paullad1984 · Post by **paullad1984** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:38 pm

excellent! going for an entirely ner layout! would green J72 and green J21 ever have been seen together?

paullad1984 · Post by **paullad1984** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:42 pm

does anyone have a bachmann J72 chassis available?