Trainworld has some great deals on Bachmann...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

DD40AX DCC + sound -$70
GP7, NW2, RS3, 44 Tonner, DCC -$50 select schemes
2-6-0, 70 Tonner -$60 select schemes

By far the best deal is the Alco 2-6-0 which is one of my favorite engines in N scale. I may pick up another B&M unit for the Thai layout.

[MichaelWinicki]

Couldn't stand it...

I need another switcher like I need to switch to HO scale but that PRR NW2 for $49.95 proved irresistible.

I own its NYC mate and that runs... Well, better than a Bachmann ought too.

Welcome to your new home PRR NW2!

[Albert in N]

  How well do Bachmann DCC locos run on DC?  Would there ever be a problem from running on straight DC using an MRC Tech4 power pack?  Yes, their $60 Alco 2-6-0 is tempting, plus a GP-7.

[rickb773]

How well do Bachmann DCC locos run on DC?

I cannot speak for the newer MRC power packs but I can tell you Bachmann K4 Pacifics do not run well on MRC Tech II or Tech III packs.
One of my operators brought his to an Op Session and it was very spastic.
I was told the older MRC power packs still contain an element of pulse power which affects their performance.

I do have a couple of Bachmann GP7s with the DCC/DC options and they run just fine on DC.

[Rossford Yard]

Well, how do they run on DCC?  My little switching layout could use a vintage RS 3 or GP9 for switching.

[MichaelWinicki]

Well, how do they run on DCC?  My little switching layout could use a vintage RS 3 or GP9 for switching.

I have two of each and they run great via DCC. 

Yeah, the decoders are rather basic, but for my needs the locomotives perform as well my Atlas or Kato made units.

[Rossford Yard]

Thanks.  For $50, can't hurt to get an RS3.  Think the Geeps were a bit more expensive, depending on road, but mine would be secondhand patch jobs anyway. I am modeling a generic industrial park, which could use anything for its little switch job.

[MichaelWinicki]

Thanks.  For $50, can't hurt to get an RS3.  Think the Geeps were a bit more expensive, depending on road, but mine would be secondhand patch jobs anyway. I am modeling a generic industrial park, which could use anything for its little switch job.

At $50 they're a great value.

[milw12]

Nice catch Daniel, my wallet is lighter but a new 2-6-0 is headed my way. I'm okay with it 

[Rossford Yard]

Took the plunge.  Damn, didn't even think to get a token steamer just in case I want to backdate....maybe I can amend the order!

[MichaelWinicki]

Received the PRR NW2 on Saturday... Gave it test-drive today. 

Very nice.

Runs smooth.

Well worth the investment.

[Rich_S]

I cannot speak for the newer MRC power packs but I can tell you Bachmann K4 Pacifics do not run well on MRC Tech II or Tech III packs.
One of my operators brought his to an Op Session and it was very spastic.
I was told the older MRC power packs still contain an element of pulse power which affects their performance.

Rick, I had similar results with my MRC Tech II and my Bachmann PRR K4 Pacific's. The performance on DC was marginal and the slow speed performance in my opinion was poor. But the slow speed performance on DCC is fantastic. Even the sound on DC was marginal. They call them dual mode decoders, but so far in my opinion the best performance is on DCC. 

 

[mmagliaro]

Rick, I had similar results with my MRC Tech II and my Bachmann PRR K4 Pacific's. The performance on DC was marginal and the slow speed performance in my opinion was poor. But the slow speed performance on DCC is fantastic. Even the sound on DC was marginal. They call them dual mode decoders, but so far in my opinion the best performance is on DCC. 

 

The Tech II is a bad one to use as a metric for whether or not a decoder handles DC well, because it has a very powerful and harsh pulse.   If you could turn the pulse off, or use a throttle with a gentle sine wave pulse riding on top of the DC, I bet the decoder would work fine.