Septuagenarian's Question

[fhmac]

Please excuse an elder's ignorance. Can the wonderfully detailed Bachmann PRR K4 Pacific with DCC be run on my
DC layout? I would hate to spend the $$$ only to end up with a display locomotive. Your suggestions and ideas please.

[C855B]

Yes. Bachmann locomotives are both DC and DCC.

[rickb773]

BUT if you have older DC power packs (such as my MRC Tech II's) they will NOT run smoothly.
A friend tested his on my DC layout and the results were very poor.

[peteski]

Even if the DC throttle is compatible with the decoder, the sound decoder will not even start running until you crank the throttle more than half way. So you will only have only arc of the knob to control the loco's speed.  It is a bit awkward.

[mmagliaro]

BUT if you have older DC power packs (such as my MRC Tech II's) they will NOT run smoothly.
A friend tested his on my DC layout and the results were very poor.

Seeing this experience with the BLI M1, I have to ask.  Did you turn the pulse off on that Tech II?  I think that is most likely what will cause the bad behavior.  As long as you've got a pack, new or "old school" where you can get rid of the pulse power,
it should be fine (other than the awkwardness that Peteki mentions where you will have to crank the throttle up at least halfway before it even starts to move).

[Mike C]

Please excuse an elder's ignorance. Can the wonderfully detailed Bachmann PRR K4 Pacific with DCC be run on my
DC layout? I would hate to spend the $$$ only to end up with a display locomotive. Your suggestions and ideas please.

You can also remove the sound decoder and add some jumper wires to get a DC only locomotive . spookshow.net shows how to do it if you look up the locomotive there .

[Joetrain59]

Are the MRC Tech 4's any better than the 2's?
 Joe D

[woodchip]

 I'd only buy it if you are prepared to consider acquiring a DCC system. It'll work on DC but you'll miss out on so many of the functions the only comparison I could offer is having a audiophile sound system with only one speaker and no sub woofer. I'd consider Digitrax or NCE as both have starter sets at the 150-200 $ range. There are articles on how to use both on the same layout although not at the same time. I've one sound loco a Rapido GMD-1 and it's truly a pleasure operate,I don't know if I'd want a room full of sound equipped engines but one or two add what is a true smile factor to operating a model railroad and the benefits of DCC in my opinion and it's only mine outweigh the possible the disadvantages
     Hugh
       In Canada eh

[GN63]

I have a couple of Bachmann steam locomotives with DCC and I run them on my DC layout all the time (well, as often as I run anything) - they work well, but do take more volts get get them going and do have a limited top speed - but probably close to prototype.

[mmagliaro]

rickb773: 

The Tech 2 has a really strong pulse.  I've had a couple of them here. 
The Tech 2 have a switch to turn the pulse off.    Did you try it with the pulse turned off?  I would have thought that would be okay.

Can't say what the pulse is like on a Tech 4.  Never had one.

I really think the best option is to bypass the decoder if you are going to run it on DC.  You will get rid of the headache of the decoder eating up half your throttle range and possible getting confused by the DC pack's pulses.    Bypassing decoders is usually not that hard.   Like it or not, the marketplace is going toward everything coming with built-in decoders.  So you have two choices:  Start using DCC or learn how to bypass decoders.   I don't think "living with it" and running DCC-equipped engines on a DC layout is a good option.

I do not use DCC on my layout, but when I repair or test engines, I don't even start until I have bypassed the decoder.

[fhmac]

Thank you all for your comments.  I find them very helpful.

[rickb773]

rickb773: The Tech 2 have a switch to turn the pulse off.    Did you try it with the pulse turned off?  I would have thought that would be okay.

Neither my Tech II 2500s or Tech 3 Power Command packs have a pulse switch.

[C855B]

Neither my Tech II 2500s or Tech 3 Power Command packs have a pulse switch.

Nor does my Tech 4.

[Missaberoad]

My old Tech ii Railmaster 2400 did, but that was before they added momentum and braking. Not sure if there is a connection or conflict between the features?

[mmagliaro]

My old Tech ii Railmaster 2400 did, but that was before they added momentum and braking. Not sure if there is a connection or conflict between the features?

These are the ones I saw (with the pulse switch).   I didn't realize they left it off of some versions of the "Tech II".