Hi, I have just taken delivery of a new Spectrum modern 4-4-0 with DCC on board. It is a very nice looking little engine and has several user fitted options in the box regards the type of tender (wood, coal or oil) and some different 'cow catchers' for the front pilot. That is the positives.
Now for the negatives I am afraid. Once programmed (I use a NEC DCC system), I had quite a job to get it going for a start, but in the end, with a few pushes here and there it started running. It actually doesn't start until about speed step 12 or 14, but after it's usual Bachmann decoder growl it is off. It runs quite well forwards although it has an unusual sort of whistle/squeeking sound as it goes. Reverse is a different story!! It just jerks along in reverse. The slower the worse the jerking is. Not only does it jerk, but it will skid it's drivers on curves as well (and that is without pushing any rolling stock). Minimum curve on my layout is approx 18". It should handle that without any problems I would think.
So has anyone else had these kind of problems with this loco, or have I just got a 'baddy'.
Do I have to take it apart and fiddle with it to get it running smoothly in reverse? I would have thought it would have run perfecly out of the box!!

Cheers
Bill