notelvis OK folks - this is the kind of information I'm looking for - thanks...... It sounds like the EZ Command is something that would hold my attention for a couple of years at best.....that's why if I start there, it will be with a used system that someone else has just outgrown.... But I might just go whole hog and start with a system that has.....well.....higher growth potential.
OK folks - this is the kind of information I'm looking for - thanks......
It sounds like the EZ Command is something that would hold my attention for a couple of years at best.....that's why if I start there, it will be with a used system that someone else has just outgrown....
But I might just go whole hog and start with a system that has.....well.....higher growth potential.
At best you would outgrow it in a few months...maybe a few weeks. I'd go with a Digitrax Zephyr or an MRC Prodigy system, maybe the Prodigy Express. Both are reasonably priced (check Micro Mark) and expandable.
cudakenBachmann does have the equipment you will need for a reversing loop so that is not a problem.
The auto-reversers that have been mentioned a couple of times go on the track side of the DCC system. So, they are covered by the NMRA DCC standards, and are all interoperable. You can use a Digitrax auto-reverser with a Bachmann system, for example. One of the most popular auto-reverse units is made by Tony's Trains, and they don't even make complete DCC systems.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Bachmann does have the equipment you will need for a reversing loop so that is not a problem. You can use the E-Z as a walk around control if you add some wire to it's cord and track power wires. Little awkward with all the wires but could be done.
If all you need for now is 3 engines you should be fine. If they are not all sound engines you may be able to run more.
Good sizes bus wire, solder joiners and feeders will help the lower power out put of the E-Z. You can all so get a 5 amp booster for the E-Z. If you ever need more power, I would look at a different DCC system. Last time I looked for a E-Z booster they where $150.00? But, there are used one floating around some where.
Like I said, my E-Z kept me happy for 3 years. Great way to get started, easy to use and durable. I got mine used from T-Stage.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
The throttle will be your interface to the system. When I went out DCC shopping, I paid a lot of attention to the "look and feel" of the throttle unit. I ended up with a Lenz System 100, for a lot of reasons, but one of the big ones was the big-button throttle. I have large hands and old eyes, so those tiny cell-phone buttons on many throttles were not what I was after.
I personally did not want a fixed-base control system. I have tethered throttles, and I installed a "control bus" all the way around the layout so I could plug the throttle in anywhere around the track. Since I enjoy "just running trains," I can put a stool down anywhere along the line and "rail fan" from that spot, with full control of all the trains on the layout.
The Zephyr is a good starter system. Although it is fixed-base, it's easy to add either a tethered throttle or even a wireless. However, one thing that some people don't catch on to right away is that you can't mix-and-match components on the control side of DCC systems. So, I can't plug my Lenz throttle into someone's Digitrax system, and an NCE throttle won't work with an MRC Prodigy system. On the track side, of course, they all play together very nicely, but you should be happy with all aspects of the controllers when you make your choice.
For Cuda Ken -
I'm looking to model (in On30) a narrow guage railroad (ET&WNC) circa the early to mid-1940's. By this time the ET&WNC rarely had more than two or three locomotives in steam at any one time.
So......I'm looking at two or three trains tops, a small yard with enginehouse, a crossover track so that the one reversing loop can be accessed by trains arriving at the terminal from either direction, and then a couple of passing tracks each holding a locomotive and up to 7 freight cars out on the single track mainline.
Walkaround control would be nice but not neccessary. The benchwork is on 5 hollow core doors from Lowes. The doors range in width from 28 to 36 inches but the reversing loop area has been widened to 42 inches. Switches could maybe be remote control at some point but initially will be manually operated. The idea is that I can 'play' trains by myself or have one or two friends over to operate the switces which are more than an arms length away.
Main reason for wanting to go DCC at this time is that the Bachmann locomotives now available for the ET&WNC road name are DCC equipped. I see this as a learning layout using a new scale and new technology for the first time. I anticipate one more house move maybe three to five years in the future and following that move starting the biggest and best layout I've ever managed to build......in which my On30 ET&WNC system is a component of something even more grand.
...provided you program the loco address to something between 1 and 9.
Personally, I prefer to use the road number on the side of the engine for the address, but EZCommand can't run one with address 6483. Rather than having to change the address to something EZ can see in order to clean the wheels, I just hook my wheel cleaner to the track buss with alligator clips and pick the engine up.
Ken likes his EZCommand, and who knows, you might too, but I consider mine to be a waste of time and money.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
notelvis It sounds like the EZ Command is something that would hold my attention for a couple of years at best.....that's why if I start there, it will be with a used system that someone else has just outgrown....
What do you want your DCC system to do? If it could take a couple of year's the E-Z is a great system! If you can get one used for a round $50.00 well worth the money. Reason I out grew the E-Z? I want a walk around throttle, was not worth the cost of the E-Z walk around throttle, now it might be. When I was looking at them the same cost as a new E-Z command station.
Lot of people here out grew it because they wanted to write CV's! Not me! If you go to the Digitrax site and look up PR 3 and PS 14 power supply (hardware) and down load Decoder Pro (free software) you can program with the best of them! Total cost from LHS was around $65.00.
My E-Z ran 3 BLI sound engines with it's mer 1 amp power supply.
Some people will tell you not to wast the $50.00 or so on something you cannot use latter! I still use mine on the work bench to clean wheels and try new CV's settings. Throw the engine on the PR 3, reset the engine address or change CV's (takes a few seconds) set on the E-Z clean the wheels or try new CV's. Throw back on the PR 3, change address and off and running.
You can all so use a DC throttle with the E-Z as well. Will need a cable to do it, but sure Bachmann will have them.
I had an EZCommand. I used it for a couple of months, threw it into a box of extra stuff and bought a Digitrax Super Chief. I recommend the Zephyr, but there are also several other good systems that are far more capable than the EZCommand.
notelvis1) What would be the most efficient (and affordable) way to convert over to DCC for, say 2 train (3 at most) operation? It has been suggested that I look for a decent used Bachmann E-Z command system.
I love my E-Z, used it for around 3 years before I out grew it. With this being your 4th layout, I think you would grow tired of the E-Z very quickly. Depending on your budget, I would either go with a Zepher $160.00 or a Super Empire Builder $300.00. What I love about the SEB is the DT 400 throttle. It makes running 4 engines at the same time very easy.
And Welcome.
If you step up a bit to the Zephyr from Digitrax you can hook 2 of your current DC power packs to it to use as additional throttles - giving you control over speed and direction of 3 locos at the same time, out of the box with nothing extra to buy.
For your reverse loop, you can still switch polarity with a toggle (or the Atlas components), because with DCC you can change the 'polarity' (since DCC is a square wave signal, technically it's the phase) under a moving locomotive and it won't be affected - the phase of the signal has nothign to do with what direction the loco moves. You can also change it so the toggle changes the phase of the loop track - opposite of the DC method of changing the main track. But an even better way is to get an autoreverser. Connect the track feeds of the loop portion tot he reverse module. I assume since the loop works, you have gaps in both rails at each end of it. Now all you need to do it remember to throw the switch, the autoreverser will detect the mismatch as the train enters or exits the loop and instantly flip it for you, no more remembering to flip the switch on the Atlas controller.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello Folks -
I'm a 'fer fun' modeller meaning I like to get my trains going on a solid layout and watch 'em roll. I like to 'simulate' real life places but am not into exacting detail. I've built 3 N scale layouts over the last 20 years and now have an practice On30 layout going in on my existing benchwork.
All along I've used (and re-used) off-the-shelf Atlas components to divide the layout(s) into blocks and I'm comfortable with that. That includes the current On30 layout which I've been running with a locomotive out of one of the Bachmann starter sets while I 'cut my teeth' with this new scale.
HOWEVER - Bachmann has just come out with the DCC equipped ET&WNC 4-6-0's and it's time, I think, to convert to DCC.
Here are my questions -
1) What would be the most efficient (and affordable) way to convert over to DCC for, say 2 train (3 at most) operation? It has been suggested that I look for a decent used Bachmann E-Z command system.
2) Would that system accomodate the crossover and reversing loop currently on my layout as it is out-of-the-box or is there something more I'd have to do?
This is going to be quite a leap for me but I really, really want to get the ET&WNC up and running in my basement!
Thanks -