Based on reading, I believe I might be able to operate my EZ command with a good DC regulated power supply.Any help on this would be appreciated.I have a stepdown transformer for use in Australia but a quality DC supply may be superior to the 16V AC plug pack included. Looking forward to any advice.
  Burto   au
' Keep smiling and be thankful for small mercies,for lots of small ones make up a big one.'

I recently purchased a Spectrum Dash 8 in Santa Fe ( Red /Silver)Factory DC with an aftermarket decoder from a reputable US store.A very impressive loco.After looking at it for a couple of months I placed it on a DC track.It quickly caught up with the DCC Conrail Dash 8 and the DCC Union Pacific SD40.It  lost its forward headlight, so all three locos were reversed a short distance and stopped.I connected a higher quality transformer/controller from a 70's Tyco set built for Australian use?!*%#!!On applying power to my red and silver pride and joy, I immediately fried the decoder, with a great gush of whitish smoke from under the front trucks/ bogies.On examination, the small decoder was sitting loosely on top of a long PCB board.The power pickup came from two screws inserted in the top front of the frame halves (are these original?).The decoder has the 'black hole' on the side where the red and orange power wires meet and a cut off green is on the edge.Did I get a spike in voltage as power was applied to the tracks?
This loco has black painted flywheels(rather than clear brass)and no windshield wipers(not in packet inside).What vintage is this loco?I have seen brass flywheels elsewhere on 2005 forum posts.Furthermore,the
Santa Fe red signage on both sides is coming off after very little handling.(Was this common?) I have purchased lots of Bachmann locos during the past few months and they do not exhibit the paint problem.Can anyone tell me more about this particular Spectrum model?I have not been able to pick it up from Google.Where do I find replacement safety railing and wipers? Please excuse my lack of knowledge at this stage.

Many thanks,
Burto                ( PS I have better controllers on the way from the US)