Thanks Hunt, unfortunately I am using the EZ command

Afternoon Gentlemen:
Been a while since I was on here, hope all is well with everyone!
My son has been running the DCC GP 40 Santa Fe loco today. Suddenly stopped working. Now works in reverse, but as soon as you switch direction it shuts down altogether. Haven't looked at it closely yet, but any advice on potential troubleshooting would be great
Thanks

Thanks Jerry and jbrock - Yes, it's the regular red wire...didn't notice the difference in the wires, will have to look more closely...but good advice from Jerry, probably just as easy to double check with meter.

what do you recommend for distance between feeders? Using the stock EZ command for power.

Jerry - a follow up question to your post.

I have a couple of extra rerailers and power wires and was going to go the splicing route on my layout.

My question is about polarity - there seems to be no visible difference between the wires, how do I know if I have the polarity correct before I make the connection?

Morgan 30 - thanks so much for taking the time to post those. That will really help when I upgrade to 4s and 5s.

...and getting to close to the edge of the board was an issue with my layout, this will, as you said, help that

Thanks again!

Yes, the S curve has been an issue. Not too bad but certainly annoying. #5 switches are next of the shopping list.

Guys:
Just following up on this thread. After some experimenting I settled on the following layout. Idea was to get a good amount of track in a 4 x 8 set up with some good switching and siding operations...using just standard turnouts and 18 degree curves.

Idea was to see if the kids and I took a liking to the hobby and will expand/replace as needed. Well, happy to say everyone is enjoying the hobby and we will be expanding as finances allow.

Have to say I am totally impressed with the Bachmann products out of the box. We have the two locos from the Digital Commander set and just added some silver series rolling stock. Everything is so much better quality that what I remember as a kid 30 years ago.

I really like the EZ command...simply to use and durable. I can use it and enjoy it, but the best part is I have no problems handing it to my three year old son - he is able to operate the trains, switch between the two locos, and (with a little help!) turn the lights on and I don't worry about him breaking it

Good stuff so far...looking forward to claiming more room in the basement to expand

Would be interested to hear thoughts on my initial layout...I think it's a pretty good "starter" layout that was built on a fairly tight budget

Doneldon - many thanks for the response, exactly what I was looking for.

Doneldon:
Sort of hijacking the thread, but related...

What is the most cost efficient way to increase the amps on the EZ command system? The Bachmann 5 amp upgrade seems pretty expensive.

I have a couple of older after market power supplies from my slot car days. One is a pyramid variable supply...not sure what sort of power they generate and I will have to dig them out of the basement, but wondering if they might be able to do the job.

Makes sense, thanks Jward

In the same vein as an earlier post regarding 18 and 22 degree curves, could you do an alternating 18 degree, 15 degree curve oval? Would that be small enough inside an 18 degree oval?

Awesome jward, thanks for the response

Having fun experimenting with a 4 x 8 layout. Have tried a few different things...nothing that strikes me as being my permanent set up yet.

jward, do you have the track list for the verdant valley layout you posted on page 2 of this thread?

Have checked out a couple of the Atlas plans online...is the Atlas track similar in radius/length to EZ track? Would an Atlas plan translate to EZ track

Thanks

So, let me tell you something you already know...trains are a lot of fun

Been lurking and posting on here for a couple of months. Finally got a around to setting up my table and starter set last night.

Digital Commander set was easy to set up and performed beautifully out of the box, really impressed by the overall quality and the DCC set up.

But, that wasn't the best part of last night...my 12 year old son and I spent at least four hours together running the trains and having a great time together. The only time we took a break was to get online and order some more track!

Don't usually like the phrase "quality time", but that is what my son and I spent together yesterday - we talked a lot, not just about trains and really enjoyed hanging out together. If this is a by-product of getting back into trains then I am really excited about the possibility of spending time with my kids as we get into trains together.

Thanks to all for your advice getting me up and running, made a great start to the hobby so far.

Thanks jbrock, appreciate the info