Thanks for all the replies. I do have most of the original boxes and will be relyling on them for transportation. What I was most worried about are the scratchbuild building and kits that will most definitely find a home on the new layout. As to distance it's only 15 minutes up the road. As to space, I will nearly double current space. Which is an extremely exciting prospect! Nothing is official yet. In fact this move might not even happen at all. I would just like to be prepared if everything falls into place.

QuoteI scrapped my GER about a year ago and believe me, it was NOT a con it was a Pro.  Once I made that first cut, which is as they say, "The deepest" there was no going back and it was the best thing I ever did.

I read the article Tony Koester did (What timing) in the April 2011 and your situation is mentioned. I would agree that overall, a new house/new railroad is a good thing. But there are some cons and one would be quite foolish not to recognize that. The amount of money that must be sunk into a new railroad is pretty large. I'm also not a very big fan of being an armchair modeler. Finally had space to run equipment...
Like I said, for the most part I'm excited about it, just thinking out loud about some of the negative aspects.

-Brad

Pros: I'll get a fresh start at a layout. Things that are terribly frustrating with the current layout can be corrected.

Cons: I'll have to start from square one. That's a lot of work, time, money, etc.

Of course everything that can be saved from the current layout will be. My main question is, what is the best way to pack equipment?

Thanks for the input,
Brad

QuoteSince March 2009, I delete all my replies, some soon than others. I have deleted hundreds of my posts made before March 2009.

Just curious, why do you do this?

Hunt- Thank you, that's what I needed. Printed myself a new copy and saved the link.

Rich- I guess I wasn't very clear on my disappointment in EZ Command. The lack of CV programing is one of several reasons. The lack of the promised "future expansion" is another. Still I can't blame anyone but myself. Thanks again for the input.

-Brad

Rich,

Thank you for your quick response.
1. I was a young kid when I purchased the system (15 or 16), so money was the issue more than anything else. I will admit my research was limited.

2. You must not be familiar with the EZ Command...CV programing is Not an option.

3. I'm aware this is how decoders are reset but was wondering if there was another work around specific to the EZ Command.

4. I did google my original question but couldn't find a clear cut answer.

-Brad

Can I use the Bachmann EZ command to reset the address of a decoder to factory 3 when it is currently set to a long address? I'm pretty sure the answer is no but decided I would double check with the Bachmann think tank.

This is the one Bachmann purchase I'm regretting more and more as time goes by.

Thanks in advance,
Brad

Doneldon,

I would have to agree with you there. They are fantastic! (I just purchased a brass two truck shay on eBay that is stunning). Unfortunately this high pitched squeak is very out of place.

I'm also back to derailing at random so the oil was a temporary fix. I'm running on a loop that has 28' radius and is without a grade so trackwork is not the issue. I think I'll give the service department a call in the morning.

-Brad

I'm from Ohio and have never heard of the pacific in a barn. But this is cool and will be the next great attraction for steam fans in Ohio...
http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/index.html

A few things...

1. For the record its a J, not a J8.

2. Smoke is kind of cool when its paired with a chuff fan. See post above

3. Even with said fan, it still makes a mess. Be prepared to clean your track twice as much if not more.

4. Even with said fan, its still not fantastic. If you've ever stood next to the real thing you will know what I mean.

Pro's and con's but in the end, smoke is doesn't make the cut. BUT...It's your railroad, do as you please!

Ken,

Thanks for your reply. "Tweaking" is an understatement. I added a little oil to the universal joint between the 2nd and 3rd trucks. This greatly decreased the wobble and removed the derail issue. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Now all that's left to do is an annoying squeak that has developed. Did your locomotives squeak after regearing? I oiled it up but it didn't really get rid of it.

Many Thanks,

Brad

Just received the parts I ordered (new gears) and installed them. Now all the wheels are powered again but the last truck wobbles really bad and derails the tender at random...even on straight pieces of track. I tried taking it apart and putting it back together again several times. Any thoughts as to what might be causing this?

Thanks,
Brad

I'm almost 98% sure they have never been made in black roadbed. They might have been made in grey roadbed. My advice...cut your own. EZ track cuts fairly easily.

-Brad

Quote from: jward on January 28, 2011, 05:25:17 PM
no disrespect to anybody but, buying an ez command is kinda like buying a digital camera without a memory card slot. you will quickly outgrow it, and have to get something a little better.

Spot on.

It was originally advertised that they would make it expandable. That never really happened.

Index2020- The Bachmann EZ Command controller is great for getting started in DCC for an excellent price. As you progress farther into the world of DCC you will discover the simple abilities to be lacking. For example- The EZ command cannot program CV's. IF you're like me when starting into DCC, you'll think this is not a big deal. As you purchase locomotives with more abilities (i.e.- Locomotives that have multiple whistles etc.) you might be frustrated because you have no way to access these functions with your controller. To do any reprogramming I must take my locomotive to my local club. My thought is drop the money now and you won't be sorry later. I have no experience with the Dynamis but it looks nice and has more capabilities then the EZ Command. Coyboy's idea is nice if you have the funds to keep a spare controller.

-Brad

Fantastic job! How about some videos?