Quote from: jward on November 13, 2023, 07:03:48 PMJust for clarification, doesn't EZ App operate as an overlay on DCC powered track? You should be able to control an EZ App locomotive via the app independently of the DCC system.

Correct, you can still operate E-Z App independently on both an analog or DCC layout. But pure DCC locomotives cannot be controlled with the E-Z App, as Markakis was asking.

Hi Stuart,

For best results, we recommend you contact Bachmann Europe customer support directly. Please note that this forum is administrated by Bachmann Trains USA. While there may be a member able to assist you, Bachmann Trains USA as a company does not provide support for Bachmann Europe products.

Hi Trainman,

We switched to Econami decoders for HO Sound Value locomotives starting this year. The roadnames currently in our 2023 catalog are the only ones so far that have been made with Econami decoders (item #s 57907-10). All of the previous releases (item numbers 57901-06) have the "legacy" Sound Value decoder.

We don't have any current plans to offer the Southern 2-8-0 with Econami, but if we do reintroduce it, it will be clearly identified on the packaging in the future.

Hi Markakis,

The E-Z App is only compatible with locomotives that are specifically labeled as E-Z App locomotives. It cannot control DCC locomotives.

If you want to control DCC locomotives with an app, you have a few options. Ask your club if their layout is set up with the WiThrottle protocol for JMRI. Once this system is setup, it should be universally compatible using any DCC equipped locomotive, and one of the apps listed on the WiThrottle webpage above.

If your club doesn't have WiThrottle, you can try a Blunami decoder from Soundtraxx. If you replace your decoder with a Blunami, or install it in a DCC Ready locomotive, you can control it with their Blunami app, which is based on the same technology as E-Z App.

Good luck!

Hi all,

Without giving away too much confidential information, here's a peek behind the Bachman curtain...

The first production run of any Bachmann model is made all at once. Depending on how well and how fast it sells, we may choose to reorder the road name/numbers already offered, or add/replace with more roadnames/numbers. But every time we manufacture a model, there is a minimum order quantity for the factory to produce it. So if we sell out of an initial production run, if we only have backorders for a handful more of this item, those alone won't be enough to justify for more production. If an item is a poor seller, chances are it'll be discontinued after we sell out and no longer have any initial inventory of the most recent production run.

In the case of the On30 models, while many of them were successful when they were first sold, over time sales and interest will dwindle to the point that we can't justify a large enough production run to reorder them If we kept offering every On30 item we've ever introduced and kept making them faster than we can sell them, we would have too much unsold inventory. Adding to this issue is the resale market, where sales on our older On30 products can continue to be made, without Bachmann seeing any money from it.

To echo ScottyB, On30 is *not* dead! We do have plans for new products and we *are* reordering select existing products. Just earlier today, we got a new shipment of 18' Flat Cars into our warehouse that will be ready to ship to dealers soon. If you want to see more new products- tell your friends, or tell your local hobby shop, to check out some of our *new* and current On30 products like the East Broad Top set, the Class 10 Trench Engine, Gondola Style Excursion Car, and the upcoming 3 Bay Hopper. The amount of interest and sales we get in the latest products is key to us making sure there is still interest in the scale for Bachmann to continue with new and returning projects.

Hi Bob,

If you are using E-Z Track, we now offer a special Manual Uncoupling Track designed for European couplers, including those on Thomas & Friends products.

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_366_369&products_id=8520

Hi Trainman,

The more recent DCC Sound Value and DCC Ready 2-8-0s have a completely redesigned motor and chassis compared to the earlier releases. However, performance should be comparable between the two and the shell should be interchangeable between the old and new chassis.

Hi Bob,

For the best response, we recommend contacting  Bachmann Europe customer support directly.

https://www.bachmann.co.uk/page/service-request

Hi Ted,

We do not currently sell our products at Sam's Club, and we don't have plans for any retailer exclusive Large Scale sets at this time. The Large Scale sets currently listed in our catalog (Night Before Christmas, Cowcatcher, Lil' Big Top) are available from our webstore, Amazon, HobbyTown stores, and your local hobby shop.

Hi RUT,

This chassis belongs to the older version of the EMD F40PH. We have Amtrak body shells and a few additional parts available on our parts store.

https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=68_208

Hi pitts,

1. Williams by Bachmann is the brand used for all of our O Gauge products, except for Plasticville and SceneScapes accessories. All of our O Gauge products are compatible with Lionel and other O gauge trains. Just make sure to check the minimum radius of the locomotive/rolling stock to ensure it can operate smoothly through curves on your layout.

2. Tubular O gauge track will work just fine with modern locomotives, as long as they meet the minimum radius as noted above, and the track is clean and wired correctly. Operating modern/command control locomotives is more dependent on your control and wiring setup, not the type of track.

Note that DCC is not compatible with 3-rail O gauge trains. There are multiple command control systems for 3-rail; Lionel's Trainmaster Command Control (TMCC), Legacy, and Lionchief systems, and MTH's Digital Command System (DCS.) Williams locomotives are designed to be ready to operate with a conventional transformer and are not sold with command control, but aftermarket upgrade kits are available.

3. You will need an AC power supply and transformer to operate the 4-6-0 and other O gauge locomotives. True Blast II (two) is the digital sound system installed in the locomotive that provides digital whistle and bell sounds. It can be activated with a conventional transformer with whistle and bell buttons and does not require a command control system. To use the smoke unit, all you need is Bachmann brand Smoke Fluid (#00251.) The smoke unit is automatically controlled with an on/off switch under the cab.

Feel free to ask any other questions, and have fun!

Hi Bill,

According to our records and the best of my knowledge, Bachmann has never made any items with this roadname.

Bachmann's official designation is that the "controller" is the actual device that controls the speed and direction of the train. With DC control, this refers to the "speed controller" with the rotating knob and direction switch. In DCC, a device like the E-Z Command is also considered a "controller", giving control of speed, direction, and DCC functions. We describe them as such because they control the train, but do not generate power on their own.

We use "power pack" to refer exclusively to the actual electric transformer "wall wart" that plugs into the outlet and generates/supplies power to the speed controller/E-Z Command.

So basically, the difference is "controllers" control the train, but do not supply power. "Power packs"/"wall packs" supply power, but do not control the train. Put the two together, and you have a working model railroad!

Hi LPstoker,

When we last catalogued an updated version of the 2-10-4 (AKA the "Texas Chugger") the minimum recommended radius was listed as 22". The older version will likely need the larger radius as well for the smoothest operation.

Hi Mark,

Bachmann offers the E-Z Track Reversing System just for purposes like these, if you are interested in using E-Z Track.

Also, a reminder that in addition to the DCC Sound Value PCC Streetcar, we have a DCC Ready version arriving this winter.