Is it possible to speed match two engines for a consist using EZ Command Control Center?
No. Speed matching requires programming capabilities EZ Command does not have. It should also be noted that some Bachmann DCC OnBoard locomotives have a decoder that does not support adjustments to top and mid range volage, which are essential to speed matching. The best you will be able to do is to run two locomotives on the same address, and hopefully their speeds are close enough it won't matter.
Mr. Ward is correct; the EZ command does not have the capability to change the CVs for speed and other functions. What is available using only the Bachmann EZ command is the ability to control the two locomotives, which you do have. Problem, when you start one locomotive, pulling a set of cars, it will hum along but stand still, since the other locomotive is not powered yet. Selecting the EZ command to power the second engine, then you're in consist operation. The lead engine will now move forward since the operation of the second locomotive is now also moving. To me, this is where the fun is. You will need to keep track of which locomotive you are addressing for speed, especially if the second engine is at the end of the train. That is, if the last car is the second locomotive and you're pushing harder than the head locomotive, you may derail some cars in between. With practice swapping from one locomotive to the other using the EZ command will make doing this much easier.
Now, understand I used to do this type of operation, but alas, (you can blame Bachmann) I moved to using the now discontinued Bachmann Walkaround controller. This allows operation of two locomotives with separate power knobs.
Consist operations is, to me, so much fun, i.e., the best part: With two engines addressed differently in a consist, one can speed up or slow down using different throttles. In my case, I have the EZ controller, and the other is the EZ walkaround (discontinued). This may seem archaic to professionals (those who use those fancier controllers) but having that basic speed knob makes it quite easy to control during consisting.
So, in short, the answer is yes, you can speed match, but it will be manual operation of the throttle of each individual locomotive. Just note, I've been told that this is not the way it works on real railroads.
And maybe it's time to move out of the beginners world of the EZ command and get a more advanced DCC system intended for more serious Model Railroad, which "consisting" locomotives is a part of.
Back in my day in the Jurassic a contest was the cars in a train. At some point it changed to mean a bunch of connected diesel locomotives. If it means a bunch of connected diesel locomotives, what do you call the cars in the train today?
Quote"And maybe it's time to move out of the beginner's world of the EZ command and get a more advanced DCC system intended for more serious Model Railroad..."
This statement indicates that there is a discrepancy in the definition of "more serious Model Railroader". It's understood that Bachmann specializes in producing beginner models for beginner modelers. That's great (actually need more companies to cater to beginners). So, when does one become a "more serious Modeler"? Is it due to building a layout to perfection? Is it due to making a layout more permanent? Is it due to operating a layout as if it were the real thing (real railroad)? Or is it based on how advanced the electronics is for the layout?
I've been grappling with this definition since I created my first adult layout. Do I consider myself a serious modeler? That depends again on how one defines what a serious modeler is. Currently, I haven't been able to definitively decide what type of modeler I am. Therefore, I instituted the term "intermediate modeler". I still use the EZ Command and Walkaround, I've seen how the more advanced systems operate, but again, to me buying these more advanced DCC systems would be like driving a Corvette, Porsche, or Lamborghini in rush hour traffic. (On a side note: Kids can learn on the advance systems, but giving EZ Command to a two- to five-year-old is much easier). Those advance systems would be overkill, with options I probably won't use, and basically, they're made for adults (12 and up) not little ones. In short, I don't want a layout that is permanent (I like changing things), I do strive for perfection, not thrilled on operating my setup like a real railroad, and the electronics fits the desire to keep it simple, or to some... complicated.
And what does one call trains cars in a consist, ...Luggage! ;D
Thank you Ralph S. My thoughts exactly. Who are we to judge the how a hobbyist is classified when only they know their skills and circumstances in relation to having a good time in their hobby.
I think it was in this case the OP was asking more of the EZ command than it is intended to do. I would call that a move into more complex model operation. Some might call it advanced. I don't see any disrespect in that.
Quote from: trainman203 on October 27, 2025, 01:25:01 PMBack in my day in the Jurassic a contest was the cars in a train. At some point it changed to mean a bunch of connected diesel locomotives. If it means a bunch of connected diesel locomotives, what do you call the cars in the train today?
Seeing as I'm new to this hobby and this forum, I'm guessing folks here know more about the terminology than I do, but here's what I found out:
The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration in a 2014 proposed rule on train crew staffing defined it like this: "The type and sequence of
locomotives and cars that are assembled or coupled together to form a train is referred to as the
train consist."
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) standardizes
Multiple Unit (MU) control for U.S. diesel-electric locomotives as "a standard arrangement approved by the AAR and its member railroads and manufacturers, enabling each unit of a
locomotive consist to function as one from the controls of any unit in the consist."
I agree, and there's a "But" behind that. The OP (original post) was asking what the EZ command can do and hopefully I provided a way to do "Consist" of a train using the EZ Command. Yes, it's more complicated than the more advanced DCC systems, but we don't know of the OP's desires. Therefore, I assumed that the OP is like me, i.e., not having a desire to enhance the controller, or adding additional finances at this point in time to enter into advanced systems.
As for complex operations, to me, that comes with tracks switches, adding sidings, more road crossings, two train operations on a single-track main line, and more than 2 trains operating on any layout. A single train consist (which the OP was asking), again, to me, is still simple operation. Am I wrong in this?
The definition from US Federal Railroad Admin and the Assoc. Of American Railroads is confusing. Can someone restate that in layman's terms (I have no experience in or on real railroads).
PS- This is a great discussion, I'm learning from it, and I pray I'm not disrespecting the OP, Trainman, anyone who responds and/or anyone who reads my posts. By all means, if I state anything incorrect, false, or grey area, I'm always open to correction, ...that's how I learn.
Quote from: Ralph S on November 03, 2025, 02:13:56 AM...The definition from US Federal Railroad Admin and the Assoc. Of American Railroads is confusing. Can someone restate that in layman's terms (I have no experience in or on real railroads).
As best I can parse it, a train consist (locomotive and freight) may be powered by a single locomotive or by a "multiple unit control" (two or more locomotives connected to function in unison). Two or more locomotives connected to function in unison is a "locomotive consist".
"Rolling Stock" is the wheeled vehicles owned and used by a railroad, including locomotives, freight cars, and passenger cars. This definition is widely accepted in the rail industry and can be found in various Association of American Railroads (AAR) publications and resources and the US EPA website. (https://www.epa.gov/epcra/what-items-are-covered-term-rolling-stock.
A "Train Consist" is a specific arrangement of specific rolling stock, e.g.,locomotive and freight cars (http://www.railway-technical.com/trains/).
A "Locomotive Consist" is two or more connected locomotives. "Multiple Unit (MU) Control" for diesel electric locomotives is "a standard arrangement approved by the AAR and its member railroads and manufacturers, enabling each unit of a locomotive consist to function as one from the controls of any unit in the consist." (http://www.railway-technical.com/trains/rolling-stock-index-l/diesel-locomotives/us-locomotive-mu-control.html).
See also the definitions here: http://www.railway-technical.com/glossary/rail-lexicon-mk24.pdf
Quote from: Ralph S on November 03, 2025, 02:13:56 AMI agree, and there's a "But" behind that. The OP (original post) was asking what the EZ command can do and hopefully I provided a way to do "Consist" of a train using the EZ Command. Yes, it's more complicated than the more advanced DCC systems, but we don't know of the OP's desires. Therefore, I assumed that the OP is like me, i.e., not having a desire to enhance the controller, or adding additional finances at this point in time to enter into advanced systems.
The only problem with that is that what you are doing is not a consist, either by DCC or by railroad definitions. Consist means all locomotives are controlled as a single entity. What you are doing is more akin to a helper locomotive with its own separate crew independently controlling their locomotive. There is nothing inherently wrong with what you are doing, and you've found a workaround for the limitations of your system. But the only way I can see to consist locomotives on EZ Command is to run all of those locomotives on a single address. If they were all running on say address 9, that would be be a consist. The advanced DCC systems have a way of doing this without reprogramming the individual locomotive addresses in a consist.
Well, that pulls the rug out from under EZ Command system. It also lets you know that as an intermediate modeler, I don't conform to the normal railroad (real or otherwise) standards. I just can't give up the hours of fun ...now operating under my new name as "helper locomotive". I hope the OP (original post originator) understands this new clarified definition.
Funny thing though, I have two locomotives that are addressed the same, never tried to get them to operate at the same speed (too lazy to change the speed CV's to match them), so that's where I don't operate them on the same train. I use my look-alike dummies to simulate the consist. ...but now with my new definition of "helper locomotive....". The grandkids will love that new name!
A steam locomotive "consist" would be a "doubleheader." with a separate crew! Operating quite independently of each other, but very dependent on each other's moves to not break the couplers or defeat each other's tractive effort.
I've done doubleheaders on DCC layouts a few times with two separate engineers. Or having the helper at the rear of the train with a separate engineer. Now THAT'S fun! With a capital F! If you want to be prototypical, the engineers communicate with each other what they going to do only with Whistle signals! Then, you start beginning to understand how rugged railroading was in the past.