It is stated in frequently asked questions on E-Z Command '

Can I operate my existing non DCC locomotives on my E-Z Command System?
Absolutely.  Bachmann E-Z Command®  supports the operation of one non decoder locomotive at a time.  When button 10 is pressed the speed control and direction buttons control the non decoder equipped locomotive. 

Alternatively you can plug the AC power pack into a Bachmann analog throttle and plug the throttle into the E-Z command using the supplied cable into the E-Z Command.  When this is done the analog throttle controls the non decoder equipped locomotive and Button 10 controls a digital locomotive with the address of 10

If you do this, are you running a risk of damaging the non-decoder equipped locomotive in order to save a few dollars?

Also would the risk of damage be greater running DCC equipped and non equipped at the same time?

Tom

If you are familiar with the E-Z Command system you are aware that we are limited to addresses from 1 -9 (10 if you have an appropriate dc power pack). Or do we ?

The rest of the DCC world commonly uses a four digit address scheme.

My question is this - is an address set on a Bachmann system to let us say 4 equivalent to an address of 0004 set on a Digitrax or other similar system?

Tom

By the middle of the 1950's, it had become apparent that the days of the steam locomotive were coming to an end. Most of the main line trains on the C&O were being handled by F7' and as more and more GP9 were delivered more steam found its way to storage or scrap lines. The Clinchfield was all ready diesel by this time.

As with the prototypes I follow, diesel power offers great cost savings - with or without sound. So I surrender my pleadings for non sound steam and instead hope that I will still be able to obtain non sound diesels at affordable prices for a few more years anyway.

Sadly

Tom

It appears that Spectrum steam is rapidly becoming sound only.

Case in point the 2-8-0 that was a great little locomotive for a small layout seems to have disappeared unless you get it sound equipped. This is not alltogether bad but becomes pricey for many of us old guys on fixed incomes.

Granted you can still get some nice standard steam that is not sound equipped but these tend to be larger locomotives rather than the small engines common on short line or branches.

Is this a trend that will lead to sound only in the near future?

I am certain that someone on this informed forum can point the way to a web based source of track plan ideas.

I know that only so much can be done on a shelf, but there maybe some possibilities I am overlooking.

If running in a circle is boring, going back and forth is doubly tiring.

Tom

I am considering acquiring one of these switchers instead of attempting to install decoders, sound boards and speakers on my own. However, before I invest around $160.00 on such a purchase, will this locomotive operate satisfactorily on the E-Z Command? I seem to recall some threads expressing problems with Broadway-Limited and E-Z.

Tom

I have been exploring sound decoders with the idea of adding sound to a Proto 2000 GP38-2.

This is a DCC Ready locomotive that has the necessity of changing to 12 volt light bulbs or installing resistors.

Digitrax has a decoder designed for the P@K that replaces the existing PC Board and has the appropriate lighting modifications included for approximately $27.00. It is soundbug compatible.

What can anyone tell me about the soundbug ? Will it produce a reasonable likeness to a non-turbo charged 645 engine? Does this offer a means to add sound as budget permits ?

Tom

What Spectrum steam is available that is DCC on Board but not sound equipped?

Boomertom

My daughter and son-in-law took me to Busch Gardens Williamsburg today. Yes all those roller coasters.

The park includes a fantastic steam railroad encircling the park -open style steam locomotives, open air coaches. We rode in the first seat of the first coach.

;Listening to the chuff of the exhaust and whistle was a blast. 

I might have to check out Bachmann England or Germany and add my own Heidelberg Express.

Boomertom

From following various threads about adding sound and the need to madjust cvs, is it practical to even think of adding sound with a limited system like the E-Z Command?

If I want sound am I better off trying to find  factory equipped locos that I can afford even if I have to search E-Bay?

Boomertom

The Soundtraxx web site suggest using 227110 T1000 Galloping Gosse for small diesel switchers.

Has anyone else contemplated such an application or is there a better alternative?

Tom Blair

Yampa Bob's St. Patricks Day Cornbeef and cabbage got me thinking about food ( it doesn't take much to make my mind drift in that direction).

As this is a railroad discussion board, naturally my thoughts drifted to dining cars.

When I was growing up, I would often travel from Covington, VA to Washington, DC to visit my Grandmother usually on the C&O Sportsman or George Washington. This always involved a meal in the dining car.

Crisp white linen, dinner wear with the C&O kitten and food fit for a king.
I was particularly fornd of hot roast beef sandwhich with mashed potatoes and gravy and iced tea. Half a century later I still wonder how the plates stayed in place as the train went around curves.

What memories do others have of dining car experiences ?

Tom

Can anyone report on using the 44569 wye turnout in the construction of a turning wye (three point wye)?

I am curious howmuch additional space these require over the Atlas wye ?


Tom

Friday 13, 2009
10:45 AM

My replacement E-Z Command was just delivered by UPS.

And, are you ready for this? Bachmann called to see if it had arrived.

Good luck to everyone else and keep the faith.

Tom

I have discovered an easy way to spell check postings that may be of interest to others.

If you are comfortable with switching back and forth between windows, you can open your word processor such as Word and compose messages there, spell check, copy and switch back to the Bachmann window and paste
into the message.

Tom

I would think there would be a market for GP7/9's with DCC on Board from Bachmann. I realize that both Atlas and Proto 2000 offer these, but for some of us the cost is a bit high.

Athearn has discontinued its GP7 so there is no low cost first generation EMD hood unit out there that I am aware of. If Bachmann were to produce such a locomotive I would buy several.

Tom Blair
who is stuck in the fifties

After having spent a month bemoaning Bachmann's customer service, I was rewarded for my perserverence today.

Steamgene advised Joe in a thread about two locomotives in February to "Use your nickle, call Bridgett". Well as I have unlimited long distance I decided I had nothing to lose so I did.

I got her voice mail, left my information and hoped for the best.

Apoproximatly b30 min. after leaving this message, I received a call from Laura wanting verification of my shipping address etc.

My E-Z Command was/is buried under a pile of packages. Laura is having a new E-Z Command sent to me.

I also received an apology for the delay and have had my faith restored.

Tom Blair

I was an accounting major, so I need the help of you electronics whizes out there.

Is the Bachmann decoded as it comes set up to recognize the power source - DC or DCC - a so called dual mode decoder.

tom

I am pondering aventure into On30, primarily for a Christmas tree layout but have also pondered a switch from HO.

I have a couple of questions generated by some comments in the hobby publications regarding the close spacing of ties on HO track. I am wondering just how noticable this is and is there a simple way to compensate with E-Z track?

Also while not track related, will the E-Z Command preform satisfactorly with On30 locos or is the booster needed?

Tom

In another thread, Rangerover wrote"I have added this to my system, just received it yesterday and was up till the wee hours of the morning "playing" with it. I can now simply plug this in a USB on my computer, no need to have the computer in the train room. I nailed a piece of flex track to a piece of 1X4 pine hook up the wires, plug it in go to a website and put the loco on the track, turn on the power and it reads on my computer screen all the cv's in both sound and non sound decoders installed in the loco. FANTASTIC !!!!!!! I didn't realize how many different sounds there are and levels of. I can finally turn off my mars lights or even leave them on in the yard with the engine idling, the mars light dims when idling and brightens up when in motion. Even the ditch lights work now. Got a lot to learn yet, but this makes it all so much more worthwhile and better for under $80.00."

I am interested in this concept of using mu computer to read and program CVs, this would seem to solve the "problem" with E-Z Command that you are not able to adjust acceleration rates, speed tables, and many of the fine tuning that the more expensive systems allow.

Granted if you add the costs up and do not already have an E-Z Command the full function systems may result in a similar capital outlay but this does tend to negate the arguments that E-Z Command is not expandable.

Tom