Bummer... This may entice me to get into kit-bashing. 

There you have it!  We're all either experienced or have a pretty good idea about the hobby.  In order to keep anything alive, such as this model hobby, you have to have newcomers (Religions of any kinds base their longevity (business model) to newcomers).   These new hobbyists are the ones keeping that statement and this quote alive

Quote"...The ironic thing is that in many cases a good locomotive will cost about the same as a poor one."

Why, because that new hobbyist doesn't know the difference.    Yes, the manufacturers have gotten better quality trains and train sets.  It all then comes back to the newcomers.  Can they afford it, will their kids want them. 
What I am experiencing is watching my grown kids.  When they come over, their interest hasn't changed.  They see me building my layout and model train setup but are not truly engaged.  As my oldest son tells me, " I could build an entire train set/empire on the computer and it's also on Xbox and Playstation."   I tell him that it doesn't feel real, it's only on the computer screen.  How do you touch and move scenery?  He tells me that changes to the scenery are just a point and click away. 

I could go on and on, but my "ace in the hole" is praying that I will have, someday, grandkids who I can mold with my train set, like I can with some friends and relatives' kids.
I want this hobby to continue...but it will need newcomers.

 Thanks for clarifying that.  I just wonder if the railroads call that parallelogram... a diamond, what would they call a real diamond?
 

Bachmann made the "O scale"  Plasticville Turnpike Interchange (model 45601).  Also labeled "All American Turnpike".

 Was it also manufactured in HO scale?   

Okay-got it, it's not a road/track crossing.  I'm sorry, if it's a track crossing, then where is this "diamond"?   I see X's, I see lines crossing, but I don't see a "diamond"?

I have not tried to connect lights to my DCC track power.  I take that back.  I do have lights on my Hayes bumpers (44593) that are connected to the DCC track power.   I have been specializing in keeping all lighting from the track DCC power. 
 Frankly, I wonder if my DCC controller could handle any additional current draw other than the locomotives. 

As for the zener diode, know this.   A diode is a semiconductor that conducts current in a single direction only.  Mainly used to convert AC into DC.  Where a zener diode conducts current in both forward and reverse current directions.  If a normal diode is placed to function in reverse, it will fail.   If a zener diode is placed to function in reverse current, it will conduct in both positive and negative directions and that's normal expectation of the zener diode.   Yes, zener diodes come in many different sizes.  The ones I worked with were of the 250 amp in 480 V to 12 KV applications.

That's about the best I can do for you.   Keep us informed if you pursue this venue, I haven't been involved in the very small zener diodes.

Sorry I couldn't help more...

Now that's what I call "hitting the nail on the head".    From manufacturer requirements, lawsuits run amok from product misuse by consumers, chauvinistics in the hobby, and the public view that it's an older generation keeping the hobby alive.

That's the kind of degrading information that has and still is killing Nuclear Power.  That is, manufacturer requirements (high cost of material and labor), lawsuits from the anti-nuclear consumers, limited desire/appeal from both sexes toward nuclear power, and the public pressing the government to not keep this power source alive and the older generation losing its influence to keep it alive.

If that isn't synonymous with model train hobby then I don't know what is.

I'm doing my part to keep the hobby alive, but I'm also consider as one of the older generations.

I just purchased some additional EZ track and along with it came 44548 (12  9-inch sections) reversing track.  I am wondering (thinking out loud) if a trolley can traverse a turnout and swap in either direction.   Draft text of what I mean.

      A    ==========================\\
                                                                            //\\====================   B
     A'    ==========================//
                                                            Standard turnout


This is not a reversing loop, A and the other A' are not connected but end.  Just like the trolley set but insert a turnout that can switch from A to A' and vice versa.  As usual I'm looking for another pair of eyes, thoughts, on whether or not this can work.  If so, then maybe I'll steal my wife's money and buy the Bachmann 44547 reversing trolley set.

My understanding is that the reversing set can work with any DC locomotive.
I have a very short DC section for my train museum and if this would work I could expand my old steam DC locos to move to different sections from A to A' and back.

Okay.  Silly me, but can anyone explain to me what a "diamond" is on the crossing?  I don't understand.  It is the track, or crossing signal...

Now this is the kind of discussion that I can get into.  A forum query posted back in July 2021 posed a slightly similar question on the "Thomas & Friends" Board.  I input my thoughts and found that those Thomas folks were only interested in variations of new Thomas trains.  Yes, I missed the point of the discussion, and haven't been back to that board for I felt embarrassed.

I concur with Mr. Klein's comments.  What I will state is that the brick-and-mortar stores are declining, and online stores are taking over.  There will be fewer brick-and-mortar stores for model railroading but from my experience, the innovative store owners have taken on additional hobby applications such as RC (remote control) toys which seem to be getting more popular.   This means that the railroad modelers will see less shelf space for railroad models in their stores.    The future of railroad modeling is not going away as long as there are Diesel Engines and Heavy Equipment needed to move and/or build things.

The challenge that model railroading has (in my opinion) is actually "living space".  (Excerpt from Thomas & Friends board)

In terms of what kids today are faced with.  Living space is a major culprit.  Another culprit is technology itself.   It doesn't matter what the manufacturer brings forward on train sets.  The consumer (the adults with kids) will have to contend with the space for the train set.  Something to think about, when we (old folks) were kids, we could have that HO train set on a 4 by 8 piece of wood and slide it in and out from under our beds.  Now, think a minute.  Today's kids, I believe, would rather sit in front of an LED screen than pull out a train that only moves in a circular or figure-eight pattern (my kids were into model trains until Nintendo came on the scene Christmas 96.  I reboxed the trains until now).  Kids today are smarter than we were due to the technology they are exposed to, that we (old folks) didn't have.  For the fortunate adults who have kids and the living space to have a model train set, then it's only the technology that their kids will decide upon.  In Japan, living space is at a premium, so I've been told.  Therefore, it's been noticed that the N scale seems to be the most lucrative.
 (Reference: https://raicho.home.xs4all.nl/model/scales.html)

If the consumer doesn't have the space to implement setting up that train set, then the cost of that train set will be next to ax the purchase.  And a excerpt from Jward, "...totally uninspiring model magazines, clubs that are every bit as cliquish as high school, the net result of both has sucked the fun out of the hobby for some."  Let alone the fact that hobby clubs have such old-fashioned "perform operations as if it's a real railroad" causes those intermediate users (like me) to lose interest in running the train.

What I believe everyone is overlooking is that gaming technology is offering more enhanced interaction than modeling technology.  The model manufacturers may not realize that they are in a battle with technology.  The kids (younger generation) are into technology and model makers and manufacturers need to get on board with the technology.   As a suggestion, to enhancing train sets, adding actual video from the cab of a locomotive to the locomotive controller (LED screen of say, the Bachmann Dynamis wireless controller) would provide some enticement to the user providing that technology boost that kids would be intrigued with.  For example, they would see the train go in that circle and would be able to visualize (from the controller screen) what it looks like from the cab of the locomotive.   An example is the gaming technology of flying a plane.  The difference is that the plane is only on the screen, whereas looking out from the train cab is on the screen, one can look up from the controller at the actual train in motion, see block signals and road crossing even see the train enter a tunnel. That double verification is an enabler for kids.  The train controller screen and seeing the actual train provide that double scene.

It doesn't matter what train set is put forward, it'll have to compete with space and technology.  Modeling won't die, since N scale may support the space issue, as for the other scales space will always be a factor.  Maybe this hobby has a lag time before it catches on, that is, I noticed most younger adults, don't have the time to put into modeling, while us old folks have that spare time.  With the cost of living always increasing both young and old generations lose that spare income. Modeling is costing more and it seems to be catering to the older generation when viewing the U-tube videos.

So to conclude, the technology that kids are exposed to will compound the issue for model railroading, slot car modeling and other none collectible models.  The next generation of technology savvy youth will determine the future of the hobby, because they have the technological wherewith-all to keep the hobby going. 

Such is my opinion....and two cents.  Maybe I should make that four cents.

P.S. None of us "Old Folks" are old, just experienced.

I had expected that the more experienced modelers would have answered this quite easily.  That is, I read your question, and signed off thinking by the time I relog on, that you would have received an answer.
Since I'm only an intermediate modeler (not a professional, not highly experienced, but still learning) this is where I might be able to answer your question.

First off, one needs to know what make of turnouts do you have?  That is, is it Bachmann, Atlas, Pico, Marklin, etc.   How old are your turnouts, from my experience very old turnouts are not DCC friendly.

I've learned that this forum is historical in nature, thereby all you have to do to get your question answered is to put that question (short phrase is a good start) into the forum's search box).

One such search turned up this:
plastic frogs vs steel frogs on turnouts
Started by gehdoc97, August 24, 2014, 10:26:13 AM

another search found this:
Bachmann switches
Started by philws, April 02, 2015, 06:59:01 PM

lastly try this:
Bachmann EZ DCC track
Started by Sunnyfield, December 08, 2011, 03:32:07 PM

I tried to find those most closely related to your question.  Hopefully, you can now move forward and get an answer to your questions by doing your own search.   Believe me, every question I've asked...so far, have been ones where I could not get a clear answer after I performed a search for answers. 

This forum is the "diamond in the rough" that the other forums do not take into account.  Prior questions asked over and over again with many answers and thought-provoking queries abound in this forum.

Hope this helps.  Search, if not satisfied, ... ask again.

QuoteI understand the directions on the command plus, I should be able to run the turntable, the 2-6-0 Alco (which seems fine on any programmed section), and one of the non-DCC locomotives, but the non-DCC needs to be run on station 0. Is that correct?

 I can't answer your question since I do not own the new Command Plus.  I believe it may be similar to previous versions of the Command plus.  Take a look see... at this forums' question posed a few days ago, it might help.   Click on this link to go directly to it: 
Running a DC train with the EZ Command plus

You ask an interesting question.  First off, let me say that I'm not an expert on this.  With that said, I will add some information that you may or may not be aware of.  Lastly, I haven't purchased the EZ command Plus, but I'm contemplating buying it. 

The older EZ DCC controller (model 44901) does allow the connection of a DC power pack controller (model 44212).   Below is an excerpt from the Bachmann DCC controller instruction manual for the 44901.

"...NOTE: WHEN OPERATING A DC LOCOMOTIVE ON ADDRESS "10," BE SURE TO MONITOR IT CLOSELY. SOME DC MOTORS ARE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE WHEN OPERATING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ON DCC SYSTEMS.
Using the black interconnecting power cable provided, you can also connect a Bachmann DC controller to your E-Z Command Control Center as shown in figure 18. When connected, address 10 automatically converts from its original DC (analog) assignment to DCC (digital).  Thus, a tenth digital address becomes available, and the connected DC controller will allow you or a friend to control a DC locomotive in conjunction with your E-Z Command system.  The Bachmann #44212 power pack, available from hobby retailers, is ideally suited to this application (figure 19).
NOTE: MAKE ALL THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN YOUR DC CONTROLLER, THE E-Z COMMAND CONTROL CENTER AND THE TRACK BEFORE CONNECTING THE WALL PACK POWER SUPPLY. AS THERE IS CONSTANT AC POWER TO THE TRACK, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT LEAVE A DC LOCOMOTIVE STATIONARY
ON THE LAYOUT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS...."

If the EZ Command Plus doesn't have the above expected connections, then you will have to consult Bachmann to determine what options are available.   

From my experience it is not a good practice to run both DC and DCC locomotives at the same time.  The manual excerpt above also points this out. 

If you're wondering what I've done in this situation, a few years back, I decided to run only DCC.  I do have a small DC powered section (electrically isolated from DCC) that can operate my DC locomotives for my old locomotive museum.

For additional information click on the subject discussion below:
Bachmann Online Forum> Discussion Boards> General Discussion> E-Z Command Plus I/O Port:
E-Z Command Plus I/O Port   Started by RedMt Dave, January 12, 2024, 03:09:02 PM

Hope this helps.

This is a godsend!  I was scratching my head as to my calculations.  I didn't think about the speed of the train as being part of the calculation.  Thanks for the website.  This clears up a lot. 
Again thanks!

I was looking into those Tortoise machines.  I haven't bought a tortoise yet.  I'm concerned that the tortoise isn't strong enough to depress (pull down) that center base between the tracks. 

The intent is not to modify the Bachmann road crossing but to enhance it to support more realism of the crossing gate.   My issue is I like a layout, but after say a year or so, I like to change things up.  If I cannibalize the road crossing it may not work else where on the layout.

The electrical parts are an easy fix, as you indicated from azatrax.com.