Quote from: Ralph S on July 06, 2025, 12:30:42 PMI wish to add a few $ cents to this topic.  I have wrestled with this decoder issue for the few locomotives that I have purchased.

The manufacturers of locomotives, including Bachmann may be starting to add the type of decoder but few, if any, actually place the type of decoder plug installed on their packaging.  What is meant by that is whether it's an 8-pin plug or 21-pin plug or even hardwired.  I for one really don't look at the manufacturers catalog at the moment of purchasing to determine if the decoder in the locomotive has an 8-pin or 21-pin decoder.   
When you examine the box (packaging) the locomotive is in, I haven't found any wording or indication as to what type of decoder plug is installed.  The packaging only states whether it is DCC ready (requiring a decoder as an extra purchase).  As for Bachmann's packaging it's DCC Ready and the packaging states (Sound Value, Wow or TSU2).  Other manufacturers only state DCC control (no indication as to what type of decoder pin arrangement).

In conclusion, in my book of intermediate knowledge of DCC operated locomotives, all the manufacturers are very deficient in informing all hobbyist of the internal working of DCC and non-DCC components in the packaging of their respective locomotives.

With regard to Bachmann packaging...
If the box label says (DCC Ready) the chances are good it has an NMRA 8-pin
The 21-pin boxes are clearly marked on the front of the box in the top right corner "NMRA 21-pin plug"

I would like to use the reversing system...but with a wider curve

Anyone ever torn apart a section of reversing track to see what's underneath?

Or know how the sections are wired?

I'd like to "transplant" to 26"R curve sections if possible and run a 380-Ton Schnabel 32.5" long

If You mean one loco running forward and another hooked to it in the reverse orientation...YES

DC trains will run that way automatically...but You'd want to experiment a bit to determine which one should lead or follow based on individual speed

DCC trains can be speed-matched using CV's 2-5-6 and consisted to run in any orientation desired

I bought two of the DCC On Board SD40-2's (unknowingly) and discovered that CV's 3-4-5-6 are not supported

Therefore...speed matching is nearly impossible unless You happen to get two that are very close without any changes

I have since swapped the DCCOnBoard electronics for a Digitrax DH127D in each...and haven't looked back

I've also experienced the EZ-Command controller...and after a few weeks upgraded to the Digitrax DCS-52 so I could utilize all DCC sounds and features

There is a bit of a learning curve...but once You have experienced DCC and all it's glory...it will be well worth the time to learn

If You are using EZ-track it's easy...just buy another terminal rerailer

One DCC system will run both trains...I routinely run a dozen or more on the Digitrax DCS52

To get all the benefits both must be DCC...but You can operate one loop DC if needed until You are ready for the full-blown switch

Set aside a couple track sections (off the layout) for programming

My layout is DCC...My switches are the standard DC turnouts operated by a DC transformer

Quote from: PeteDaFinn on December 21, 2024, 10:57:05 AMJust got an N scale Durango set and bought a separate switch track to extend the layout slightly. The wiring diagram shows it should be connected to the controller but there's no place to attach it on this set. The manual switch works ok although the train tends to stall when its set to go through the straight track - is there anyway to wire the switch without buying a new controller? Any reason why the train tends to stop when going through the switch?

If the train set You bought does not have a pair of accessory terminals...You should be able to find one easily enough

To power the frog I would just solder a jumper wire from each rail to the corresponding rail on the other side of the switch

Quote from: CraigB on December 31, 2024, 03:54:44 PMThanks for the advice Jeff.  I bought some 1/4 oz steel wheel weights with sticky backs.  Cost more than a few Pennies for sure, but not too terribly expensive.  I don't have the guage you mentioned.  I'll look into getting one.  Funny you mentioned the box cars from the train sets.  It's mostly the cars from the original Bachmann Rail Chief set that was my first purchase that are giving me the most trouble.

I've purchased plenty of those sets in N Scale...just to increase the numbers as I restarted a high school hobby a couple years ago
I sometimes had to double the weight of the cars to get them to standard

For the HO portion of My layout I've often added mfgr weight plates from discarded rolling stock...effectively nearly doubling the weight of the original car

Keep in mind the NMRA is a minimum guideline...a shade heavier never hurts

Perhaps You should limit Your expertise to equipment You have personally operated with

I started with the EZ-Command controller...and once I realized that I could not program CV's I upgraded to the Digitrax DCS52

The OP needs to start with the EZ-Command manual and program to whatever channel they wish - previous programming is not going to work with EZ-Command

Are Your cars properly weighted?

The standard is 1oz + 1/2oz per inch of length

6 inch car = 1oz + 3oz = 4 oz total

Are the wheels rolling freely?

Are the trucks loose enough to move side-to-side easily?

All these things go away when Your finger is on top of the car pushing down and thru

There's no need to explain...

Bachmann's IP does it all by itself

The EZ Command controller cannot change a CV value


Do You think that the Auto-Reversing sets in N and HO scales change the value of CV 19 when they reach the end in order to go back the other way?

Yes...I am sure about that

I still have loco's that are labeled with the corresponding single digit from My EZ-Command system

EZ-Command cannot change a CV - it reads from the decoder and assigns within itself

The EZ Command controller does not respond to decoder addresses...it programs locos from within

To find the address You will need to find a club or someone with a true DCC system

I have the Auto-Rev set...going to set it up at a library in Feb and run for 7 hours

Have used it twice before for 6-8 hours at a time...never had a single issue

Course...I bought the proper track sections to extend it to over 12 feet in length and let it run at maybe 25 throttle - it's not a racetrack

That is normal...but here's Your answer

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