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N gage Newbie w/ EZ track and MRC 2000 DCC needs fortune told

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, March 28, 2005 10:04 PM
I have an HO EZ track layout. I have 17 turnouts. I have the turnouts working for all but 3 or 4 of my engines. One of the engines that doesn't work well is my son's Hogwarts Express and I built this 4x8 layout for my kids. He gets frustrated and quits running the trains after a few minutes. I have spent more time tuning the turnouts than I have running trains.

My wife just ceeded me a 14 x 24 section of basement. I'm going with flex track and tortoise-powered #6 turnouts. I've had it with EZ track

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: City of Québec,Canada
  • 1,258 posts
Posted by Jacktal on Monday, March 28, 2005 8:58 PM
It seems that your trackwork is indeed carrying current fine...so far.But as time will go on,you are likely to experience current drops as your locos will likely draw a little more and your tracks are going to develop faulty joints with aging,more so if you dismantle and reassemble them occasionally.

DCC uses full voltage all the time,so less vulnerable to power drops.But it will not compensate for faulty trackwork and since DCC allows multiple trains operating at the same time,meaning more draw,the absence of feeders may then show in a very frustrating way.And yes,your locos will run as smooth on DCC if not smoother.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
N gage Newbie w/ EZ track and MRC 2000 DCC needs fortune told
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, March 28, 2005 12:50 PM
Hello and thanks to all who have helped on this forum.

I know that many folks see the N gage Bachmann EZ track as unsatisfactory or not useable in a NICE layout, but I have about 45ft. of it, and have been very happy with it.. I like it because I will be periodically changing the layout so I won't get bored.

I am only running one train on DC at this point and do not have a decoder insalled loco as yet. I only have one hookup to the power source (MRC 2000) and all my trains run great, fast and slow, around the whole track with no slowdowns. I keep hearing about running buss wires every 3 to 6 feet to eliminate slowdowns and stuttering and flickering. My question is ....Should I expect a DCC equiped loco to not run as smooth as they do on DC. If so ...why is this? I feel blessed so far with my EZ track.....except for the filing needed on all the turnouts..and just would like to know what the future has instore for me......

Thanks to all who respond to this....especially the EZ track owners.

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