I am just finishing designing my first train layout for my son and I. The next step is to gather the pieces and begin assembling the layout. The layout is basically a dogbone, but there is one reversing loop built within the layout. The layout is all Bachmann E-Z Track, and I intend to upgrade to a DCC system, but for now, we are using our starter train set (Santa Fe Red Rock Express) and a standard DC control system. My question is this: if I purchase the Bachman E-Z Command Auto Reversing Loop Controller, will this work with my pure DC layout? Everything I see says it is DCC, but will it still work with a regular DC setup? Thank you in advance for your advice.
If it says only that it's DCC and it's an auto-reverser, then, no, it won't work with DC. There was a thorough discussion on this recently, so will try to find the link and post it here.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
In general, DCC autoreversers do not work with DC. The big difference is that ot match polarities, in DCC you switchthe polarity under the moving train, in DC, you switch the polarity of the main line before the train exits the loop. The DC method of using an extra DPDT toggle switch wired for reversing actually does also work on DCC, but the idea is to not have to flip toggles when running trains.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy is right. DCC auto-reversers are for DCC.
I would suggest converting to DCC sooner rather than later. If you plan to do it anyway, it's easier to go with DCC from the start and not have to re-do anything later.
And, auto-reversers are interchangeable. You don't need to get a Bachmann model.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.