Aside from the price of the 44597, the gaps are in the middle of the track. Or 4.5" away from the connected turnout, which is further than some people like. And on a reverse loop using 18in radius 'train set' track, there's also the problem of no place to put a 9" straight on the diverging loop. Meaning gaps would have to be created using another means anyway, as show here. Red bars indicate gap locations:



Len

I don't know about calling EZ Command a "standard" system, Ralph.  If you don't want to call it a training system I can understand that, but I myself think "economy" system might be a better term for such a stripped down system.  I'd think that what you call "advanced" is more akin to "standard" in the model railroad world as a whole since I suspect a lot more of them are powering DCC layouts than EZ Command.

None of this, of course is meant to denigrate EZ Command.  For what it is, it is very good, and got me past the DCC Intimidation Stage, which DCC can really do to a beginner.

Hi,

I am currently using the EZ Track system and I have a few x-overs using 2 turnouts. Two of my turnouts work perfectly together but the other two are not synced. I did see a method for resetting the starting position on the switch in the product specification sheet. However, I think the setting called for a button I didn't have on my Digitrax controller DT602D. Do you have another way to change the original position of the turnout using my Digitrax controller? It would be great to use one number for the two turnouts/X-over.

I would love some advice. Also is there an alternate way to put power wipers on the Acela locomotive so the power wipers aren't used to clean off the wheel and supply power to the locomotive? It would be great if you have a power wiper the sits on the side of the wheel instead of the surface that touches the track. I'm just saying..

I wonder if it's possible to bend the copper on the current wiper to go on the side? It would be nice not to have to pay for an entire truck to get 4 small pieces of copper to test with. It would be even better if Bachmann realized their mistake with the power wipers and corrected it themselves.

Then knowing how awful the original wipers were, they could send out a letter saying they would replace up to 8 wipers for the cost of shipping, for those who would like their locomotives to have the same power standards as even some of your very old models.

I have 3 powered Acela locomotives and two dummies and 9 cars. All DCC.
 
Thanks in advance.

Tom

Maybe very dirty wheels and poor electrical connections within the locomotive.

Is the Dynamis controller getting a bad rap?
I performed a more in-depth search on the four models of EZ command controllers, I also did this for other manufacturers (not included here).   What I've concluded is that the EZ command (like everyone has been informing me) is a basic system.  Okay, great, I understand that based on the table below.  The controllers I have are the "discontinued" ones, or the catalog just doesn't list their model numbers.  The EZ Command Plus seems to have basically the same functions as my controllers.   

When I compare the Dynamis to the EZ Command there is a significant difference.  As one forum member indicated the Dynamis is a "Standard DCC system".  I take issue with that since, if you buy a "standard car" it will have four wheels, doors, and engine/motor, headlights, and maybe a radio.  The EZ command to me is that "Standard DCC system".  The Dynamis is an, for all practical purposes, an "Advance system".  Just like an "Enhanced Car" that has the standard features and also have GPS, Bluetooth, premier sound system, front and rear cameras, fancy keys for ignition, you get the picture.

So, in my travels around the US visiting the few model railroad clubs and asking questions about the controllers they use (of course, most know that answer) I'm still at a lost as to why the Dynamis isn't one of the controllers being used.

Dynamis vs EZ Command

|    select       |  E-Z Command  |     EZ Command      | Dynamis    | Dynamis Pro    |                     |  (discontinued) |       (Plus)                 |                   |           ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Max number |         2                |          2                     |     1            |      128    |  of Cabs         |                          |                                 |                   | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Max number |         2                |          2                     |     1            |     128    | of Addresses |                           |                                 |                   | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | 2 or 4 digit    |         2                |          2                     |     1            |    128    |  Addresses    |                           |                                 |                   | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Consist          |       Max 3*         |            ?                   |     40          |      40    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |Speed Control|       Knob           |         Knob               |  Joystick     |  Joystick ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |  Current        |       1.0 Amp      |         1.0 Amp          |  2.5 Amp    | 4.0 Amp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Support for    |        Yes              |        Yes                   |     Yes         |    Yes    | Walkaround   |                           |                                 |                   | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | DC controller |        Yes              |        No                   |       ?         |     ?    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Support for    |        Yes              |        Yes                   |     Yes         |    Yes    |Power Booster|                            |                                |                   | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Support for    |        3 or 4          |       3 or 4               |    >4            |  >4  |Sound Decoder|      functions     |    functions             | functions    | functions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Accessory      |      Limited by     |     Limited by         |      ?             |    ?  | decoder         |       Current         |     Current              |                    | | Capability      |        capacity       |      capacity            |                    | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                  | Number of     |        Max 10        |        10 or ?            | > 10            |  > 10  | CV functions  |      functions       |       functions         | functions    | functions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            | Wireless         |    No                   |        No                  |   Optional    |  Yes | Capability      |                            |                               |                     |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            | Computer      |        No                |        No                  |   Optional    |  Yes | Control          |                             |                               |                     |    | Capability      |                             |                               |                     |  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------            | Warranty       |       1 year           |         1 year             |    1 year       |  1 Year    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:  ? -indicates ambiguous information, unable to definitively determine
            > -indicates varying information sources, but definitely greater than the number given
            *  -indicates my experience with EZ command with 3 locomotives
          --- -Based on the Bachmann 2024 catalog, the Basic EZ command (model 44932 & 44901)
                 were deemed discontinued, replaced by EZ Command Plus


References:
This forum search "Dynamis".
Programming Long addresses With EZ Command
Converting to DCC.
Model Train forums websites - several
U-Tube search on "Dynamis"
Google search via European Model trains by Bachmann

PS. If you are wondering why I'm traveling down this path.  I am worried that the Bachman company might give up on advancing their basic controllers.  The EZ plus maybe just a step away from becoming an advanced version of itself.  I don't want Bachmann to can (quit) that advancement like they did the Walk-around.   

All opinions/corrections/etc. welcome...
 

The model numbers (44829 and 44899) that you were referring to are "N" scale track.

There is an easier way to gap tracks for a return loop.  It's slightly more pricey but you don't have to cut EZ track.  Bachmann's 9-inch Terminal with Insulated Gap Track is easy to use.  It's model 44597.  The plus behind it, is you can still use it as a regular 9-inch straight track even with the gap, and that's just by closing the connections on it's bottom base.

Hope that helps.

With N Scale Gordon and Emily due for release by the end of the year, as well as Henrietta, progress has to have been started on Diesel/Paxton by this point, and we should see an unpainted sample by the end of the year. I still hope N Scale Henry gets announced this NMRA. If not, then for sure the 2025 catalog. More N Scale rolling stock is bound to be announced this NMRA, like some non-troublesome variants of the 7-plank wagons (which we desperately need), Red Coaches, or a 20-Ton Brake Van. If another new tooling gets announced for HO Scale this NMRA, or the 2025 catalog, the best choices would be Whiff or Nia, or for rolling stock, the Works Unit Coach, which can be made in green, orange and blue. Winston in HO Scale would also be a great choice with the figure packs in mind; Sir Topham Hatt can drive him.

Doug said there were currently no big plans for the 80th Anniversary at this time, since they're still catching up on lots of previously announced products that haven't been released yet. Fortunately, many of them will be released by the end of the year if all goes well. Beau is supposed to arrive in stock by the end of June. Unpainted samples of Stanley and Sir Handel are on the way, and bound to be revealed this summer. We've already seen HO Scale Rebecca, as well as N Scale Emily and Henrietta fully painted; awaiting delivery dates. Sir Topham Hatt's Car is in the unpainted stage, and we'll soon see all four 12-Ton Vans painted.

Henry I belive is next my predictions for the NMRA 2024 N scale announcements are the following

Henry
1 plank wagon with brendam cargo and freight crate
1 plank wagon with Sodor steam works crate
Thomas saves Santa's sleigh set

 

Hi. I'm currently new to this Bachmann forum. And yes, I'm a big Thomas and friends fan. Anyway, I agree with everyone that Edward and Henry would be next for N scale from Thomas and friends. And I also strongly agree that the cgi mandate is unfair. Plus the cgi mandate is irrelevant and unnecessary, especially considering how the show was rebooted in the first place.