Quote from: wjstix on August 15, 2013, 09:06:12 AM
The bell shouldn't start ringing as you power up. On some decoders under DCC, doing a quick flick back and forth of the direction switch triggers the bell I believe. A couple of companies have DC add-on devices which allow you to access the features of a DCC sound decoder, like bell, whistle etc. by using pushbuttons like the function buttons on a DCC controller.

That's the proper operation according to the directions included with the locomotive.

You slowly bring up the power, the sounds start up around 5 volts, as you keep going the bell rings and the locomotive whistles off and starts moving.  Once at a certain speed the bell shuts off.

And the opposite is also true.  When you slow to a certain speed the bell starts ringing.

Thanks guys.

Three out of my 4 operating locomotives are DCC equipped, however I picked up an MRC 1370 at my LHS today and the locomotive is functioning as it should (aka, running beautifully).  I'm an O gauge guy not really looking to get heavily involved with HO, so running things the old fashioned way is fine by me.

OK, that's what I was thinking.  Is the standard Bachmann power pack and speed controller non pulsing?  I don't run a layout, just a loop of track on the floor occasionally when the desire arises.  My largest locomotive is the PM 1225 berkshire, and I don't run any lighted passenger cars, so my power requirements aren't very great.

I'm also looking at the MRC 1370 power pack.  I have the 1300 that came in a set I bought a few years ago, but I'm wondering if the 18V output vs 7V would help anything?

Thanks again.

Well I'm glad I don't have to send it back for repair already   

On that note, are there any conventional DC power packs that would work better with this locomotive without breaking the bank?  I'm mostly an O gauge guy, so I don't really have a desire to dive into DCC.  I just have a few HO pieces that aren't available in O gauge (at least in my price range)

I just picked up a Santa Fe 2-6-0 with the Value sound "soundtraxx" decoder in it and so far like it a lot.  I run plain old DC, but wanted a locomotive with chuffing sounds.  I'm currently using an MRC Railpower 1300 power pack that I've had for awhile.

According to the locomotive instructions, i should be able to slowly bring up the power, have the sounds and lights start up before increasing the power and starting it moving.  So far, until I have the knob about halfway open (when it starts moving), the headlight just pulses as well as a clicking sound and occasionally a partial bell sound coming from the speaker.  From what I understand, the bell should start ringing as power is brought up and the locomotive starts moving.  So far it just sits, then takes off at a certain point.  Once it's moving I can bring the throttle back some and slow it down to a more prototypical speed.  If I bring the throttle down too far, it will run for awhile, then stop with the same pulsing symptoms as when starting up from a low power.

Is that kind of operation normal for these (I know they're meant to be operated under DCC)?  I have one of the Pere Marquette DCC Berkshires as well and it runs as smooth as silk at all speeds with that power pack.  I'm on a limited budget right now and only want to pay for a different power arrangement if I absolutely have to.

Thanks in advance.

Quote from: M1FredQ on April 07, 2012, 10:36:52 AM
Can the Williams full scale Hudson's negotiate the Lionel Fas-Track?

I run my Williams 773 hudson on my Lionel FT O-36's regularly.  It works OK (doesn't look so great) and I haven't really had any derailments yet.  Not sure if the one labeled "Scale" hudson will because it has the full scale tender that the 773 doesn't have.

I managed to snap both of the footboards on mine when it snagged the track power wire.  I made a new one for the front out of small strips of wood glued to look about like the original plastic one and painted black.  A couple dabs of hot glue hold it onto the front of the locomotive.  It's an older 36 ton Ely Thomas #5 with the plastic footboards.

Quote from: phillyreading on February 10, 2012, 07:57:35 AM
The shell of the GG1 will have to be removed from the frame of the engine in order to do this.

That's not that hard to do.  There's not much inside to worry about like the command engines from Lionel or MTH.  The williams ones are simple like the postwar engines.

That's the ability to raise and lower them manually.

I think there was a way to wire the postwar Lionel ones to run off of a cantenary.  Not sure if the Williams ones are the same.

Quote from: Huqfin on January 19, 2012, 04:35:01 PM
Interesting topic...Here's another question to throw in-
Is there a way to adjust the volume control for the diesel horn and bell? I've got a rather large layout and can't really hear either when the loco is at the far end...
I am assuming there has to be a pot. on the sound board...but since I just got my 20195 yesterday- I am reluctant to "tear into" it  already...       

Yes, there is a little metal thing with a slot cut into it sticking up off of the sound board, turn it either way (one will turn it down, the other up) and that should fix your issue.

How about some O-27 streamliners in the N&W scheme to go with the J class (the aluminum cars are too big for that tender)

Yes, but as mentioned before, it's a big engine and is going to look real bad doing it.  It doesn't really look good on O-36 either.

I'd send it back to Williams/Bachmann.  Probably still under warranty.

Quote from: stationmaster12 on November 08, 2011, 11:13:38 AM
Hey Guys! what MRC part are you all talking about?! I have a Lionel 0-8-0 with trainsounds that I'd like to upgrade. Also considering buying a WBB BL-2 in Florida East Cost colors. What is the part number for the MRC board and how does it work on conventional AC layouts? Thanks!!

MRC only makes a diesel sound board for O scale (as far as I know).  For steam sounds you'd have to go with a Railsounds upgrade kit (ERR, digital dynamics, etc) or an MTH PS-2 upgrade.

Yes, the power goes through the reverse unit first though where it is distributed to both motors.