I've sent a note to customer service, but also wanted to throw this out here. I just got a Bachmann 4-6-0 with the dual mode decoder. It's supposed to be a holiday gift, but guess that's not happening now. On DC (Kato unitrack + standard power pack), it runs fine in reverse, but only starts forward at a very narrow range of power (around the first dot on the controller), then the light turns off and the engine stalls when power is increased. On my DCC track (Kato unitrack + DCC++/JMRI), it doesn't register any power at all. Completely dead. I have both DC and DCC engines. They work with both setups just fine. Here's a video showing the DC operation. You can see how the light turns off and engine stops when I increase the forward power. Any ideas?
The only thing I can think of on the surface are dirty wheels but I'm assuming you've checked that. Looks like a power delivery and/or binding mechanism issue. Unless you know steamers I would either send it back to where you purchased it or to Bachmann. Faster if you deal with the place of purchase as if you send it back to Bachmann, it can take a long time for them to get it back to you.
Bachmann sent a note right back, but just asking for the model number. The seller said they would take it back. But I'm just so frustrated. And yes, I cleaned the tracks, etc. My other locomotives, including the very sensitive Atlas 4-4-0's, worked fine on both DC and DCC, same setups.
If you are seeking a replacement instead of a refund, ask the seller to test before sending. Sometimes the Bachmann stuff is a hit or miss, more so with steam as they are more complex in nature. I only have two Bachmann locos, both diesels. I held my breath until I got them on a test track!
MVP: Have you tried resetting the decoder? Maybe worth trying before sending to anyone. It costs nothing but a few minutes of time, very little risk, and huge payoff if it works. Jim
Bachmann uses dual mode decoders that run on DC or DCC just put it on a DC track and it will run unless the board is toast.
I hate throwing out negative stuff. You know the wet blanket thing. But I will... anyway. Harrumph! I don't know how to fix your problem and over the years the only real satisfaction was sending it back to Bachman and see if they can fix it. Most of the time they sent me a new one with the same problems. It got so frustrating that I finally resorted to giving them away or sold off everything I had. I'd had it with everything that came from Bachmann and swore off buying anymore. Until a friend of mine talked me into buying his Bachmann 4-6-O that he has customized into a Union Pacific yard goat. It turned out nice and I still have it and another unit he customized. Lettered into the Tonopah and Tidewater along with a box car and a passenger car or two. I will hang onto these even if they become shelf queens. Otherwise, I steer clear of buying anything that is Bachmann. Sorry, not good news to share with you. I'll leave you to decide for yourself. Not a happy camper with Bachmann.
I agree but OP states that the place/person where he bought it from is taking it back. Faster than returning it to Bachmann, waiting a few months, and then getting a new one with the same problem, as you have experienced.
I have three of these and have hardwired DCC decoder's into two of them and am using the Bman decoder on the third. The Bman one works ok, but it is not a sound equipped DCC, just dual mode. I do plan to replace it with a hardwired sound decoder. I have a plethora of Bman steam, most of it very reliable, their 4-6-2 K4s is great, the 2-8-8-4, a 2-8-0 and several others. The 4-8-4 is junk, as is a lot of the older stuff. Pay attention to Spookshow, you won't go astray.
With the 4-6-0 only made a slow chuffing like idling. Neither moved. On DC there is nothing with both. I bought them and the DCC controller back in '08 and they have just sat.
