I would like to know which Bachmann factory installed decoder is installed in the newer 2-8-0's and is is possible to obtain a more capable decoder from Bachmann.  I need much more control over speed than is provided in the current decoder that comes with the loco.  Thanks.                 ....Tom

I recently purchased two 2-8-0's with the factory DCC decoder installed.  I would like to MU them but one runs very fast and the other, you guessed it, very slow.  I've messed around with CV2 and then CV's 3 and 4.  Nothing works.  At this point, I don't know whether the difference in speeds is due to the locos or the decoder.  Both locos run very smoothly on their own.  Am I missing something or is there no way to match the speeds up without installing a more capable decoder?  Thanks.   ...Tom

Thanks again, guys.  I'm going to take the slow loco apart, Skipgear.  Maybe I'll find the problem.  I ain't got a good track record when I try this sort of thing.  Usually, everything looks Okay to me (old eyes, maybe?).

Bill, I changed out the couplers to Z scale MTL couplers.                                     ....Tom

Hi, Poliss. 

I do use "Read type from Decoder" function.  The read function results in the following:
                                         Bachmann Trains
                                                   E-Z Command Decoders
                                                       2 function Decoders (36-552)
                                                       1 function Decoder (36-551)
                                                       4 function Decoder (36-550)
The E-Z Command line, 2 function Decoders and 4 function Decoders are all highlighted in blue and the message at the bottom of the display says that multiple decoders fit the search and I must select the family manually.  The only choice that produces a Speed Table is the 4 function decoder.  If I go to the Speed table page in Decoder Pro and "read the entire page," all entries read 255.  That's why I assume my decoder is not a four function.   The Speed Table choice is grayed out if the 2 function decoder is selected.  No matter which decoder choice is made, clicking on the CV tab shows the list of active CV's and none of the decoder types have a CV 5 or 6 showing.  Therefore, CV 2 is the only CV that can be changed for speed settings.  I figured that if you altered starting voltage with CV 2 there must be some kind of firmware algorithm that establishes min, med, and max speeds.  I guess I was wrong.

Altering CV 2 by programming on the main, using my NCE system, is much more convenient and quicker than using Decoder Pro so I program on the main to "mess around" with CV 2.

Have I made any wrong assumptions given the above or taken any wrong steps.  If so, let me know.  Thanks for your help.

And, Ken, I know the numeric function specified applies to Light and other options.  It just turns out that the four function decoder, as mentioned above, also makes the Speed Table capability available for speed modification at different speed steps.

Country Joe, both locos have been broken in.                                                                 ....Tom

Thanks guys;

Skipgear, both the locos run smoothly.  Their startup speed occurs at speed step 6 on my system but after that one loco slowly pulls away from the other.  The gap widens all the way to the top speed.  If it is a mechanical problem, other than lubrication, the gap increase is so constant, I wouldn't know where to begin looking for the problem.

Poliss, using Decoder Pro, it makes no difference whether the factory installed decoders are two function or four function.  Both versions have neither CV 5 or CV6.  The four function has a speed table and that would solve my problem but I doubt they put a four function decoder in the 2-8-0.                   ....Tom

I have two of the newer Connies that come with DCC installed.  I'd like to MU them but one has a top speed of 70 mph and the other tops out at approx 48.  I've messed around with CV 2 and, regardless of the setting, the top speeds seem to change very little.  I'm assuming this is a 2 function decoder and has no speed table.  Other that installing new decoders, is there anything else I can do.  Thanks.                                ....Tom

Thanks, Tony.  I was afraid of that.                  ...Tom

I'm assuming the decoder for the Doodlebug is the basic Bachmann that has a Vmin with no medium or max speeds and no speed table.  Right?  Thanks.      ...Tom

Thanks, Guys.  That's what I'm talking bout.                ....Tom

Yardmaster,

You may be right.  I went to the standard Tsunami documentation and used the Equalizer instructions and the appropriate CV's to set the Equalizer on the Porters where I wanted them.

I guess the question is, then, if the Equalizer capability exists on the Porter OEM Tsunami, why isn't the capability mentioned in the documentation on the provided DVD.  Not only is there no mention of the Equalizer, but the list of CV's and their functions does not include the Equalizer CV's, 153 - to - 160.

I must be missing something.  My head is starting to hurt.  Thanks for your help.               ....Tom

Can anyone tell me what the minimum turn radius of the new 0-4-2 Porter is?  Thanks.                   ....Tom

Yes, I know, and this is going to sound kinda silly (not to say anything about the potential expense) but the OEM Soundtraxx Tsunami used in the Porter, doesn't have all the functions/features of a regular Tsunami.  The one I particularly like is the equalizer and it's missing.  I'm assuming there isn't a lot of room inside this loco and Bachmann was courageous to make both DCC and Sound available.  Hat's off.  But, I just want to see if I can't improve on the package a little by installing a standard Tsunami (and maybe a slightly larger speaker....nah, that's too much to hope for).   ...Tom

Can anyone provide advice/pictures of how to take this loco apart for a decoder replacement?  Thanks.            ....Tom

How can I tell which Bachmann decoder is used in this loco?  Decoder Pro gives several options but I need to know the specifics so that I can determine whether the loco's speed can be altered with, for example, a speed table.  thanks.                       ...Tom

Decoder Pro identifies the decoder in the new 44 tonner as a  generic EZ Command decoder with two possibilities: a 2 function decoder or a 4 function decoder.  Does anyone know which decoder is in the loco?  I'm afraid I know the answer.  I need the availability of a speed table and it looks like that only comes with the 4 function version (hope I'm wrong).  So, Murphy being the predictable gentleman that he always is, I'm sure the decoder is a two function.  Any help would be appreciated.       ....Tom