I am modeling Santa fe and Bltimore and Ohio lines. Small amount of the layout is B&O and the rest is Santa Fe.The engine I would like to add to my layout for the Baltimore and Ohio part of layout. Most of what I am seeing is in DCC and my layout is DC. I heard you can run a dcc in dc for a while. I am not sure if I want to go dcc yet on this layout. I dont want to go older used on the dc ones as I got burned before but not going up to dcc yet. Any suggetions. Thanks.
Sean, the unknown train travler,
What type of B&O loco do you want to model on your layout?
There are lots of new DC locos available.
Rich
Alton Junction
I like the shark nose (rf16 I think) styles and the F-3 Diesel Locomotive styles of loco"s. So far everything I am finding new is Dcc equipped. I have been looking mostly ebay and one other site a couple of times.
Here is an Athearn Genesis B&O F3AB in stock (only one set in stock).
It is DC but DCC ready, so yhe best of both worlds.
http://www.lombardhobby.com/product_p/athg22047.htm
Lombard Hobby is a reliable LHS, not all that far from me.
It not the loco that's important here, but the DCC decoder inside. Some support DC operation, too,but not all.
It's also the case that if you buy a used engine with a DC-compatible decoder in it, it may have been set to DCC-only operation, since many of us do that to avoid shorting and other glitch issues that sometimes occur when operating on DCC, which may interfere with it. Unless you have a friend with DCC who can reset the decoder CV that governs that to permit DC operation, it won't run or respond on DC.
You can buy an engine and take the decoder out. If it's a simple plug in install, some engines have a dummy plug that goes back into it in place of the decoder to enable DC operation. If it's hardwired, then you'll need to restore the wiring to where it needs to be to operate on DC.
So those issues may complicate things if you're buying a used loco. If you're buying new, then you only need to check a decoder-equipped loco's specs to determine if it'll work for you on DC.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
traintravler I heard you can run a dcc in dc for a while.
I heard you can run a dcc in dc for a while.
You may have heard the other way around. You can run a DC engine on a DCC layout, but you can't let it sit on a siding too long or the engine can be damaged. It's really a temporary measure until you get a decoder installed.
Most every engine made in the last 10 years or so that comes with a decoder comes with a 'dual mode' decoder that will work on DCC or DC, so you shouldn't have a problem with a new engine. As noted, if you buy a used one, it will depend on what type of decoder (if any) is in it. But you can always remove the decoder and put in a dummy plug or 'hardwire' things together.
Thanks everyone for the helpful input. Ill just have to keep looking around at the different website and eventuallu find the engines I am looking for.
traintravler Thanks everyone for the helpful input. Ill just have to keep looking around at the different website and eventuallu find the engines I am looking for.
So, no interest in the Athearn Genesis B&O F3AB at Lombard Hobby?
mlehman:
On a previous post I asked about running a DCC USRA 2-10-2 by Bachman on my DC layout, the engine has a Bachman decoder in it and the engine won't run. Does Bachman provide a dummy plug or do you have to order it separately?
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester, WTRR
There should have been a dummy plug in the packaging that came with the model unless it is used and the seller had thrown it away.
Why not eliminate all of these problems you're having and get a DCC system? The excuse of having too many DC locomotives to convert hardly holds water with decoders costing as little as $12 each in lots of 10.
I received a new Bachmann DCC On Board directly from Bachmann, and the dummy plug was not included.
I didn't care because I run mine on DCC. But, apparently, they are omitting the dummy plug although the sheet that came with the loco said that the dummy plug was included.
I don't understand. The Bachmann DCC onboard should work in both DC and DCC automatically. Although it might take 4->6 Volts DC to get it going.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
It is my understanding that all Bachmann dcc on board locos should run right of the box on DC I have 7 of them but never tried them on DC.
Joe Staten Island West
DigitalGriffin I don't understand. The Bachmann DCC onboard should work in both DC and DCC automatically. Although it might take 4->6 Volts DC to get it going.
Yep, and I have read where some have had to generate as much as 9 volts to get it moving in DC.