having trouble with Athearn Locos

[glakedylan]

in my thinking the trains under/around the Christmas tree are open to the utmost foobieness
so, being a SPF I purchased online from a well known LHS the following:
Athearn N 23723 EMD F59PHI, Pennsylvania Railroad #9891
and
Athearn N 23724 EMD F59PHI, Pennsylvania Railroad #9896

my understanding is that why these may be DCC ready or even DCC equipped
that they should still run on my DC Christmas track

I get nothing...no lights, no movement, nothing in terms normal DC sound that current if flowing to anything

was I wrong in my understanding?
are they not compatible with DC?

any help will be appreciated!
sincerely....

[glakedylan]

MBK in fact claims they are DC compatible
but since purchase was made 10/1/2014 in anticipation of Christmas layout
it is beyond 30 day return policy
that I need to contact Athearn and see what they will do, if anything
again, any suggestions?

sincerely,

[djconway]

It sounds like an electrical pickup issue.
First verify that you are getting power to the tracks.
Will the loco run with a 9v battery touching the wheels?  (Eliminates your power pack as the source of the problem.)
If still no go -
Are you comfortable with disassembly of a new loco? I would pop the shell off and look for any thing obvious. Are the contacts clean? Is the light board seated properly? Are the motor contacts making solid contact?

Most newer N scale locos are fairly easy to trouble shoot, once you get past opening it up.

[Mark5]

According to Athearn, it should operate in DC:

http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH23773

[glakedylan]

they is no problem with power to track or other locomotives running perfectly fine on the track
it is only these two new locos
Athearn told me to send them back
there is a 4-6 week turnaround, so they will not see the Christmas loops this year
oh well...
if I remove shells and try to fix myself, I would assume Athearn warranty would be voided
I guess it is running steam this year
two Walthers Heritage Berkshires
1 pulling the MT 12 days of Christmas cars and caboose
1 pulling 6 holiday cars and caboose
it will have to do!

thanks for replies...

[victor miranda]

know any one who has DCC ?
if so you can ask them to re-set the decoder....

or they will be able to tell you the decoder is.. dead.

there is a very small chance the power is not getting into the decoder board.
return it one way or another, is likely to be the best bet.

.... when you have steam engines to run...
why is diesel an option ?

victor

[u18b]

I find it varies from decoder to decoder.
And from throttle to throttle.

I use a Varipulse 820 throttle- which usually loves DCC.

But when I place a Bachman 2-6-0 on it.... nothing.  That decoder just does not like my throttle.
Other Bachman locos do fine.

[peteski]

I find it varies from decoder to decoder.
And from throttle to throttle.

I use a Varipulse 820 throttle- which usually loves DCC.

But when I place a Bachman 2-6-0 on it.... nothing.  That decoder just does not like my throttle.
Other Bachman locos do fine.

That is why using a 9V battery is a good test - the distance between the terminals is perfectly spaced to touch N scale loco's wheels and it supplies pure unadulterated DC!

[glakedylan]

Victor...
for the Christmas, under/around the tree...I go with a toylike effect using Kato Unitrack and the MTL and other holiday cars.
I would not want to put the mileage on my steam...but I am breaking in a Berkshire, nonetheless.
I will trade that out for a diesel of some sort tomorrow
cheers

Gary