Thank you Jim!
That helps quite a bit, & may explain some of what I saw.
Regardless, the little guy does do what I like, & for me it's a keeper!
To the OP; Apologies for the destractions, I really agree, for the money, they can't be beat! Functionality is great, & depending on the details on the shell, now I may think of a few of the NS Heritage units more seriously!
howmusChad and Odie, Thanks! That has been one of the reasons I have been waiting to get one. Looks like it does very well at slow speeds. Is the decoder actually 128 speed steps or just a 28 step one?
Decoders have 28 speed steps - they 'fill in' the space between each speed step to get a smooth 128 steps. Now, there may be some really old decoders that will only do 28 speed steps, but just about anything new will be able to automatically generate the 128 speed step sequence.
Most of the OEM Soundtraxx decoders I have seen are limited in the number/range of sound features like whistles/bells.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hey,Yup, I'm programmed at the 128, & I even double checked.One thing to note though, on mine the Bachmann, Alco 2-6-0 Loco did not seem to respond past throttle 64, anything above that through 128 was the same speed as the range down to position 64. This may be a default, & I have no desire to run it at that high a speed, but I do know my diesels do respond appropriately through the entire range.If the cutoff at position 64 means something, please let me know!, as I may have some work to do, & it could skew the demo I made, apologies if that is so.. Thanks,
PS: I am talking about the NCE throttle, let me check the actual documentation with the Loco.. Sorry...
PSS: A quick check of the Loco's docs does say it supports 128 speed steps, however, I saw the above results. This is how it was programmed out of the box, it's still set as address #3.. Box stock..There was also a note that it has the Suppression Capacitors across the Motor leads, & most custom DCC installs need those removed, -if I recall correctly. My best guess is that the limit at Throttle pos 64 is just that, a preset limit, it was quite fast, but not Tyco hypersonic..
Chad and Odie, Thanks! That has been one of the reasons I have been waiting to get one. Looks like it does very well at slow speeds. Is the decoder actually 128 speed steps or just a 28 step one?
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Sorry about that, on one hand I like to tune eveything I can, on the other hand, I really like things excessively simple. Only wanted to share that not all the manufactured ones with sound have all the options like the seperate ones. However, that is a pretty well known topic, & if not, there it is.
Case in point, the question was asked about the Bachmann 2-6-0 Alco, I thought "hey, I think I have that!!"This is as fun as theyr 45Tonner, I really had a good time playing with it.I made a video to show what I experienced for you.Although a little light, with good freight cars & not many grades, this is a great unit!Here you go;
watch?v=pPB2qv4iEE&feature=youtu.be
I missed out on getting an Amtrak heritage unit. There's no way that I'm not getting the NYC one though.
To go with my future layout that's on ex B&O track!
Here's the link for those of you that missed the announcement:
http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/news.html
I'm not interested in the NS heritage units, wrong part of the country for me. For those that are into the heritage units, I would suspect that these will be offered for considerably less than competing brands. I only have one Bachmann loco and it's equipped with the sound value decoder. It's the S-4 and the sound is certainly adequate. A sound equipped loco for under $100 was too good to pass up. I don't have any particular problem with Bachmann, just haven't offered anything I'm interested in. Will be interesting to see how these Locos look and sound/run. Who woulda thought that Bachmann would enter this race and with 2 models to boot? Ah, life is good!
I am curious on how the Alco 2-6-0 is with slow speeds with the built in noise sound? I am considering getting one (since Botchman isn't making any painted - unletterd) and since there isn't really much difference in price between what i can find with the noise sound installed and the DCC ready ones if the slow speed is good, I may just get one with sound and cut the wires to the speakers (hate sound in HO - doesn't come close to being realistic at least to my musicians ears).
Chad L Ryan
These Bachmann decoders don't have as many options available using Decoder Pro as my self installed Tsunami decoders, but there is enough there to make them perform to my liking. I have some other brands of OEM sound equipped locos and they have many options, some have more than I know how to use. My last purchased sound loco has a QSI decoder and it is one of the best I have. My older BLI Hudsons have great sound systems as well. The Bachmann locos are a bargain as far as I am concerned, having both great detail and sound. Their standard DCC On Board equipped locos are not as good when it comes to slow speed control, but I onlly have 3 or 4 of them and replace one with a TCS decoder.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Since I got back into the hobby in 2006, I have long been a supporter of Bachmanns. I own 14 of their DCC OnBoards and love everyone of them, only one has a "growl sound" at slow start speeds.
Bachmann has worked hard to produce models that run great and that are far better detailed than the older "cheapo train set " stuff of yore.
Also, I have read nothing but praises for their service department. I have yet to use them so I don't personally know from first hand. The only disappointments I have read is that they could not fix the model and offered a brand new one to replace the broken one but since they no longer make the one broken, they offered new ones of choice that were different. People complained they couldn't get the old model again and had to choose a differing model maybe not of their exact liking.
Also Bachmann DOES make models for suppliers to "have on the shelf" without preorders and waiting time for them to be produced once they get enough orders like otehr manufaturers.
And Bachmann has great prices, which DOES NOT exactly correspond to cheap quality.
{BTW you links only take you to Bachmann site, not to what you quoted}.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Farrellaa,
Don't mean to call you out, does the Decoder Pro SW actually give you many options to choose from on their decoders?I ask, cuz, usually the OEM versions are pretty "Light" compared to ones you can get as their 'Standard Line' for custom installs. I have hit that wall many times with sourced 'built-in' decoders on almost any manufacturer.For me, it was an awakening, when I went from custom installed ones & expected the SW screens to be similar, to -oopps, OK, Wow.. OK then..
Just an observation, & BTW, glad to hear you like what you are seeing!
I have two Bachmann steamer with sound and love them. Both are Spectrum though and don't know if the soundtraxx decoders are the 'entry level' ones or not but the sound is great and once I put them under the DecoderPro spell, they are even better. One is a 4-6-0 and the other is a 2-6-6-2.
I had not heard of this yet.. interesting!Did they engineer their own shell or partner with someone?...Things that make you go Hmmm....
I have Intermountain Gevos and MTH&Athearn SD70ACE's in service on my layout. No heritage units as of now. I admit it will be interesting when these Bachmann units arrive. They have come up considerably from the previous years. It may be a very good move for Bachmann. Another entry into the modern market should be a good thing. I myself will give them some consideration when they come out with other Class 1 roadnames. I haven't heard the sound of the Tsunami's in a Bachmann myself. Bring them on.
Partrick Waltz
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