DCC on Board

[glmprez]

Will DCC on Board locomotives operate on a DC layout?

[richg]

Most will, Except if you buy the loco from private source and they may have configured the DC mode to be off. This issue has caught people before.
Sounds like you should do a lot of DCC homework first. For many new people to DCC, they assume using DCC is plug and play and many times it is not especially when running a decoder equipped loco on DC. The 'Net is loaded with DCC information.

Rich

[ABC]

No, not all DCC locomotives operate on a DC layout, some manufacturers used single mode decoders that only work with DCC. Also, it is possible that the decoder could be programed for DCC use only.
All Bachmann DCC locomotives are equipped with dual mode decoders that operate on DCC and DC; however, locomotives with decoders do not run as well on DC as they do on DCC for obvious reasons. The locomotive will run much better on DC if you remove the decoder and install the 2 jumper plugs included with the locomotive (this has been my experience). Also, not all locomotives include jumpers only Spectrum and steam locos with DCC have an 8 pin socket that allows the installation of jumpers if desired. The "Blue Box" DCC on board line of diesels does not allow for the removal of the decoder and the installation of jumpers.

[richg]

Below are some links. When buying a DCC equipped ;loco, ask questions first. Also reading the instructions helps a lot. Generally DCC equipped locos do not run very well on DC. You have no control over sound.
Below are some links.

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=00BQm8

http://www.loystoys.com/info/analog-conversion.html
The below link is the manual about the Bachmann DCC/Sound equipped locos. Most probably, you will want a sound equipped loco some day. Ok, read the manual also and follow instructions. You can download the manual to your PC.

http://www.soundtraxx.com/manuals/Bachmann%20Quick%20Start%20Guide.pdf

For the non-sound Bachmann locos, the decoder manual is on this page, over to the left under EZ Command. You would be amazed at the people who never look here for manuals.

Rich

[glmprez]

I appreciate all the responses.  Each one has been helpful in some way.  I  have read the E-Z Command info.  I am not interested in going DCC.  My layout is far too large to consider that at my age.  I am interested in purchasing the new B&O version of the Spectrum Doodlebug with trailer.  No need to purchase if it won't run on my layout.

[Bucksco]

The new Doodlebugs are Spectrum models and feature the dual mode decoder with 8 pin plug. As has been stated previously you can remove the decoder and use the "jumper" pins to make it strictly DC operation.