Here are some links to DCC groups. If you are limiting yourself to Bachmann forums for DCC, you are limiting your knowledge of DCC. Bachmann forums are ok, but there is Much more info concerning this subject on the 'Net and in greater detail.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DCC4EVERYONE/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bachmann_DCC/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rivarossi_AHM_IHC_Bachmann_Steam_Modelers/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soundtraxx/?yguid=44628248

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NCE-DCC/?yguid=44628248

I did not get any response to a DCC question some months ago concerning my Spectrum 4-4-0 but found very useful info in some of these groups as I converted my Spectrum to sound also using SoundTraxx decoders.

rikc9

Quote from: Mr. Gumby on March 31, 2007, 01:45:30 PM
Hello!
Few Questions:
1. Does it run on DC power? I only have DC 
2. Does run on 18in radius curves? I have an ineter loop with 18in radius curves than needs motive power!
3. Is there sound onboard? If so does work on normal DC power?
Thanks!

I have one. It might run on DC but you would have to remove the decoder and insert a plug in the decoder jack. Using a thin blade knife, you can lift off the coal load. Do not know for sure. I run mine on DCC.

No idea about minimum radius.

There is no sound.

You might try the Roundhouse 4-4-0 with DCC/sound. I have this one also. It is capable of sound and someone I know runs his on 18 inch radius curves. It has a wireless remote control for the sound when running DC.
You can get a Roundhouse for about $155 on the web. I bought mine from Caboose Hobbies. This engine has a lot of sound capability. Whistle, fire box door, coupling sound, bell, air pressure noise, conductor "All Aboard" etc.
Search also for Model Die Casting 4-4-0 with DCC sound. I know Caboose Hobbies uses the MDC term, not Roundhouse.

rikc9

By the way, the animation is VERY annoying. I almost did not respond.

Quote from: caboose101 on March 30, 2007, 11:01:12 PM
Sorry I don't have a source, but I have thought about the problem myself and want to install quick disconnects between some of my other steamers and their tenders.

I have thought about trying to adapt some of the small cable connectors that come on many computer components, for example the audio cable on a CD-ROM or various motherboard connections.  These are much longer than the Bachmann connectors and most of them are female which mate with pins on the components.

Interestingly, the Bachmann medium Vanderbilt tender comes with a set of 2- and 4-pin extension cables about 1 1/2" long.  As these have female connectors at both ends, I'm not sure just how you are supposed to use them.  The tender couples right up to the 2-8-0 and, I assume other models in the normal way.

A source for some thin, pliable wire would be just as valuable as one for the connectors.

Bob

NWSL and Tony's Trains carry stranded #30 insulated wire. I have Kynar #30 wire wrap wire and is solid and not suggested for this purpose since it will break with some bending. I use this wire where there is no flexing.
I recently bought some small SoundTraxx connectors for another project.
10 Micro-Mini Connectors

    * Overall length of connectors plugged together: 1/4"
    * 0.073 diameter at thickest spot.
    * Includes 10 sockets, 10 plugs, heat shrink, instructions
Check Walther's also. Make sure you get stranded wire.

Nothing on the connectors yet. I will continue to look.
rikc9

I have this engine but it runs fine. I belong to a local club which has a large layout and I let the engine run in forward and reverse for about an hour each at a moderate speed.
The only thing I can think of is, check the clearence between the driver brakes and brake shoes.
My Roundhouse 4-4-0 with DCC/sound had that issue and clearing flash off of the driver brakes took care of the issue.

rikc9

Anyone know a source for  the two and four pin connectors used on the Richmond Spectrum 4-4-0?
No doubt they are used on other Spectrum steam engine models. I like the size. I have looked in Mouser and Digi-Key catalogs but I cannot pin it down. It would be nice to get the connectors with maybe a few inches of wire already installed.
Bachmann will not sell any of the parts and I doubt customer service would know of the source.
Thanks.

rikc9

Here is a link to IHC and Magic Mates.
http://www.ihc-hobby.com/cgi-bin/bsc.cgi?sn=121O4330H93R31B3X798640090N109

A suggestion to some is to learn to search the 'Net and post the links. A picture can be worth a thousand words.

rikc9

Quote from: Salmon on March 27, 2007, 03:47:50 PM
I am a complete neophyte to the hobby and my wife purchased a trainset for Xmas with a DCC on board 2-8-0.  Is there any documentation that tells you what capbilities an engine should have with a factory decoder.

Look inside the box. 
Is it a Bachmann? You did not say and I do not want to assume. Also you can search the 'Net using the brand and type of dcc locomotive. I bet there is a lot of info.

rikc9

Hi Nevin

I do not have that Spectrum model but I did a Yahoo search for 0-6-0T dcc sound and came up with quite a few links so I know some have done this. Do a search. You will find some usefull information.

rikc9

Quote from: Andy Fekete on March 25, 2007, 05:16:52 PM
Does anybody know of a good sound decoder and speaker to put in my specrum cnr 2-10-2?

Check with Tony's Trains. A phone call will work. Email takes longer for a reply. They sell a Spectrum 2-10-2 that has Premium sound. I would assume it is the SoundtTraxx Tsunami. They will tell you what they would recommend. Many DCC people like Tony's Trains. I have bought decoders from them.
http://www.tonystrains.com/
Also, do a Yahoo or Google search for "Spectrum 2-10-2 dcc" without the quotes. I found some links concerning this issue.

rikc9

Tony's Trains is the only one selling the sound version and Tony's makes the conversion. Tony's sells the DCC power only version, one with low cost sound and one with premium sound.
Tony's started selling them with sound after I bought mine.

rikc9

I did check Micro Mark a few minutes ago like I said in my last post. I check Micro Mark at least once a week as I buy from them fairly regularly. I already have my Spectrum 4-4-0 that I bought from Micro Mark two months ago. I just installed an old time box type headlight on it. I have the wood cab undecorated model.
My next loco will be a Roundhouse 2-6-0 with DCC/sound coming in May 2007.

rikc9

Quote from: Hoople on March 24, 2007, 07:50:10 PM
rik, they 4-4-0s are available with sound now. Try going to micromark.com, they have great deals on spectrums with and without sound.

The Micro Mark I bought mine from two months ago says     " DCC-equipped for speed, direction, and lighting (8-pin plug)". Where did you read sound?
I just checked again. No sound for the Richmond 4-4-0 indicated.

rikc9

My new HO Spectrum Richmond 4-4-0 had DCC power only though it is a beautiful engine. No sound. I removed the stock decoder and installed a SoundTraxx DCC sound decoder. It just seems better when running the Spectrum with my Roundhouse 4-4-0 with DCC/sound. The tender frame has holes for a speaker so I asked around and asked Bachmann if there were plans for sound eventually. Zero answers. I still get annoyed because the Bean Counters are not concerned about the customers. The tender ready for sound brings up an obvious question. I even asked around if this tender is used with a different HO steam engine.
I did receive a snail mail answer to a question I sent in concerning spare parts for this Spectrum engine. No parts available. Send the engine in for service.  Parts will not ever be available for individual purchase, at least for this engine.  So much for Bachmann spares. The only thing I can figure is, it is not economical for Bachmann to supply parts like the original owner used to. Go figure.

rikc9

Quote from: Bill Baker on March 19, 2007, 11:00:54 AM
Rikc9,

Over the week end I talked to a friend of mine who had the misfortune of having his Bachmann 4-6-0 take a nose dive off his board and hit a concrete floor. While examining it he noticed that the smoke box front had, ever-so-slightly, moved.  There was a small area in which he could insert a thin bladed flat screwdriver and slowly twist-press the smoke box outward.  He pressed out a small section on one side, then moved his screwdriver to an adjacent section, pressed that section out, and went around the entire perimeter of the smoke box several times, forcing out little by little, the front.  Finally, he was able to remove the entire front to expose the light and wiring.

Hope this may help you.

Hi Bill
Ouch, that must hurt. Was the damage very bad?

I just tried again and it it came loose. This time I started at the bottom of the smoke box. There is a slight bit of damage but I think I can take care or that. Now I will be able to replace the head light with the older box type. I love it when a plan comes together.
Thanks for the help.

rikc9

I have tried quite a few times. The edge of the smoke box front starts to bend and will break off if I keep trying. I also asked Bachmann if they carry smoke box front parts but they refuse to answer.
I burnt out the LED so I am not looking for free parts. I will live with it. I am sure customer service has all the business they need. Thanks anyway.

rikc9