I just bought one of these tenders with the intention of using them with Athearn 2-8-2 and 4-6-2's. It is a beautiful tender BTW. After installing speaker and sound decoder I attempted to connect it to my Bachmann 2-8-0 to do some programming.(A motor or other similar load must be attached to decoder to program properly) Well, the sockets on the 2-8-0 and new tender don't mate! A call to Bachmann reveals that they changed from white plugs to brown. While a few swips with a file will allow connection, I need to locate the brown plugs so I can cut off the 9 pin DCC connector on the Athearn harness and replace with the Bachmann ones. This will give me all wheel pickup (the Athearn units only pick up with loco wheels) and a self contained sound system in the tender. Bachmann doesn't have the plug in stock, but they cost $30 when available!! This because it includes the harness and motor and lamp!!! Is it me or does it seem ridiculous to others that a tender sold seperately will be unable to be used with the socket built into it? Does anyone out there have an idea where I could try to obtain the mating plugs? thanks for any help
Gary
Gary