Not really sure where else to ask since googling didn’t pull up any helpful answers, aside sending me to this forum:
I have two locomotives with factory DCC sound, an N scale Athearn challenger, and an HO scale Walthers Proto U28, both will receive power from my controller, a Digitrax DCS 52, and will respond to commands for light, sound, and any non-movement command, but when commanded to move just, sit there without seeming to receive power to the motor, BUT the sound will respond as if it is moving.
The Proto I got second hand and imagined it might be something the previous owner did as it had this issue out of the box, but the challenger was brand new in box and was working fine just hours ago, but now doesn’t respond to movement. Tried doing factory reset on both models to no avail.
Any help, suggestions, or just pointing me in a direction to look would be greatly appreciated, particularly as I’m worried if it’s something my controller is causing these problems and I’d really prefer not to damage anything else.
Welcome Sigil. I’m sorry but it needs to be asked, are you sure you completed the resets. You may or may not know that after the reset you need to interrupt power to the decoder. A common practice is to just light one side of the loco off the rail. Assuming they have been reset, be sure to be addressing each as address 03. Another remote possibility is one or both could be in MU function by the previous owner, though a reset would eliminate that. Do you know what brand(s) the decoders are? Sorry this isn’t much help.
If possible, I’d try them on regular DC. If the wheels turn, then the motor / mechanism etc. is fine - it’s a decoder issue. If it doesn’t move on DC either, then there is more likely a mechanical issue, like one of the wires to the motor being disconnected.