I just received a new Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 loco (vendor stated it’s DCC equipped) and it’s not working on my layout. I’m not getting any indication of power to the engine. The headlight doesn’t even glow. I’m running DC. All of my other engines run fine. Since I haven’t switched to DCC (yet) can a DCC engine run on a DC track? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Yes it should work on DC out of the box. Check the plug/ plugs between the tender and loco first. Make sure they are plugged in right and firmly. Then check the wheels and pickups for eccess oil or grease.
Pete
Is there a DC jumper plug included? I think the Spectrum and other higher end Bachmann products have to have an included jumper put in place of the DCC board to run on DC.
I don’t know if this will help or not, but over at my LHS I saw a couple of Bachmann Spectrum locomotives, but Bruce had put a sign on them that said “DCC ONLY!” I wonder if possibly you recieved one that is NOT dual-mode. If so, I’d take it back to your dealer and explain the situation to him. Evidently Spectrum has put out some locomotives that are NOT dual-mode, but will operate on DCC only.
I’m DC too, and I remember two years ago buying a brass Great Northern 2-10-2 that the owner said had been converted to DCC. I asked him if the loco would work on strictly DC. He said “Shouldn’t have anyh problem with it.” Well, I did. I had to take it apart and re-wire it for DC, which was a pain in the lower portion of my body, but after, it ran like a little jewel. Dual-mode DOESN’T work in all cases, believe me.
Tom
I have the Spectrum 4-4-0 and 4-6-0 and they both came with jumpers for DCC. I have heard in a different forum that sometimes people have to program the decoder for DC operation. I run DCC.
Some people in the Bachmann forums say the DCC equipped work right out of the box on DC but not all.
Try the loco with the jumper plugged in. There are some issues with the tender wiring in Spectrum locos. This has been discussed on the Bachmann forums quite a lot. Some people have received the new loco and it was shorted when put on the track. Sometimes lifting the tender just enough for the wheels to clear and the loco will start running indicates a mis-wired tender. The locos pick up from both drivers.
Does the loco motor hum when the DC power is on? Any indication of a short with the DC power pack?
Rich