Understanding Basics

[russ daley]

I just got back into this great hobby and trying to get some old Bachmann Spectrums running. I have a Spectrum 4-6-0 HO, probably 2003 release. I remove stock circuit board and down to just wiring from engine. Found motor leads. What should I expect when applying power to just the two motor leads? I get a hum. but should driver wheels turns. I guess the question is, what should I expect at this point?

Thanks, Merry Christmas.....   

[russ daley]

Oh yeah....I'm doing DCC....

[Hunt]

What DCC system are you using?

What you see (no wheel movement) and hear (hum from motor) is expected.  You are feeding AC to the DC motor.   DCC uses a high frequency alternating current waveform. A DCC decoder supplies DC to the locomotive motor.