I ended up going with the MRC Tech 6 since it's specifically designed to run DCC locos on on a DC layout.

Pros: can program and control all the sound features on the loco, can switch modes back and forth between DC and DCC locos, works extremely well

Cons: no AC to control accessories, very light and plasticky - feels cheap, the track wire connector port is extremely flimsy

This pack will be great if it lasts...

Hello,

I need advice & suggestions from the experts here.  I recently picked up a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 DCC loco w/sound and am very happy with it.  For now we'll be running it on a DC layout.  The instructions state to not use a power pack with pulsed DC, but to instead use one with filtered DC.

We currently have a 35 year old MRC Throttlemaster model 402 (rheostat).  I believe this is the kind of pack we should not be using.  I've been searching this forum and the net to get suggestions on filtered DC pack, but so far have found only one current model packs that states it uses filtered/non-pulsed DC (Atlas Right Track #311). 

I called two hobby shops in the area, both recommended an MRC 1370, but I can find no definitive info that states that this model is the right type.  I had previously contacted MRC directly about some of their other current model packs, and they stated that they used pulse power at low voltages.

I really don't want to chance buying the wrong thing and overheating or burning up a motor.

What are other folks using when running DCC-equipped locos on DC?  I realize that these locos will always run better on a DCC layout, but for various reasons that's not feasible for us right now.

Thanks!

Thanks to all again for the great advice & ideas.  I decided to take my old Union Pacific 4-6-2 to a shop and see what they could do with it.  They believe the issues are minimal, so we're definitely looking forward to having it back up and running.  While I was there I took a look at their selection of HO steam locos, which was impressive, and nice surprise - they had a few new/unwrapped Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0's w/DCC & Sound.  Haven't been able to find them anywhere online.  They had a display model that I tested out and I ended up buying one of the new ones.  Runs, pulls, and sounds great, even on my DC setup.

If my son stays interested we'll probably start converting over to a DCC setup in a couple years.  I've been reading everything I can find on DCC, including everything at wiringfordcc.com, so I think I have a pretty good idea of what it will take.

In the meantime, we're going to run the 2-8-0 on our existing DC setup.  We do need to pick up a new suitable power pack though, our old one (~40 yrs old), which uses pulse power, is apparently verboten for running this train on DC.  The only power pack I could find that explicitly states it uses filtered non-pulse DC is the Atlas Right Track Power Pack, but it's pretty bare bones.  I like some of the MRC packs but according to the guys at MRC they use pulse power at lower voltages.  Any suggestions on a DC pack that outputs filtered/non-pulse power would be welcome.  It would be great to find something with a momentum feature.

By the way, highly recommend Nicholas Smith Trains in Broomall PA, great shop and excellent service.

Thanks for the great ideas and advice!

I'm not opposed at all to a 4-6-2, 2-8-2, or 2-8-0, actually in some ways I'd prefer going with one of those, but Bachmann doesn't seem to make those configurations available with sound pre-installed.  They do offer the 4-8-4 "J" class and 2-6-6-2, and I think the 2-10-0 and Light 2-10-2, but I think those locos will be too much for our 18" radius layout.  I'm working under the assumption that it's more economical (and definitely more convenient) to get sound pre-installed than to try to do it myself later - maybe I'm wrong about that.

@Jonathan - you said you've seen the 2-8-0 with the sound option - I can't find anything on Bachmann's site but it looks like there was at one time a #84503 that seems to have been discontinued.  Is that what you were referring to?

@Bob - that's good to hear that you've been able to run 2-10-2's, 4-8-2's, etc. on your 18" radius line - I'll have to look into that.

We are planning to switch to DCC over the next year, and it sounds like it would be wise to reconfigure our layout to use 22" curves as well.  I have the number of a local train shop that fixes & restores HO scale locos, I'll have them take a look at our old 4-6-2 and see what it would take to replace the motor and upgrade to DCC.  I'm guessing that it might not be practical to do that.

I'm just getting back into model railroading, bringing my son along for the ride, and we're learning as we go.  We have an old 1970's era Tyco 4-6-2 that's about kaput.  We're running on 18" radius track and recently purchased a non-Spectrum smoker (2-6-0 or 0-6-0, I don't remember which), and it would only pull about 4 cars compared to our old 4-6-2 which pulled at least a dozen if not more.  We ended up returning the smoker.

I've read a number of threads here, correct me if I'm wrong but it seems the pulling power would be determined by a combination of weight, # of drivers, diameter of drivers, drive mechanism, as well as other factors.  Yikes.  We're looking at the Spectrum 4-6-0's (with sound), e.g. 84903, 84904, 84906, 84907, etc.  Can anyone with experience with these or similar models comment on pulling power?  I'm assuming we should go with the 63" drivers?

Side issue, according to what I've read, 4-6-0's shouldn't have a problem on 18" radius track?  I'm assuming about the biggest I can go would be something like our old 4-6-2?

Thanks so much!

Hello all,

We have an old HO-scale DC layout from the 1970's with a Tyco 4-6-2 steam loco.  I recently replaced all the old brass track and bought some new accessories.  The Tyco loco is in need of repair so my son and I have been looking at some of the Bachmann steam locos for a replacement.  We also want to eventually convert our DC setup to DCC, but that won't be happening for a while.

My question is about the DC-compatibility of the various DCC-Equipped Bachmann locos.  I've read up on various DCC tutorials and now know the difference between DCC-Ready and DCC-Equipped.  What we're looking for is a loco with sound that will work on a DC setup.  It looks like we'd have to get a DCC-Equipped loco with sound (DCC Sound-Equipped loco or DCC Sound On Board loco, not sure what the difference is between the two), and hope it works on DC.  Bachmann's own descriptions of its DCC locos w/sound rarely mention if they'll work on DC setups, but other online retailers sometimes list the same Bachmann locos as working with DC setups out-of-the-box.

Do all Bachmann DCC-Equipped HO locos feature dual-mode decoders that will allow them to work on DC setups?  Do all Bachmann DCC-Sound-Equipped or Sound On Board HO locos feature dual-mode decoders (and will the sound work on DC setups)?  If the answer to either question is "no", is there a definitive source somewhere which spells out which will work on DC and which won't?

Thanks so much - this forum is a great resource and we look forward to being a part of it!