Maybe the reason they put dummy couplers on is because they figure only a dummy buys their stuff......Me included.
I bought the Bachmann GE 44 ton switcher last month and it works pretty well overall. It easily pulls 4 cars up 4% grade and doesn't stall on switch tracks. The nonworking couplers couple up easily to Microtrain and Accumate couplers. The LED headlight is bright white; I prefer the golden yellow. My biggest complaint is that I can't program it. I have a Digitrax Zephyr DCC system coupled with JMRI 2.7.1. I tried the Bachmann 4 function decoder on both the programming track and the main line to no avail. On the programming track the status is no locomotive on track and no response from locomotive. I tried all the programming modes without success. I also tried programming directly on the Zephyr; no joy. The locomotive does not provide a response. The instructions indicate that it can be programmed with an NMRA-compliant DCC system. Does anyone have suggestions for what is necessary to program this puppy?
Mine programmed fine. Program on the main in either Opps or Paged mode. I can't remember which I used. If you program in paged mode, you have to turn the power back on after each programming step. I have played with startup voltage, acceleration/decel rate, max voltage and the address with no problems.
Someone made a very thorough post about the decoder in the 44T on the Bachmann board. It may help. http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9613.0.html
Thanks for the pointer to the Bachmann site. I will post there to see if anyone else has programming issues. I've programmed Lenz, TCS and Digitrax decoders without problems. This is the first time I've had any problem programming a decoder.
The first time that I tried to program the 44 tonner it was no problem with my Zephyr (& JMRI). The next time, I tried everything and nothing worked. Somewhere I found a post that suggested putting a 1k resistor across the rails of the programming track and I did it and it worked. Don't know why but it did. Danny
I just tried the 1K across the programming track and it worked. Thanks for the tip! I'll have to file this tidbit away along with wearing dead chickens around the neck, or is it waving them over one's head, as arcane knowledge for recalcitrant decoders.
Just received my Bachmann GE-44 in PRR. Its running now on my small layout pulling 7 cars at scale speeds - hard to believe it is an Bachmann model. Not planning on buying one of these despite of generally good reviews on the internet. Then I remembered about a year ago what happened on the Strasburg railroad. We were waiting to leave the station - then there was an delay as the 0-6-0 that coupled to our train disconnected an limped back to the shop. The conductor said that the grate on the engine had fallen down into the ash pan. So the backup engine - their GE-44 coupled up and took on the trip. The train did not make the usual stop at the picnic area as it on a grade and the diesel could not start the train on the hill. Looks like that’s all the new locos for the rest of the year having bought the Kato SD70ace, the Atlas CW40-8, and this model. Next year looks like it will be an GEVO in CSX from somebody.
