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I have a garden scale (Fn3, 1:20.3) Bachmann Shay that fits
into this category. Even though Bachmann put switches in the
top of all three cylinders to activate a chuff sequence, they
didn’t pay SoundTraxx to put the feature in the “DCC sound
on-board” decoder. There is no way to add this feature to the
decoder. I’m stuck with a loco that has to rely on auto-chuff,
even though it has the hardware for a synchronized chuff. This
is in a loco with a list price about $1000.
In the world of non-sound decoders, the manufacturers
frequently don’t spring for the top-of-the-line decoder, either.
In summary, if the manufacturer says that the loco has “DCC
Installed”, expect that the loco will operate on DCC powered
track, but don’t expect a top-of-the-line decoder.
DCC-Ready
About eight years ago, I had a customer purchase a Bachmann
N-scale loco that was advertised as "DCC-Ready." He brought
it to me to install a decoder. I looked inside and didn’t find
what I really expected, like a socket. So, I called Bachmann and
asked what decoder to use. They gave me a part number for an
HO-scale decoder. I pointed out to them that the part number
2
2: Light board from Athearn Ready-to-Run loco.
DCC Impulses Column - 3
I gave them was for the N-scale version of that locomotive. I
asked what N-scale sized decoder to use. There were a bunch
of “hand over the microphone” questions flying around in
Philadelphia. The tech support person came back on the line
and said that there was no decoder available for that loco. I
again pointed out that their box said, "DCC-Ready." The reply
has me laughing to this day: “Well, it is READY for you to put a
decoder into it.”
Okay, on that basis, every locomotive ever made is "DCC-Ready."
My definition is a bit less inclusive. I feel that a customer has
the right to expect a loco sold as "DCC-Ready." to have a socket
in it that will accept decoders manufactured by more than one
company. Once the decoder is plugged in, the loco will function
without loss of lighting functions or control. Converting the
loco to DCC by plugging in the decoder should not increase the
risk of damage to the loco. Likewise the resulting installation
should not risk damage to the decoder.
Someone with no electronic experience should be able to
remove a couple of screws, remove the shell, remove a
connector and plug in a decoder that is available from many
3
3: Digitrax DN163PS decoder installed in an Atlas C424.
MRH-Apr 2013
