I have a hybrid layout of EZ Track (Nickel-Silver) and flex track.  I have two Bachmann crossovers that have been in the layout nearly a year.  I operate the crossovers manually because it's easier to do so than to go through DCC commands. 
Ten days or so ago, I manually changed one crossover from divergent to straight, and the system shorted out.  I turned it back to divergent, and the system restarted.  That happened several times in a row, so I unplugged the layout, re-plugged it, and everything worked fine.   The next day, the same thing occurred, then it went downhill from there.  For a short time, I could physically adjust the crossover's position by pressing down on it and keep it from shorting.  But that changed, too.

Now, whenever locomotive wheels touch the frog, the system shorts.  This problems occurs only when the loco is traveling the main line.  If it is on the divergent rail, no short occurs.  Flipping the manual switch in either direction does not short the layout.

My guess is that the DCC decoder in the unit has malfunctioned, and it is not properly directing the current through the frog.

In the picture below, you can see the narrowness of the gap between the frog and the junction of the main and divergent rails on the right.  I have widened that gap slightly, but doing so did not change the problem.

The other crossover works well.  In it, the corresponding gap is slightly larger than one that is giving trouble.  With the widening of the gap, they are now about the same.

I've searched this forum and have done Google searches as well.  I've consulted two members of this forum, but have not been able to straighten out this problem.

The only solution may be removing the crossover and replacing it with a pair of large radius turnouts.

Any other ideas out there?  I welcome any advice that could help me resolve this problem.

Thanks.

In an attempt to get a simple answer to a simple question, I have posted a thread on this forum.  I have had helpful responses, but no response from Bachmann, who could answer the question quickly.

I called Bachmann yesterday.  I listened to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," an advertisement, and a voice telling me that my call was important to them and that he apologized for the delay. I listened for a long time.  No answer.

I called at 9:02 this morning.  I have been placed on hold for 40 minutes and counting.

I also sent a PM to the Yardmaster.

My question is simple: What is the wiring diagram for Bachmann turnouts and crossovers?

I have several EZ Track crossovers and turnouts that I would like to be able to control with my control panel buttons or toggles rather than with my NCE Power Cab.  I also want to have red/green light identification for turnout position. 

Before I take apart the  bottom of an  EZ Track turnout, I'd like to know which wire operates what.

I'd appreciate an help with this matter.

I bought a Bachmann Alco RS-3 three months ago.  It has DCC on board, but not sound.  Bachmann offers a DCC RS-3 with sound, so I assume there's room within the loco housing for the speaker and the module.   

I've searched through Bachmann's parts inventory under the RS-3 listing, but have not found an appropriate module.  Soundtraxx says they are available and gives a list of dealers.

First, how difficult is it to change the current DCC (non-sound module) for one with sound?

Second, now that I use an NCE Power Cab, should I look for a sound module that allows more features than the Sound Value? 

I have a layout question.  There are three images below of the left side of my layout: one distant, two closer up, showing a locomotive storage area and a lumber operation.

I've laid the track for all except the lumber area.  I've done some research but would like to get your input on the track in this area.  I imagine logs coming in on flat cars from the right side of the layout from behind the locomotive building and being backed into lumber area.

Would there need to be separate areas for off-loading the timber and loading the processed lumber, chips, etc.? Or would the big gravel area be sufficient and let fork lifts and bob cats sort things out?  Or is this a bad plan from the jump?

By the way, the layout is on a one inch piece of foam board.  The lumber operation sits above the layout on another 1" piece of foam board.  The outer loop is a 3% incline to the mountain on the other half of the layout.  The incline begins in the bottom curve, rises one inch, then flattens enough for the turnout into the industry, then continues up the mountain to its 4.5" top. 

Thanks for any input you can offer!

This is an old locomotive parked at the former station of the Pickens Doodle Railroad, an old spur of what is now a main NS line between Charlotte and Atlanta.  The 8 mile track has been changed into a hiking/walking/biking path. Its completion will be celebrated tomorrow. 

I was wondering what model of diesel this was.

Any help?

Now this is weathering!

I am planning to add power feeds to my layout.

I have two EZ Track terminals/rerailers, which I'd like to use for two of these feeds.

The cable that connects the controller to the track can go into the terminal either way.  It doesn't matter with only one power feed, but with multiple ones, I need to know which piece connects to which side of the terminal rail--without having to take the piece apart.

See the image here:
http://www.amazon.com/Bachmann-Trains-Snap-Fit-Straight-Terminal/dp/B0006N7414/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432154241&sr=8-1&keywords=bachmann+terminal+ez+track

Thanks.

I am considering either a mining theme or a logging one, set in the Blue Ridge Mtns.  I suppose either would work, but I wonder which would be the most workable. 

The turnout to this industry is off my layout's mainline.  The turnout occurs at a flat section of a 3% incline and is 4" off the board.  It is a Bachmann 44130, which has an 18"r divergent leg (I know that's not the best idea, but that's what I have).  The "mine" would sit at a flat section at 4" above the table..

The picture shows a small yard at the end of the incline.

The left half of the layout extends the main line into a big loop.  There is also a turnout to a connecting line to the bigger world (construed as a Norfolk-Southern line).  In this other part of the layout is another turnout to an industry and another to an engine repair/storage shed.

The two loops are complete.  The sidings are in various states of completion and a station for scenic rides.

Right side of layout:
http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/kdgrant6/media/May%208%20-%20considering%20trestle%20to%20Mining%20Spur%203_zpsz48dxeat.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Left side:
http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/kdgrant6/media/1%20-%20May%2010%20-%20Left%20Side%20for%20Posting%202_zpschervjn5.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions.

Could anyone recommend an HO scale bridge for a curved piece of EZ Track that crosses over a track beneath it?  The top track is on a set of Woodland Scenic 3% risers about 4" above the foam board.

Bachmann offers one in O and N scale, but not in HO.

I have a fairly large layout of all EZ Track.  All four locomotives and most of my rolling stock are Bachmann.  So I've been supportive of this company.  However, for an experiment, I am adding a modest expansion to this layout and have purchased Code 100 track and Peco turnouts for this purpose.  I have purchased Midwest cork for the road bed. 

I have two questions: first, I have used two-sided carpet tape to attach my EZ Track and Woodland Scenics inclines to my Owens-Corning foam board.  I plan to do the same with the cork.  Would that be a good idea, or would white glue be better?

2nd, does cork still need to be soaked in hot water to make it suitable for curves?

Again, EZ Track's ease of assembly (and disassembly) has enabled me to experiment with layouts.  Such experimentation would not have been practical with track/cork layouts.  I'm not jumping ship.  I'm just wondering.

I would appreciate any feedback.

I have an all-EZ Track DCC layout, first on a 4x8, then expanded into another, slightly smaller table with a 2x2.5' connecting section.  I have two DCC crossovers and three turnouts.

All Bachmann.

However, in this expansion, I need turnouts that would occupy a smaller space and have different degrees of diverging track than those offered by Bachmann.

In back-reading this forum, I found that Len offered an excellent suggestion for Bachmann to expand its turnout offerings. Having these options would appeal to those of us who would prefer to use EZ Track but whose layouts require something else. 

(You can link back to Len's very helpful thread here: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,29628.0.html)

I would like to control several of these non-EZ Track turnouts.  Four of them are in an industry area that will have 2 inches on foam on top of the ply wood.  The other turnout I need to remotely control is on a plateau, with 5 inches of foam underneath it.  (I know that's a lot.)

The depth of foam seems to rule out under-the-board mounted switches even with piano wire to extend the throw.  And the surface-mounted ones I've seen are rather bulky.

I don't think Bachmann makes any products that would address this problem.

I would welcome any suggestions?

I'm new to this hobby and was wondering what single publication (in terms of magazines) would you recommend in regard to HO model railroading?

Someone else recommended nailing down EZ Track to secure it.  That individual pointed out that each piece of EZ track had still closed hole outlines to accommodate track nails.  All one needs to do is open the hole and drive a nail.

Into what?  Foam?  Will foam hold enough to make a difference?

Will double-sided carpet tape (Lowe's SureTape) work better?

Just wondering.

Do the nails need to be 9 inches?

Just kidding.

I'm on my 2nd left crossover.  The first had a problem that, according to Bachmann's service department, was caused by a defective switch.  I sent it back to MB Klein, who sent a new one that has the same problem.  So I'm assuming that it's something that I've done wrong.

The problem: I programmed the crossover to respond to #4 on my DCC Command.  I used a separate piece of track to program the crossover. 

When I power up the layout, the problem crossover may or may not respond to the # 4 button (after I've pressed 9 and the yellow buttons).  If I run the train's through a time or two, the crossover works.  Then it may go out again.  What I mean is that almost always one of the two switches for the crossover will work, but the other is the one that will hang up.  If I manually adjust it a couple of times, it usually works for a few switches, or it may work and then stop again.

It sounds like a wiring problem, but nothing seems loose and I've checked the EZ Track on either side of the crossover.

The likelihood of both crossovers being bad is possible, but I feel, not likely.

It seems to be operator error.

I'd really welcome some help.

New at this, I received the Bachmann DCC Echo Valley set.  I connected the EZ Track, put the little locomotive on the track, and ran it in the default 3 position on the EZ Command.

That was its break in.

I bought another loco, DCC with no sound.  I broke it in by putting it on the track by itself and running it in its 3 position.  Then I put both locos on the track and ran them together (the Echo ran faster). Then I took the Echo off and programmed the other loco for the 2 position.  That has worked fine.

On Monday, I have a Bachmann GP7 DCC w/Sound coming .  I plan to program it in the 4 position by putting it on a separate piece of powered track.

Is that right?

Then what? How long do I run it on this separate track?  When I put it on the main layout, do I do anything special?  When do I oil it? What oil?  Will 3-In One work?

All mostly dumb questions, I'd hazard a guess, but I would very much appreciate guidance on this.

A curved Terminal Rerailer would be more convenient in my layout.  Are there any reasons to stay away from those instead of a straight piece?  I use 18" radius curves.

Thanks.

I bought a used Walther boxcar that came without one EZ mate coupler and the housing cover that attaches with a screw.  I have extras couplers, but I don't have an extra cover nor screw.  Walthers doesn't show one on its site, at least not one I can find.

Any suggestions?

I am running the following on a layout of under 100 total feet of EZ Track:

2 Bachmann Locomotives, both DCC, one with sound
2 DCC Crossovers
3 DCC turnouts

The only power is the 1 amp transformer that the Echo Valley Set came with.

In answering a question on Amazon, one reviewer wrote that he upgraded power to his Bachmann DCC layout only after going beyond 5 locomotives and nearly 400 ft. of track.  He claims the 1 amp is sufficient unless a user expands a layout considerably.  Bachmann manual states that running more than 2 locos may require additional power. 

I have no problems running my layout now, but I have a 3rd DCC loco (with sound) coming, and plan on expanding the layout even more. 

I'm wondering what other users have experienced concerning power upgrades for the Bachmann DCC controllers.

Thanks for any enlightenment.

I have an apparently defective Bachmann DCC crossover.  After initially working when I programmed it, it now switches only one of the two rails.  I've reprogrammed it several times with the same results.

I called Bachmann Returns and Repair and spoke with the man in charge.  I received a peculiar reply.

He told me the recommended way to program any DCC product--whether it be a locomotive, a turn out, or a crossover.  Bachmann recommends having a separate "service rail" consisting of another terminal and a couple pieces of track.  He said trying to program DCC on an operating layout would cause problems.

However, I have programmed two locomotives, three turn outs, and another crossover successfully by just "programming them in place" in my expanded original layout.

I was wondering about other people's experience with DCC programming.

This is my first layout.  I am running it to without the EZ firmly attached just make sure that's the way I want it.

My question is: do you glue down EZ track, or do you permanently attach it at all? 

My layout is on a 4x8 train table.  The underlayment is a 1 inch sheet of Owens Corning foam. 

I have Woodland Scenics 3% inclines, which are pinned now, but I plan on gluing them to the foam sheet.

Can I just pin the track (a 2" foam pin on each side of the inclines at intervals)?

I can use 1" finishing nails to press into the foam on the track that is not on inclines.

I would welcome ideas.

Thanks.