I have heard people mention decoders in switches and other layout accesories.  Are these decoders then controlled by the DCC controller?
I have a few switches and two of them have decoders installed.  I thought it would be neat to control them with the dcc controller.  I am using EZ track.

Thanks

Thanks KCS.  I emailed you from my work email.  I appreciate that very much!

And thank you Rangerover also.  I appreciate the detail you used in explaining.  I dont expect to have 99 locos running at once, and thought that was a stretch when I saw the specs of the higher dollar units.  If I could run 3 or 4, I would be happy as can be.  I have about 6 locos now, but only one is DCC ready, and even it needs a decoder installed to work.  The others older, and only one is probably worth the price of the decoder card.  The others may have to stay on DC for now.

Thank you both again for your assistance.

I have been in the market for a DCC controller, but had heard that Bachmann was not the recommended unit.  The local retailer recommended NCE, MRC, and Lenz over Bachmann for DCC control.  I believe his major gripe was that Bachmann did not have the abilty to handle or power as many cabs?  Any suggestions?

Thanks guys.  I hadnt thought about the approach.  I will try the code 100 track.

Richard

Quote from: Conrail Quality on February 04, 2008, 08:26:09 PM
By now, I'm convinced that Bachmann will release the EZ-Track book when CSX and Norfolk Southern announce merger plans .

This gave me a laugh...  I spotted a Norfolk Southern locomotive a few weeks ago in Western Maryland pulling a freight load.  Maybe that is a good sign for the layout book.

And yes, the catalog would be nice too. 

Richard

Is Bachmann looking into offering a turntable?  I use the EZ Track and was wondering if Bachmann would ever offer a turntable.  Using other turntables requires cutting the EZ Track in order for it to fit.  I was just wondering if there was another way.

Thanks,

Richard

 
Not to beat a dead horse... I was just wondering when the layout book will be available for sale?  I have heard several dates and just wanted to get a better idea so I knew when to get it.

Thanks!

Thanks everyone.  I am using the grey roadbed, Nickel/Silver track and switches.  I have heard of the twisted switch issue before and will need to get it out of the layout and check it out.  From my vantage point, the rails appear to be ground correctly but I will need to get it out and recheck.

Thanks again!

There has been alot of discussion on this topic here, and I am hoping someone has an answer.  I use Bachmann EZ Track for my layout.  I prefer using EZ track because it can be used on carpet, moved to different locations if necessary.  I have been rather disappointed with the EZ track switches.  I think it is probably a weak spring.  After running for a while, the switch moves slightly off the railside, causing the cars or locomotive to derail.  Most derailments happen to the lead truck on the steam locomotive or when a switch changes in the middle of a car, the front truck goes one way and the rear truck goes off another.

I appreciate your advice.

Richard

I think I am not the only person who has been disappointed that the book has taken years to accomplish.  I started with my first train set almost 2 years ago, and it was at that point that I logged on to this site and heard that a layout book was being designed for publication.  If nothing else, I would say that publicity of an upcoming product should be rethought on the next project.

I still hope to get the book, just disappointed that it has taken so long.

Richard

I have had similar problems with the my 2-8-0 and my switches.  I read the link provided by Tom, and it covers many of the issues I have dealt with.  My main two issues have been switch derailments (of which, the front trucks have jumped track) and rough transitions over rail joints.  I also believe that there is a spring issue, because my switches do tend to stray towards the curve after not being changed for a while.  This leads to a derailment in the middle of the train, where the locomotive and tender will go one way and the first car will go off the other.

Thank you!

I have been looking forward to designs with more than just simple ovals!

Any idea on a release date?

Thanks Gene.

I noticed that there is a size difference in some decoders as well.  I guess this has to do with what will fit in specific locomotives or tenders?  As far as the differences between decoders, I just wanted to make sure that I was not going to miss out on specific sounds and actions available.  Do the decoders automatically associate sound with movement?  For example, does it make specific sounds when the locomotive first starts, speeds up, etc.?

I was wondering if someone could tell me what the difference was between sound decoders?  I have a Spectrum 2-8-0 and would like to change it over to DCC with sound.  The hobby shop has decoders varying from $52 to $150.  The most expensive is a Tsunami decoder.  What is the difference?

What ever happened to the Bachmann EZ Track Layout Book?  It was released (last spring I believe) and now the only way you can get it is to buy the expander set of EZ Track.