Spectrum? & DCC?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Ok I have not bought any Loco’s yet and I am starting to plain this part of it out. I was wondering if any one could tell me what the difference is between these two if any? Spectrum & DCC

I was also wondering if some one could give me a couple of good names to look for. I want to buy the good stuff. Looking for Engines with DCC and maybe some sound!

Thanks
Baker

2

In this instance, Spectrum is likely to be the brand name for the better quality locomotives manufactured by Bachmann.

DCC or Digital Command Control is the nemonic for the control system that utilized decoders installed in a locomotive and signals sent thru the track to control the locomotive. It is the alternative control system to DC or the traditional analog control.

A Bachmann locomotive may well be DCC ready (certainly the more recent models) in that it has a socket into which you can plug a DCC decoder for use on a DCC controlled layout.

If you are looking for locomotives with good detail, with DCC and sound already installed then Broadway Limited, Atlas Gold, LifeLike/Walthers Proto 2000 all make excellent models. There are of course other manufacturers out there, but these 3 are good ones to start with. Almost all the Broadway models are DCC and sound equipped. Atlas and P2K make locos with and without, so in the case of Atlas you need to look for “Gold” models.

3

Spectrum is a good model. I only have two, and in both cases there was a small yellow capacitor on the curcuit board that needed to be cut. In the climax there were two. If you go that route, find someone who can tell you if you have to cut one on your model and how. It was easy, but the box did not tell me I had to do it. I have a Broadway limited that I love. The sound was great on DC and equally good on my new DCC. When I learn all the tricks, I assume it will be better. I am just now trying to put sound in an old brass 2-6-6-2. We will see how that goes.

4

Thanks guys! You guys have once again come to my aid. Now I know what the difference is and what Brands and models to look for. You guys have been a big help!

Thanks
Baker

5

Bachmann’s Spectrum line is pretty good and they are good runners, but beware. Bachmann’s quality control is extremly spotty. You could buy 2 identical locomotives and 1 will run excellent and the other may be a piece of ----. Don’t laugh. I’ve had it happen to me.

6

There is a DIFFERENCE.
Spectrum comes DCC READY (you add the decoder, plug in type (DZ123PS digitrax is the most common for them).
Then you have Spectrum DCC on board. It is as it says the decoder is already installed and is set at address 03. We have 6 spectrums all where DCC ready and just added the DZ123PS and programed it with Decoder Pro and all is well.
In response to the QC I agree. Doodlebug #1 runs like a clock and is a joy to run. Doodlebug #2 waddels like the Aflac Duck and is always giving a problem. Next step on that one is to rip out the PC board and try again with out one.
Take Care
George P.

7

So what should I be looking for then? Spectrum DCC on board?

Thanks
Baker

8

Some good brands of locomotives with DCC and sound:
Trix - they make a couple of USA type locomotives
Atlas - master gold series
Broadway Limited (BLI) - NOT the stealth series
Proto-2000 - Heritage Series (make certain they say w/sound)

This would not have sound. It seems like Bachmann was working on a 2-10-2 with factory sound, but I can’t seem to locate any information about it.

There are companies out there that add sound to the Spectrums after the fact, if you don’t want to do it yourself.