Does Bachmann locomotives that are that are dcc run on dc also? And does the sound work also with restrictions also. Right now I only have a dc throttle and beings ill be getting dcc remotes later I do want to buy dcc equipped locomotives.
Sorry for being so confused on engines that have dc/dcc. I especially want to get one of newer Hudson's and didn't know which one it should be dc or dcc.
Dave
Most, if not all, Bachmann DCC will run on DC, one at a time. Don't know about sound working. Back when I 1st started I used DC. I had to use 'blocks' to isolate sections of track to park engines not being used. Lots of extra wiring and on/off switches. When you go DCC just turn all of the switches ON and you're ready to go. Remove on/off switches and plastic isolators at your convenience. I you use a Dremel tool to cut the rail replace that piece of track.
One thing to be aware of when operating decoder equiped locos on DC. You'll have to use higher throttle settings than a straight DC loco would use to get the same speed. This is due to the decoder requireing a minimum of 5 volts on the rails before it passes it through to the motor.
Len
I believe the DCC standard has the provision for "analog conversion" aka DC mode. The Bachmann DCC locomotives I have bought all come from the factory with analog conversion turned on so they will run on DC right out of the box. Right here I need to make a distinction between DCC and DCC with sound. They are not the same, and I cannot tell you how analog conversion affects sound.
I mention turned on as factory default because if you buy a secondhand locomotive it may be turned off. I turn it off in all my DCC locomotives because if the decoder goes into DC mode while on DCC powered track it will take off at full throttle and the only way to stop it is to turn the power off. This is rare, but i've had it happen to me a couple of times. Better to disable a mode i don't really use than to have an expensive locomotive go flying off the track and hit the floor. SO on a secondhand locomotive it may be turned off. a factory default reset of the decoder will restore analog conversion, but you need a decent DCC system to do this.