Will a Bachmann Spectrum Baldwin 4-6-0 DCC locomotive work on a standard DC/Analog Layout?
The ones I’ve seen in my LHS are advertised as DCC ONLY. I don’t think the Spectrum steamers are ‘convertibles’ like Proto and BLI. Is there a LHS near you where you can ask?
Tom
Boy, none of my Bachmann 4-6-0’s are dcc equipped. If they were, the wire cutters would come out.
Coming factory equipped can be a problem.
Most folks seem to have a “preference” for manufacturer and model.
Plus any PW input on the ones I’ve seen factory-installed can let the smoke out in a big hurry.
In the scale I now work in, I cannot believe the folks who can’t seem to figure out how to install a decoder.
I’d rather have a unit “dcc ready” and do what I want instead of being forced to buy something with it.
And I don’t care if I can set “00” and make it work on dc.
TOC
I don’t know about the bachmans but I’ve run my stewart chassis digitrax equipped F units on a DC layout, with no troubles (run with Control Master 20s)… I don’t remember having to reset the addresses to do it either… Couldn’t have on the DC layout, no programming available. If it won’t, it’s pretty simple to rip the decoder…
Jeff
Most current DCC decoders are designed to auto-detect whether they’re on DC or DCC - this is how BLI et al offer locos that can run on either. I’d advise emailing Bachmann and asking their opinion. If the decoder installed is one of their own-brand you may find yourself ripping it out and installing something better (their own brand cheap decoders are terrible in my experience - the default speed curve is completely wrong in the three I have). Hope this is of help!
Unless that local hobby shop has installed a decoder into that Bachmann Spectrum locomotive, it is just DCC READY, not DCC equipped. Bachmann is supposed to start releasing some models with decoders already installed, but the one you’re asking about is not one of them. So yes, it should run just fine on a DC layout because it has no decoder, only the socket in the tender where a decoder can be plugged in.
Ask the people at the hobby shop if they have added a decoder to the locomotive, and my guess is that they have not. Too many hobby shops don’t know the difference between DCC ready and DCC equipped, and falsely advertise their merchandise.
DCC Decoders that a true dual-mode (not those Atlas ones that require flipping a jumper) work on DC without needed a DCC system to first configure it in any special way - out of the box they run just like any other DC loco.
–Randy
my bachmann spectrum 4-6-0 ran just fine on DC . i’ve since put a decoder in it and it’s now DCC and i haven’t tried it on DC since . as far as i know the bachmanns come standard DCC ready but with no decoder installed