Personally, I do not think the switches that come with EZ track remote turnouts are the best looking.  I would like to use toggle switches (toggle may not be the right term, but I mean the little metal switch that has the pin sticking out). Eventually I would like to get a drawing of my layout and place the switches in the appropriate places.

What type switches do I need?  I know they need to be momentary, but do they need to be SPDT or DPDT or something else entirely?  Do the wye turnouts require different switches?  I ask because Bachmann uses a different switch for them.  Do you have any recommendation on particular switches to use for this application?

thanks in advance for your help

Wow. Mine is not nearly as complex. Maybe in a few years I will be building more elaborate layouts like yours.

Thanks for the clarification.  I assumed that if you could get the address set on the LS150 that you could get the Bachmann controller to work.  I stand corrected.  I am using a Digitrax Zephyr DCS51 controller and I am pretty sure that the LS150 should have no problems with it.

I read something about being able to use a "smooth" DC controller, but I wasn't sure what that really means.  I may try doing that.

On Monday I have two DCC decoders arriving and one of them is for the turntable.  This will be my first experience installing a DCC decoder on anything.

I am planning on adding some variations in elevation to add interest.  Lowering the rail yard is a good idea.  That really goes along with my original idea to lower it below the front of the table, but your idea is good to lower it where it is.  I would love to be able to have it 2+ inches below the main line, and I think that it should be quite possible if I use enough foam under the rest of the layout.  Thanks for the idea.

I learned something important last night.  I was trying to assemble the Atlas "Out and Back" plan on my table using Bachmann EZ track. The turnouts are different lengths on the Bachmann EZ track from the Atlas Snap track. I finally adapted it enough to work. I also used the Bachmann TimeSaver layout as a guide for my rail yard.


I have had to change my original ideas up from my original plan in order to get things working right.  I wanted to drop the rail yard to a lower shelf off the front of the table, but to do it right I would need a 16"-18" deep shelf over 7' long.  That is just going to stick our too far to be practical.  I did add a short 12"d x24"w shelf on the front of the table for my controllers.  The controller on the right is the new Digitrax Zephyr xtra DCS51 DCC controller.  The controller on the left is an old MRC Railmaster 1300 DC controller.  I am just using it for power to the switches.  I may end up using the throttle for the powered turntable.  I was planning on making it a DCC turntable, but it will probably be simpler to just hook it up DC.

Here are my next steps for this table.  First, I must add a base layer of foam.  Then on the back side of the table near where the tape measure is currently sitting will be a mountain with a tunnel.  I also still need to add braces across the back and car shelves on the sides.  The table is very stable, but I don't think that you can make a table *too* sturdy.  The dogs agree since their cages are underneath the table now.

I am thinking of getting several of these to control my Bachmann turnouts.
http://www.lenz.com/products/decoders/accessory/ls150.html
You wouldn't be able to program it with a Bachmann EZ Command, but if you could get a friend or hobby shop to program it I bet you could use it.

I am using all EZ-Track NS except for on bridges and on the turntable.  They are Atlas and came with Atlas NS track.

Pictured is both the steel and NS track, but I will not be using any steel on my layout.  I will keep it to go around the Christmas tree, but the layout will be 100% NS.

Just an FYI - you get a 33% discount on EZ-Track at www.trainsetsonly.com which helps since it is expensive.  If you order over $200, you also get free shipping.  I ordered several hundred dollars worth of track which arrived today.  I saved over $200 by buying it online.  My local hobby shop guy told me that I bought it below his cost.

The reason the track is in this pattern was because I was experimenting with a DCC autoreveser.  I bought one for $10 at a local hobby shop that was moving.  I was not sure at that point if I needed to match brands of autoreversers with controllers, but apparently not.

I am going to add a shelf just below the bottom lip of the top.  It will be 12"-18" wide and 12' long.  One end of it will be a railyard patterned after the Time Saver layout in the Bachmann layout book and the other end will be where my turntable will be with the 2 stall engine house.  I will probably have a section for a programming track as well down there.

I really debated getting casters for it, but I elected to just use sliders on the bottom.  It scoots pretty well at this point. 

I am about to go nuts here at work because FedEx ground just delivered a big box of track for me.  I am so ready to go home and connect up my layout.  Maybe no one will notice if I sneak out early.

Finished the table this morning before work.  It is very sturdy.  It is 4' x 14'.  The black track on either end are 22" curves.  I hope to get my foam underlayment this weekend even though I really won't have time until a week from Sunday to spend much time on it.


BTW, the black cage in the foreground is one of my 2 x-large dog crates for my 2 dobies.  They both fit underneat the table.  Not too many model train layouts have two full-size guard dogs!   

I got a replacement locomotive in the mail yesterday.  Thanks Tom.  I really appreciate it.

Do I have to go to work today?

I got the wood for my first table last night.  I built the frame for the middle section and did all my cuts.  The rest of my track arrives tomorrow (keep your fingers crossed).  There is no way I am going to have my mind on the tasks at work today because I will be daydreaming about coming home and finishing the table.  I am taking pics of my progress, so hopefully I can get them posted when I am on a computer later today.

I have five locomotives that I have collected so far (including one that was DOA and I am still waiting on getting it repaired).  Two are DC, two are DCC, and my most recent purchase is DCC with sound.  When I put that loco on my plain track last night for the first time, it was like I was a kid all over again.  Immediately it became my favorite even though it is a switcher with limited function for my overall layout.

I must purchase another DCC with sound engine for hauling long consists around the track.  I am probably also going to buy the Bachmann Dynamis controller to access more of the sounds with my new loco than my EZ DCC controller can.

What is your favorite DCC locomotive (steam or diesel) with sound?  I want one that will handle 18" curves with no problem.  I am looking more for fun than some sophisticated rare locomotive that represents some obscure prototype from one particular year.  

Being the impatient person that I can be decided to try filing down the point. I got my Dremel tool out and lightly sanded the point to make the transition smoother. Tah-dah!  It worked. Now all my engines go through the turnout flawlessly.

They are derailing at the points. What is the best procedure for filing?  Is there a way to disassemble or should I do it while it is together?  What should I use to file?  Sorry for all the newbie questions.

I pulled out my other engines to see what happens with them.  My Bachmann 4-8-4 derails going forward on the right turnout just like my Bachmann GT40.  My ancient Athearn FT-A derails going forward on the right turnout but not in reverse.  Neither derailed on the left turnout.  I did not test the 4-8-4 in reverse.  It is picky about its curves to begin with.

Is there a way to adjust the turnouts or the engines to make them work better?  I don't want to just have a boring loop with no turnouts.  In fact, I bought the switcher just because I want a big yard to push around cars.