I have an old-ish Bachmann J72 "Jinty".

Has anyone any experience of chipping one of these ?  If so, is it worth it or should I move it on and replace with a DCC ready version ?

Looking at the cost of a chip vs the cost of a replacement loco, chipping would appear to be the sensible option but I know some locos are difficult to do ……………………. 

I suspect the resale value of a DC Jinty isn't too exciting.

Peter

I am the last person to ask about chipping things (unless its a nice piece of fish!!)  but my Yarslow layout used an old Bachmann J72 as the station pilot and it's a nice loco.  When we moved to Southport, the local model shop (yes there is one in the town!) had an offer on the new versions so I treated myself.

Wow - what a difference in both running and looks.  I got it for about £100 and thought it was very well worth it.

Barry

Hi Peter
I guess the first question is how does it run on DC……If its a poor runner then dont bother.

I assume its split chassis? Although some people claim split chassis are easy to chip I find they can be challenging and there is also the question the issue of how long the stub axles will last.

On the other hand if it is a good runner and I imagine you are attached to it, then its worth a go…….you can get a Zimo mini chip (no connection but outstanding chips) for £20.

Bonne chance…..or should it be Courage mon brave?

John

Thanks for your input John.

It is, I suspect, a split chassis loco and runs extremely well on DC.  I'm not particularly attached to that exact loco - I've had it for some years although because I changed to DCC early in my return to the hobby, it hasn't seen much use.

I have no idea of it's worth as a "previously owned" locomotive but I suspect, not very much.  With that in mind, I thought it wouldn't be too much of a tragedy if I used it as a sacrificial loco in attempting to chip it and failed (as I did with the V2 which you might remember !!!)

Thank you Barry for your input too - it does follow my thinking in that, as I already have the loco, it would only cost me some time and a chip to convert rather than the £130 plus on a ready chipped replacement - £110 for the loco plus £20 for the chip.

But then there's also the possibility of sound …………………………… :???: :???: :hmm

Peter
I must agree. The old J72 may be a few notches down from its modern counterpart but it is still a good runner and looks the part

It is split chassis but I have had mine ages without any axle issues. As a shunter/pilot it does lots of shunting and only occasionally got the treat of a mainline run

Barry