I've fitted the 2 six pin decoders back into both drive locos, they had the blanking plugs in for dc running and ran beautifully.
With the decoders in it runs great on dcc but now won't run at all on dc.
As I bought it on ebay a few weeks ago I do not know if these 2 decoders were supplied with the set as new or whether they might have been bought later, so I have no idea if they are meant simply for dcc. Should all dcc decoders be able to run on dc too?
They are shrouded in blue plastic.
Also is there a way of knowing which way they fit? They do go in both ways up.

Quote from: badgercote on November 08, 2015, 09:52:35 PM
They are shrouded in blue plastic.
Also is there a way of knowing which way they fit? They do go in both ways up.

Sounds like the Bachmann decoders. They should have a white dot next to pin one, if I remember correctly.

As for DC running, I'm not sure they have that capability.

There is a CV that has to be set to allow DC running as well as DCC. Can't recollect which one, but someone will be along soon to tell you. Alternatively, there is often a bit of paper with a list of these things in with the decoder.

From your description of a decoder in blue heat-shrink, I think you've got  pair of Bachmann's 36-558 decoders. These didn't work on DC (and couldn't be programmed to do so either!). The more recent 36-558A does work on DC.

There should be a white dot next to pin one. If you put it in upside down you'll find the lights will come on when you turn the throttle up (and the loco start moving when you use F0 to turn the lights on!)

Happy modelling.

Steven B.

Adding 4 to the value in CV29 should enable analogue running (e.g. CV29=6 instead of 2 for a short address or CV29=38 instead of 34 for a long address).

36-558 will not permit analogue running, and has been superceded by 36-558a. They physically look the same.

I suspect that 36-558 could be used in the unmotorised car without causing a problem under analogue, just to control the lights.

All sorted now... as you have suggested they were the older Bachmann decoders which I have replaced with 36-558A.
Thanks also to Digitrains in Lincoln today... I ended up getting 4 decoders and lots of helpful advice.

Glad to hear the problem is resolved. Well done 'the Collective'