So do you leave the violet/purple wire open.  That is, not connected. 

Can someone clarify the assessable address for EZ Command Plus (Model 44933) uses?

Here's my dilemma: I am thinking about purchasing this new model, but I can't seem to get any info on whether this Plus version of the controller can use more than one loco road number or if it can handle at least two numbers for the loco.

My current controllers are EZ Command (model 44932 and 44901) access to the locomotive is by its last number, i.e., usage is the 'last' number of the locomotive's (road number).  So, for my BNSF Loco #2264 it's DCC address would be "4".  For B&M #1575, it's DCC address is "5".

Before I purchase, if I purchase, based on everyone's response to: Can this Plus model (44933) only addresses its locomotive by its last loco number or can it handle the entire locomotive number like other controllers?

PS> Thanks you Bachmann for putting this forum back on-line.

Do I have to ask for Dual mode on the DCC engine or is it standard on any of the manufacturer's  models?

I feel like I'm buying a car but need to make sure the dealer has these installed options on the car I'd purchase.

Well, My DC engines are:
Engine one (the work horse of the bunch) is a Yugoslavia as stated on the bottom.  A GE very short engine (only four wheels).   It can pull six cars without help.

Engine two (its okay) is a Tyco or Model Power (no manufacturer name anywhere). An EMD something (has eight wheels) not sure if they are independent or shaft driven..

Engine three (its okay too) is an unknown (no manufacturer name anywhere).  A GP7, I think.  I want to replace it, cause I think it's on its last days.  It also has eight wheels but I believe it only drives the front four wheels..

Engine four is the steam engine, also unknown manufacturer no name anywhere.  It has three steam domes, if that helps.

Like I said earlier, I can use them in my museum on my layout.  I'm not about speed in my soon to be expanded yard.  I have an isolated track section where I can use DCC to enter, then back out, then DC engine can enter and back out.  That's how I  bring in and move out the cars.

Lastly, they would be great old engines, but the cost of new DCC engines and the expectation that these old ones don't have other issues like, worn gears, aging motor, and all that other stuff you mentioned is pushing me toward just getting new and moving entirely to DCC. Then I can take the DC powered yard and move it to a second DCC controller. 

Fantastic information, but I still need a little bit more clarification.   So, let me state what I understand, thus far.   There are locomotives that are common and can operate on both DC or DCC.   So does that mean that I can buy a dual mode engine that will operate on DCC without doing some sort of software/hardware change and then operate it on DC on the same track? 
Yes, I understand the two (i.e., DC and DCC) cannot be energized on the same track at the same time.  Yes, I understand that train wheels crossing the gap will short both DC and DCC if crossed/connected.

But what I am wondering is, if this is a dual mode engine, then can this engine being on DCC power and you de-energize DCC track and re-energize the track with DC, will this same engine operate on DC track without any manual switch change or software change? 

Understand this is game changer for me if my understanding is correct, since I'm currently in the market to purchase new DCC engines.

There was one post (Bachmann DCC on DC « on: April 02, 2010, 01:33:03 PM ») regarding the Bachmann controls but what I researched was the engines with OEM decoders that are dual mode and will run on both DC and DCC.

Question is: Is there such a thing as an engine that can operate on DC and/or DCC without all the separation or engine humm, and overheating issues.  Is Bachmann going to build these type engines in their line of products?  Or are the other engine manufacturers to do that? Or is this somebody's fantasy/dream of a new engine?

Also it would be of some help if someone could explain this dual mode decoder since I may be confused about this dual mode operation of an engine. 

If this is possible, the old DC power and new DCC power would get a hefty boost from consumers.

Cool, ...

Quote"a misconception that EZ Command is the only DCC system that uses the intuitive control arrangement found on the DC power packs"

, but I don't have any knowledge of the Kato DCC controller.  I'll have to do some research on that one.   The four that I am familiar with is digitrax's Zephyr, Bachmann's Dynamis, MRC 2000 or Prodigy,  and NCE's  5240046 Twin Entry Level Dual Controller.  Of course there are the European versions of DCC, like Marklin and ESU 50210 Ecos 2.1 Central, but the European versions bring up a whole set of different problems.
My question is, does it use a digital screen on the controller for engine identification? 

As for my very old engines, One is a steam engine, but I have it in my train museum on my layout. The other three are vintage 70s, they run but need tender loving care.  At this stage in my creation, I believe it isn't worth reconfiguring them, probably cheaper just to buy new and move those old three to the museum also.
As for me, taking these old engines, more than 40 years old, trying to upgrade them without replacing all the gearing, motor etc, I'd expect that I'd be like Desert Rose and watch it lite on fire. 

That brings me to that new topic on those DC/DCC dual operating engines.  From what I have read thus far, these can do both, run on DC and DCC without all the separation or engine humm, and overheating issues.   Is Bachmann going to build these type engines in their line of products?  Or are the other engine manufacturers to do that? Or is this somebody's fantasy/dream of a new engine? Just so you know I made a new topic asking that question since I didn't find any on the message board that directly asked that question. 

Mr. Ward, I responded to your query in a new topic.  (From:  Re: DCC walk around companion controller  « Reply #15 on: June 27, 2021, 04:14:58 PM »

See New topic: To: Converting DC engines to DCC  « on: 6/28/2021 at 06:17:30 PM »

By the way, you gave me something I hadn't actually thought about.    Later.

A question from another post came to me and I wanted to respond to it, but in that post the answer would not pertain to the original topic.  So I added this topic to respond (hope that doesn't upset anyone).

Quote(Taken from:  Re: DCC walk around companion controller « Reply #15 on: June 27, 2021, 04:14:58 PM)

Ralph, I am a bit confused as to why you think the Smart Interface would preclude you buying new DCC locomotives, or why you seem to think your DC locomotives can't be converted to DCC. I am thinking you don't have a full understanding of what DCC is. First of all, converting most DCC locomotives to DCC is as simple as adding a decoder. On older locomotives you may have to modify the wiring in such a way that the chassis is not used as a ground, like in a blue box Athearn. The motor must be isolated from the chassis, once this is done it is a simple matter of hardwiring a decoder in locomotives that do not already have a DCC socket. For somebody who has expressed a desire to reverse engineer as much stuff as you have on this board, that should be second nature. As for specific recommendations for decoder installation, many decoder manufacturers offer tutorials on installing decoders into specific locomotives. My experience has been that while these tutorials are gears toward that company's products, decoders are standardized enough, especially the ones you hardwire, that you can install anybody's equivalent decoder using the tutorials. Good decoders can be found online for $20-25, economy ones for around $15.

It should be noted that while the Smart Interface would be a big improvement to the utility of EZ Command, It wouldn't add to the inherent weaknesses of the system, namely the limited slots available for locomotive addresses, the limited current capacity of the system, and the inability to do any decoder programming other than an address change. As I read the documentation, it would, however, allow the use of multiple cell phones as additional controllers. In theory, it would allow the use of up to 9 cell phones as controllers, each one controlling a different address. But by that time, you would have inevitably exceeded the current rating of the EZ Command, especially if you are running sound equipped locomotives.

Before I answer the queries, I would like to ask, about those DC and/or DCC compatible engines that can operate in either mode.  I'll be posting a question in this regards, unless someone else has already posted that question.  So... in response to the quote above,

Actually, I haven't given it a thought, that is, converting the 4 DC engines over to DCC.  One of the main reasons is probably due to the fact that over the course of my experience, I have not been successful taking stuff in a small box and remove stuff/equipment/components from one size box and redesign it to continue to fit in that same box.   Our lustrous automotive engineers have the same problem.  They change the components within the engine compartment.  (When I was a kid, my dad had me inside the fender and beside the engine replacing parts). Nowadays that same car engine has so many parts, you now have to take other parts out in order to get to/find the part you want to replace, let alone the fact that a small kid can't even sit inside the engine compartment of a car today.  (Sorry, did it again, got off the subject.)
So in short, adding a DCC decoder to the DC engine electrically is easy, but getting those additional parts back into the engine (i.e., engine case and chassis) would be my Achilles heel.

As for the smart interface, it might seem simple today (for others), but I guess I'm still after that pass that so enthralled me when I was a kid.  That simple throttle, that simple reverse button, not having to look at the controls, but have eyes on the engine and cars, and not the controller.  The new controllers one has to look at the controller to make sure you have pressed the correct button for the train one was supposed to be operating.
I haven't ventured into the sound equipment yet.  But I don't see EZ Command being outrated (current capacity) due to my complicated track design (see Post:  Re: 2 EZ Commands?  Reply #18 on: May 27, 2021, 08:30:05 PM)

I'm kinda like Bachmann, I want to keep controls simple,  cause I want the simple to operate the complicated and complicated parts I like designing for, and believe me, it won't fit in the box .

Mr. Hunt  Did I miss Something?   From the video you provided, I don't know how Bachmann got from the standard controller to the smartphone's app.    From what I see, you have to have an EZ app equipped engine.    Am I wrong?   

They missed a very important issue.  Us old guys will eventually give up our model trains to our kids and grandkids and great grandkids.  If you have to buy a new engine in order to get the EZ app to work, the cost is prohibitive to the us old timers.  The kids (grand kids) parents aren't going to spend additional money for an old train set.  Let alone the fact (my opinion) that a majority of kids today aren't into model trains where you have to have a smart train engine, a phone let alone setting the train up and having extra issues with connectivity.
The prices for DCC engines is not at the level of a train car.  For example, I have 5 DCC engines, 4 DC engines that work fine, but my kids aren't going to buy a new EZ app engine, if they can just play on their playstation or Nintendo.  Sorry , got off on a tangent.

I can see why it isn't going over big.    That E-Z Command Smart Interface that they never produced would have eliminated buying new engines. 
Please tell me that I missed something, so I can delete this rant, not at the engineers who designed it, but the marketing management's decision to not at least try a sample first.   Ford lost when they stopped making the Bronco, now they're bringing it back, after Jeep kept making big profits.

Again thanks for sharing.  And I will stop acting like an old geezer ranting about marketing folks not listening to the engineers.

Wow!  I must admit, Bachmann is still sticking to their main theme "First time, Beginner's, Kids under a certain age, as the company's focus.   The EZ companion smart interface would ...in my opinion, move the company from that beginning point into the intermediate users.   

Again I believe Bachmann is missing a profit making area.  Why, because every kid that I know of has a smart phone or better.  I'm the obsolete one... still using a flip phone and the E-Z command

Thanks for sharing.   

Interesting, but it does not answer my basic question of what the 2 additional bus connectors at the rear of the panel are for.  

The two front panel connectors are- one for the controller and the other for the walk-around.  The two on the rear I haven't been able to confirm whether they are for additional walk-arounds or for other controllers.  I'd test them but all I have is one controller and one walk around.  When I eventually purchase another walk-around (if they ever get cheap enough) or additional controller then I could test those two rear connections.

By the way,  I know I know, It would be better served to move to the more advanced DCC controllers.  But I like to keep my mind occupied solving problems others have given up on. (see my other posts for reference)

UPDATE:  Terry, thanks.  Your reply had me browsing other messages on this board, and I found what I was looking for.  This url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pWy-LySuik .    To view Part 3 Bachmann video about Walk Around Companion Connector Panel.   

Next time, I'll search this site more closely for there are answers to questions that someone, somewhere has already asked.  I just need to look more closely.

Okay, Hi all.   I've been working on my electrical setup and came across the fact that the E-Z Command Connector Panel has two Wi-Fi type connectors on the rear of the panel.  I went to Bachmann's manuals webpage and could not find the instruction manual for Model no 36-515 E-Z Command Connector Panel.  Does anyone know how I can get a copy of this instruction manual?  I'm pretty sure it should be a simple instruction manual.  I just want to make sure/verify that the rear connectors are for either the power controller or additional connections to support additional walk-arounds. 

...didn't know that Bachmann had previously made one.  ...Is that motor strong enough to do that? Would you have to build some type of tower with weight on the pivot end to help it along?

Good questions all.  I'll try to answer since at this point in time, it's only a concept.  Bachmann's Bascale Bridge is too small.  I was looking at the Walters Bascale bridge.   Is the motor strong enough to handle that?  Don't know at this point.  But I do have a motor that is geared and could provide the power.  The Bridge building would have to be enlarged to accommodate the gearing and that motor.  The design would definitely have to have additional weight at the pivot end.  I've got some heavy weights that will work.  The question I have is, will the pivots of the bridge, being made of plastic support the operation of the bridge and not wear out quickly?  In my experience two pieces of plastic rubbing or rolling along each other don't last long.

That concern for alignment of the rails is, of course, not easy, but very doable.  Everyone does it everyday, for example plugging in the coffee pot.  The electrical connections meet up and provide the AC through a tight connection. The rails would be no different.  That is, connecting the bridge section to the permanent portion of the rails.  Actually the hard part is getting the bridge out of the connection like the AC plug when you pull it out of the socket.  I've never hear of Ntrak.   That- I'll go research, maybe get some additional ideas.   Thanks for commenting your concern, which I'll keep most heartily in mind.