I have a sound and non sound rs-3 unit.  I would like to speed match them so i can run the as a 2 engine multiple unit. out of the box they run at completely different speeds.  The sound unit seems to run slower.  I have tried adjusting cv's on the main  and have had to clear them with cv 8 equals 8 numerous times to start over.  Could someone give me an idea on how to proceed. thanks in advance Brian

Thank you i got the shell off and replaced the decoder.  It works much better than the bachmann.  I used a digitrax 123   Thanks Brian

I am trying to change out decoders on a new gp7 but cannot seem to get the body off.  I removed the two couplers; is the a screw holding the body on that i am missing.  thanks in advance  brian chaney

Help please.  I just got my replacement (repaired?) engine from bachman.  It runs great with my mrc 1629 decoder.  There is only one problem no lights.  Bachman will not return my email and its impossible to talk to a real live person.  I do not really want to send it in again as it took 8 weeks to get it back last time.  I love the engine but I want my lights.  Can it be programmed to 28 step; I hear that might get me lights.  I program on the main in ops mode with digitrax 400.  Any other info please ask.   bwchaney  I tried search engine but could not find what i was looking for.;  my electrical knowledger is basic so no  detailed technical explanations please

I am very disappointed in my 4-8-2 heavy.  My thread is the one about mrc compatabilty.  The engine is a dog and i can't get the lights to work.  It stalls on clean track and I am thinking about sending it to bachman as a piece of junk.  Do you have any ideas about programming the cv's to make it run better.  Brian

where exactly is it.  in a diagram i saw it was in a c shape on the edge of the tender board.  is this the one you mean?

More problems.  I still have no lights and i appear to have a first generation tender as there is no capacitor to be found.  I tried programming cv29 to 7 and still no lights.  Also what does everyone program the first five cv's to,to get the best and smoothest performance from these engines.  as always replies are most heartily welcome  chesapeake chaney

Gene I had bought an extra tender the same size that the decoder is now installed in; the spectrum long tender.  Now it seems I have other problems the engine seems to stall and the lights do not work.  I am cleaning the track which somehow has gotten very dirty it seems like overnite.  I am really getting ******* off as my other steam works okay.  bwchaney

Thanks fellas for all the replies.  I heard from people that helped.  The engine is now runnig in dcc.  It turned out the decoder was fine but the tender I put it in was bad.  I just happened to have a spare.  So now I am breaking it in and it appears to be running fine.  I will take all advice; this current LHS is no longer on my place to shop list.  The only trouble is he is the only LHS within 50 miles.  O well I can still cybershop.  The whole rig online cost me 130 dollars not bad for a nice running and looking steamer.  And by the way the 4-8-2 does not look bad on the couple of 18 inch curves installed on my layout; most being 22 inch or greater.  Again thanks for all your concern and help. 
Sincerely brian chaney

My local hobby store trying to save money installed a mrc sound decoder in my new spectrum 482 heavy.  it will not run in dc or dcc but the sound is awesome.  it did run before he hooked up the decoder in dc.  All the engine does is sound like it chugs at 1000mph and doesn't move.  all the other  sounds are there also.  I am taking it back in again so he can try another decoder.  any thoughts before i go.  Thanks bwchaney

I just got a 462 heavy spectrum and want to equip it with dcc and sound.  Is anyone faniliar with the soundtraxx 101 series?  I can't tell if you need a speaker or it is all part of the decoder unit itself.  All responses would be appreciated.  soundrtrax web site makes it sound like everything is in the decoder module and all you do is plug it into the 8 pin socket.  bwchaney

i am using my economic incentive check on increasing my steam loco stock.  most steamers i want such as the 2-8-2 mikado and 4-8-2 heavy pacific come from all these companies.  i have digitrax dcc so i want sound and dcc.  suggestions please . i want to make my money last so economics have a large part in my decision.  i noticed that trainworld has the 4-6-2 heavy dcc-sound from bachman for 159.00.  is this true does anyone know?.  all suggestions will be welcome.  bwchaney  i already have the 2-8-0 consolidated that had generic sound installed on it.  i am not mechanically inclined so i cannot install the decoder and sound myself.

I just purchased a 2-8-0 spectrum with onboard dcc.  first 2 questions will it run on digitrax dcc and how do i go about putting sound in it.  I am not very mechanical so is there a plug and play option to this.  thanks in advance  bwchaney