Spectrum Norfolk & Western #611- DCC Help

[Anonymous]

I bought Bachmann Norfolk & Western #611 , DCC equipped . I have Digitrax Zephyr .

For some reason the locomotive is not moving. I can see the track has power and also hear some buzz sound from the locomotive.

I am using 611 as the loco number . I am verry new to this hobby and struggling to learn.

Please le me know any of you guys had same kind of problem.

Thanks
Ken

[cjcrescent]

Are you sure it is DCC equipped? With it buzzing like that I bet its DCC READY, meaning there is no decoder installed. Dial up 00 on the Zephyr and see if the loco moves. If it does, no decoder.

[Anonymous]

If it truly is DCC equipped and isn't moving when you select #611, you need to check to see that it is properly programmed. Most locomotives (and decoders) are set to a default address of 3, and will not operate under the locomotive's road number until so programmed. Since I don't have any experience with the Zephyr, though, I will leave the programming aspects to others.

If trying 00 doesn't work as stated in the above post, try 03 and see what you get. If that's it, then you need to program the road number.

[jsoderq]

I am not aware that Bachmann has delivered 611 with DCC. Anybody know for sure?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies !!

I have tried all options as you guys have mentioned.
It works fine, if I change the loco to 00. I tried using input as 03 also. It did not work.

I am trying to call Bachmann. Please let me know if any one is using the same locomotive.

Thanks
Ken

[claycts]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneth19usa

Thanks for the replies !!

I have tried all options as you guys have mentioned.
It works fine, if I change the loco to 00. I tried using input as 03 also. It did not work.

I am trying to call Bachmann. Please let me know if any one is using the same locomotive.

Thanks
Ken

Ken, have the same unit there is no decoder in the unit. Look up on digitrax site for the proper one.
Take care

[cacole]

Bachmann has not released anything with decoders already installed, just DCC ready. If it does have a decoder installed, then someone else did it after the locomotive was manufactured. If you purchased it from a store or on-line seller, it does not have a decoder in it. Being advertised as DCC READY does NOT mean a locomotive has a decoder in it -- just a socket for a decoder to plug into.

[Anonymous]

The following is from Bachmann web site :. It says DCC-equipped .

The Class J 4-8-4 was the last mainline steam locomotive to run in the United States. Designed for optimum speed, the “J” once reached 115 mph during a land speed test until a hesitant engineer closed the throttle.

Features include:

• DCC-equipped
• operating headlight
• separately applied metal parts
• alligator cross heads
• see-through frame
• RP25 wheels
• E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers

[wjstix]

"It works fine, if I change the loco to 00. I tried using input as 03 also. It did not work."

That means it doesn't have a decoder in it. ID "00" is used in DCC to control a non-DCC locomotive. If you can, try the engine on regular DC, I bet it runs fine. You can remove the tender body and look inside, I suspect as Cary said that it is "DCC Ready", which in this case probably means you'll see a decoder receptacle that you can use a "plug and play" decoder for, simplest possible installation. Just remove the dummy plug in there and pop in a decoder.

BTW Bachmann made this engine for many years before they offered it with DCC installed, could be you have an earlier version.

[wjstix]

What he said was "It works fine, if I change the loco to 00. I tried using input as 03 also. It did not work." If 00 works and nothing else, it's because there is no decoder.

[cacole]

Yes, the locomotive does NOT have a decoder -- Bachmann's web site and every on-line retailer advertise it as DCC READY, not DCC equipped. There is a big difference.

Kenneth19usa -- the locomotive does not have a decoder, it just has a socket for one in the tender -- you are perhaps misreading Bachmann's web site information.

Bachmann's web site clearly states, DCC ready. You're going to have to purchase a decoder to put into it in order to run it with your Digitrax system on anything but address 00.

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Bachmann has not released anything with decoders already installed, just DCC ready.

Cacole,

Sorry, not entirely correct. Bachmann has a least three DCC (Lenz decoder)-equipped diesels that they offer. These are the cheaper "Standard" locos. You can buy them included with the Bachmann EZ Command system or separately. I think they run about $40 MSRP; $25-30 at discount. Sounds like this is probably not one of them.

Tom

[Curmudgeon]

A phone call to the front office has revealed that the website reflects the catalog.
The catalog shows a dcc-equipped unit, but production has not yet caught up with the catalog.
The new number for the dcc-equipped version not yet on US Soil is 82121.
Your number, if it is 82103, is NOT dcc-equipped.
The website is being changed to reflect the differences.

TOC

[selector]

In Canada, that would be grounds for returning the loco and getting a new one WITH the decoder installed..as the advertising suggested...for the same price.

Not cool.

[NZRMac]

Kenneth19USA, don't leave it sitting on the track without a decoder!!! You'll fry the motor.

It's ok to run until you get a decoder, but don't leave it sitting for too long.

Ken.

[Anonymous]

I bought the locomotive from trainworld1.com and I checked the Bachmann web site for details before ordering. I have to talk to trainworld1.com if they will exchange the locomotive.

Thanks a lot for the help.

Kenneth19usa

[Darth Santa Fe]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Bachmann has not released anything with decoders already installed, just DCC ready.

Bachmann does actually have a few engines with DCC installed. Here's a list of the ones I can remember:

1: FT-A, Standard
2: FT-B, Standard
3: GP40, Standard
4: GP50, Standard
5: GP35, Standard
6: GP30, Standard
7: 80-Tonner? (is that what it is?), Standard
8: SD45, Spectrum
9: DASH 8-40CW, Spectrum
10: 2-8-0 with sound, Spectrum
11: 3-Truck-Shay with sound, Spectrum

[dragonsparrowblue77]

I recently purchased a Bachmann GP40 DCC equipped. It works on address 03 marvelously.

Does anyone have info of the brand or spec's of the installed decoder so I can get it off of address 03?

Does it only accept 2 digit addresses. I run it on a Digitrax Loco-net system, and will use that for the programming.

I'm just return to the hobby and am still getting adjusted to the "New Toys" we have at our disposal, and I'm not fully ready to just start just messing with things until I have researched enough to feel comfy doing it.

Electronics are very finicky ;}

dsb77