Awesome! That's a little bit more money that I can put towards something else!

So... I was doing some more reading on the NCE PowerCab (on NCE's website), and I came across the part where they say that a CP6 circuit protection module must be used. I'm only going to be running, at most, 2 trains at a time. Is that still a necessity or are they just trying to sell product? I'm probably going to only have 3 DCC-equipped locos for a while, especially considering space and financial resources... but I want to make sure that I do things the right way the first time around because of the finances too!

I'm starting to come up with some ideas... now I just have to start feeling well enough to move furniture around and see if I can make the space for what I have in mind! (Polycystic Kidney Disease sucks... constant back pain. Thank goodness I got a transplant exactly 1 year  ago today, because I'd be feeling awful all over on top of the pain!)

Eric

I appreciate everyone's help and advice! You all put my mind at ease, which is a great thing in this current situation!

So, with using E-Z Track, would I have to use different wires from the command station to the track or could I just use the wire I already have?

Eric

I forgot to mention that I set it up when I want to run it and break it down when I'm done, as I have to use my living room floor. I don't know if that helps or not.

Eric

Hi all, I hope everyone is well.

I don't have any benchwork to put my 4'x8' E-Z Track HO layout on, as I live in a very small apartment and don't have the room even for a stowaway type table. I would like to get into DCC, mainly for adding sound and better speed control. I've been reading some of the websites that have been shared on here for others who are getting started like me.

The issue is, I don't think I can use the type of starter system I was wanting to get (NCE PowerCab or MRC Prodigy Express) because there's no way to do a track bus without wires being all over the floor. However, I would like more control of the sound/light functions than the E-Z Command seems to have... not saying it's bad, but I am well aware of its limitations.

Am I missing or misunderstanding something about the setup of those systems, or am I just stuck with DC until I can get a better space to actually build something? I appreciate all of you, and hope that everyone stays well and safe during this crazy time!

Eric

They didn't list the Bachmann item number or locomotive type, but the road number is 3084. According to the Conrail loco roster and photos, it should be a GP-40.

Yes, the power pack came with the set. Thanks so much for the in-depth answer and all of the information! It's a used locomotive. I haven't actually purchased it yet, as I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't damage it by having the wrong power pack/throttle. If I do go through with the purchase I was expecting to not have it perform as well because of the decoder. I'm hoping to someday get a DCC system, but right now it's not financially feasible for me. That's why I'm doing much of my shopping for locos/rolling stock/track on eBay!

I'm looking at buying a Bachmann DCC-On Board Conrail locomotive that I found on eBay, but I only have the DC power pack that I got with the train set my mom got me for Christmas 20 years ago. I don't want to ruin the decoder by trying to run it on my tiny setup, so I'm coming to the people who have more experience than I do! (I'm just trying to get started in model railroading after dealing with health problems for the past 10 years.) I've seen other similar posts that mentioned the "pulse modulation" that older DC throttles have, but am not sure how to find out if mine is like this. Could someone please guide me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

Eric

"Conrail was my childhood"