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Loco doesn’t move

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Friday, February 16, 2024 3:43 PM

I bought two Rapido RDCs, one ran great the other would not move. Even though it was brand new the wheels were so dirty from the manufacturing process nothing. I cleaned them and it ran like a top.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Friday, February 16, 2024 3:25 PM

Since you have the E-Z Command DCC system, you can only address your locomotive 1 thru 9 via the address buttons, with "0" as your DC address.  The default for your decoder is "3"...

1.  Did you program it to another address other than "3"?

2.  If so, did you initially try it at address "3" before programming it to another address?

I would reset the decoder back to address "3" then confirm that the locomotive moves or doesn't move.  Be sure to also cycle power immediately after the reset.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
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Posted by wjstix on Friday, February 16, 2024 1:28 PM

It appears per Walthers website that this engine has an ESU Loksound decoder installed. These can be tricky to program as for some CVs you have to enter 3 different things to change one setting. 

 As Billwiz says, 3 (or 03) is the default ID setting. I suspect the OP may have inadvertently changed the ID to some other number. 

I would do a factory reset. Set CV 8 to 08. Then either turn off all power to the track, or physically remove the engine from the track. When you put it back on the layout, try calling up ID 03 and see if it responds.

Stix
  • Member since
    October 2010
  • 383 posts
Posted by Billwiz on Friday, February 16, 2024 12:55 PM

If you have not programmed it, the default number is usually 3 or 03 depending on your DCC system.  If you started to program it, there might be an address issue, reset and start over.

  • Member since
    February 2024
  • 2 posts
Posted by MJlivs69 on Thursday, February 15, 2024 9:14 PM
I bought a Walthers Mainline 910-20317 HO Scale EMD SD60M with 3-Piece Windshield - ESU(R) Sound & DCC - Canadian Pacific #6262. I tried running it on all the numbers.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 1:53 PM

Well the OP said at first "the sounds worked but it didn't move", so I assume it's got a DCC sound decoder. At least that's how I interpret "sounds". Suppose it could be one of the old BLI engines that had a sound decoder but not a light/motion decoder.

Stix
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  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 10:49 AM

Agree that knowing what locomotive you have would be very helpful.  Having said that, my guess is that may you have a "DCC-ready" locomotive and it needs a decoder.

Did you trying operating it on address "0" of your E-Z Command?  That's the DC adddress slot for that DCC system.  If it operates on that address then you likely don't have a decoder installed in the locomotive.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 9:14 AM

Knowing what locomotive you bought, and whether it was new or used, would help a lot. 

Some sound decoders come setup so that as soon as they sense track power, they start the engine sound, but you can't make the engine move or blow the horn etc. until you address the loco with your DCC system.

Are you able to test it with DC power? Most DCC decoders are 'dual mode' so will work on DC or DCC. If nothing else, you could try using something like a 9V battery. If it runs on DC, then there's something with the DCC programming that's making it not work.

Stix
  • Member since
    February 2024
  • 2 posts
Loco doesn’t move
Posted by MJlivs69 on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 4:28 PM

I recently purchased a DCC locomotive. When I initially set it up, the sounds worked but it didn’t move. The EZ command controller stopped working so I purchased a new one. I completed all the necessary set up steps, but the locomotive still doesn’t move, I can hear it humming, and none of the sounds work. I am a rookie and would appreciate any advice. Thank you. 

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