I never linked how Locos with DCC run on DC. Plus you need DCC to configure the decoder for optimal performance on DC.   

Server years ago around when when DCC first came out I started collection N scale and built an N sale layout.  Install a few decoders was not real happy with the Gen1 to Gen3 decoders.  So I removed them all and went DC. 

But a few years back when Gen5 and 6 decoders came along with improved motor control I install the latest decoders in my locos and never looked back.  But I have around 20ish N scale locos.   

Things to think about:
If you plain to stay with DC for now you may want to remove a motor only decoder, if one is installed and if it can be.

And it was not an issue until recently but the latest N scale locos are catching up with HO on DCC features. So having the ability to access most of the Functions will be nice.


   

Yes you can.  But do not us them for automatic calibration on a WOW decoder or Calibrating Dynamic Digital Exhaust on a TSU-2 or Blunami. They will not calibrate correctly on the rollers.  Also using them to set the chuff rate does not always work on the good steam loco decoders. This all has to do with the resistance deference between running on rails vs rollers. 

I only used them when I am testing locos, test new decoders and decoders that I you can load your own sound files into (I gave up on these, Chuff cadence issues and sound sample issues).
 
I also used them for the no longer available Horndy OO live steam locos.

I try not to for a few reasons, 

The circuit board has the needed LED resisters on the board.  Without the board you will need to add resisters for each LED. (unless you replace it with WOW Motherboard or Decoder Buddy).

easier to replace the decoder if needed. When using the factor circuit board on the new Bachmann locos I have only had to solder the speaker wires for a sound decoder when using the NMRA 8 pin to JST 9 pin harness.  This is 90% of may Bachmann steam installs. 

Now on the older circuit boards you need to remove or disconnect one leg off the motor capacitor/s for some brands on decoders. I had to do this on all my older Spectrum also note most of these had incandescent bulbs which do not need resisters. 

a great resource for install decoders in Bachamann locos is TCS's decoder install pages on there Website. Look at the HO-Scale installations.  The WOW installations covers install WOW Motherboards.

Another note is space issues. I have not had this issue with most of newer Bachmann's but some of the old Spectrum are limited on space. This has to do with the older tenders having a plastic deck with flat weights in them.  most of the newer Spectrums have metal tender decks or have the weights moved to make room for a speaker.

On the subject of "Keep Alive" All my Bachmann's have good pickups, So they real do not need Keep alives but I have a couple of non Bachmann locos that need them do to a poor pickups.
   

All of my #4s have nail polish on them just for my Bachmann 2-10-0s.    In a punch when I could not find the clear nail polish I have used Strormshield or Ardcoat.

Last week I upgraded my Bachmann USRA 4-6-2 Sound Value using the TSU-BH2.  It was straight forward replacement. My USRA 4-6-2 has because my primary passenger loco.  It just did not sound right going up and down the grades without DDE. Most of my other locos have DDE or True Scale Sound.

I then replaced the DCC ready board with the Sound Value board in one of the latest 2-8-0 runs with the speaker mount and LED lights. This was almost a straight replacement also. Add to extend two wires a bit.

There is an addtional unused wire on the USRA 4-6-2 in the loco to tender harness.  Trying figure out what to use this for, Firebox flicker, Cab light..  It would be used for turning on and off the smoke unit if equipped. 

For most of may Bachmann Steam locos I just use a 9pin JST to 8 pin NMRA harness. Most sound decoders have the 9 pin plug version available. And with using the built in circuit board I do not have to worry about added resisters for LEDs.

Depending on which Steam loco you have. The install could go from Easy to challenging.  If it one of the new Bachmanns with the speaker mount. You should only have to solder the speaker wires to the speaker.  I have installed sound decoders in all my Bachmann steam locos.

Some tenders are extremely tight inside other have plenty of room.  It depending on which loco you are installing into.  If it is one with a speaker mount you want to use the speaker gasket they offer. It has tape on both sides of the gasket. Or you can hot glue the speaker into place. But you want a go seal between the speaker and mount for the best sound.   

I have not install a sound decoder into a Bachmann diesel. There may be enough room to use the harness decoder setup.  But if it was me I would replaced the circuit board with the replacement sound decoder board. Also need to measure to see what size speaker fits the speaker mount. And it would give my 8FX leads for adding lights. 

When selection a sound decoder there is feature discrepancy with decoders in the same price range. One would think all $110 decoders would offer the same level of features...not so. If your layout has grades or you do like pressing an F button to lock you current throttle speed to use throttle knob to simulate load changes.  Make sure you go with a decoder with "DDE" or "Proto Notch/True Scale Sound".

Now with non sound decoders there should not be an issue with fitting the decoder and 9 to 8 pin harness and no soldering. 

I wish when reviews are doing reviews on Bachmann locos is TCS WOW decoders they would demonstrate more of the WOW features.  Like the "keep alive" and I would love to see "Proto Notch" in action for Siemens ALC-42 and "true scale sound" for the steam locos.  This one of the coolest features of my Bachmann 2-10-0.         

Thank you for the response.   

 

This may not help any.

But I have not seen a 308 error on on any of my factor DCC bachmann locos. Excepted for the ones with WOW decoders. It still pulls the CV value but reports a 308 on the read back.(Most of the WOW decoders definitions are not available in JMRI. Most of the settings are inaccurate. JMRI is not very useful for Bachmanns with WOW decoders in them). 

I have seen issue with reading Decoders when I was have poor contact issues. Check the locomotive for good rail pickup and check the wiring between the PC interface device and programing track, And make sure the program track is spotless clean.

I have had to send one of my layout to PC interface devices in for warranty work.  It started having issue reading most decoders.

But if all other decoders are reading correctly then it may just be a bad decoder or poor loco power pickup.

Also make sure you have the latest USB drives. And double check all the JMRI preferences settings and are using a dedicated programing track.  And also double check that the "on programing track" button is selected when searching (I forgot to push that button all the time! And send 5 minutes scratching my head.)   
   

I guess Bachmann is not going to answer may question about what material they are using for the truck side frames on there latest runs of passenger cars. 

As for locos issues. I have a few first run Spectrums and I have only had a few issue.  A 2-10-0 motor froze (not self reparable used the warranty). And my 4-8-2 lights is get belt noises (lube).  They do pull 6 Heavy weights or 12 freight car trains around a layout with a 2.8% grade.   

Out of all my very old locos I have only seen the zinc rot issue with the 1969 Atlas(Rivarossi made) N scale 4-6-2 that I had. The frames started to break up.     

The 2-10-0 goes for 3-4 seconds when I turn off track power.  The keep Alive is part of the Motherboard in the tender.   

I do not recommend using Keep Alives for dirty track or dead spots on the mainline for branch lines. I have power feeders every 2 to 3 feet and all sidings have power feeders. I also clean the rails regularly. 

But I have found them use fully for...

Turntables (sounds does not start over or lights flicker when the turntable switch poles).
Unpowered frogs (does not stall on the frog or have a sound glitch).
Reversed track sections auto or manual (sound glitch or restart).

They are not cheap to add to an existing model and can be hard to install or finding room for one in the shell or tender.
And if you do not have a turntable or reversed track section and your frogs are powered. Then I you will not get any benefit from them.

The are pointless on my 8' x 16" switching layout.  They are only useful on my BVR layout. 

 
 

     

To answer your question.  I have the Spectrum 2-10-0 with factor WOW and Keep Alive and it works great. Also the WOW sound is the best sounding decoders I have ever heard. It is true CD quality sound. And the Keep Alive works great over all my non-powered frogs. And does not freakout when it passes over the auto-reverse section or when my turn table switches poles. I now wish all my locos had them. 

Now it does take a few seconds to charge the capacitors on power up.  And it is not a replacement for skipping on how many power feeds you run to your track.  It has to have good power after a discharge to recharge so if you have extremely dirty track or a lot of dead spots it will have a hard time keeping the loco moving.   

Thank you for checking.    I will take that they are still Cast zinc alloy. 

Not sure about there smooth side cars or corrugated cars. 

The ones I am having issues with all came from the Spectrum trains set they use to sale. The set had a 2-8-0 and 3 Heavyweight cars. The ATSF set has 6 wheel trucks on the combine, coach and observation. The NYC set the combine and coach have 4 wheel trucks.  But all of the trucks are falling apart.  One of the trucks just fell a part in a hand when I touch it after checking it because the car derailed.

Now I am afraid my old locomotive of the same age might start to get zinc rot also.   

I believe all the ones I have are 15+ years or older. And I think Bachmann may have fixed the issue by going with plastic side frames on the newer ones. I would just like to confirm it before buying any of the new ones. 

I have replaced two sets so far. But it's quite a bit of time and work to replace them.

What are the newer Heavy weight and light weight passenger car truck side frames mad out of? 

I have 9 old spectrum heavy weights and most of them have an issue with the truck side frames having zinc rot.

I am very hesitant to purchase any of the newer Bachmann passenger cars.

Thank you.