Can anyone give me information on the Bachamnn DCC System

[Train 284]

Can someone please give me some info on the DCC by Bachmann. If not, how about some info a on another system thats relativley cheap. I'm only 14 and my budget is limited so that is why I'm shooting for Bachmann. Thanks!

Matt

The Shasta Central Railroad

[selector]

Feedback here is that it is a good buy of you can get it for around $50-60, and that usually means not at your local hobby shop. Try on-line.

As to its utility, it is a good beginner set and most users will be pleased with it. However, if you have a locomotive decoder that gives multi-function, you will not be able to get all functions to run on the EZ Command. Also, the EZ Command does not have enought output in programming mode to program the older Broadway Limited Imports QSI-equipped locomotives. Those need lots of power to overcome the protection afforded to the decoders by their robust capacitors.

[Anonymous]

Hi Matt
The Bachmann E-Z Command would be the best value for modelers not made of money. Walthers is offering a Command with a DCC equiped loco for $100 USD. Still not cheap for someone your age, but maybe you can find a better price elsewere. It's made by Lenz and is expandable, so it won't become usless if you upgrade to a Lenz DCC set. There are limitations, like the one amp power supply (1.5 amps peak). They claim it can run five locomotives, if they only draw 1/4 amp. That's ok for N scale locomotives but a low cost HO scale loco may draw 1/2 to 1 amp. A good quality locomotive draws less than a 1/2 amp, so you could run a few quality locomotives at a time. They will be offering a 5 amp booster sometime this year. Check out their web site for more info.

That's still a better deal that buying a used MRC Command 2000 even if you find one for $30. By the time you add a $40 power supply you are into as much dough as a E-Z Command. Also the MRC Command 2000 is very limited and not expandable except for the hand held throttle.

The other offering by MRC is the Prodigy. It has it's limits too and I'll let other comment about that system.

Atlas starter set, the Atlas Commander is also made by Lenz, but it's too pricy for what it is. The Commander cost $170 USD (MSRP) and that doesn't include the power supply, The Generator, for another $43. That puts you in the same price range as a Digitrax starter set. I bought a Lenz 90 Starter set for $190.

For a small layout with only two trains, the old DC system with Atlas selectors and block wiring may not be such a bad thing to live with for awhile.

[ereimer]

if your choice is the bachmann or nothing , go for the bachmann !

anything else is going to cost you at least double , probably more . so unless you're good at saving it's going to take a long time to get something better

seems to me that people who have the bachmann EZ command , and who understand that it IS a low end system without all the bells and whistles of a $200+ setup , are pretty happy with it . so have fun !

[Train 284]

Thank you for all your help, I think I will shoot for the Bachamnn. Waht the heck! I saw one for $50 and that just makes it into my spending range!

MAtt

[duck69a]

I recieved mine last week, I also picked up a bachmann DCC equiped loco at a show and am very happy so far, it is very easy to setup and use. I currently have just a 4x8 layout so the power is enough for now, but I will be considering the booster when I becomes available later this year.

[Train 284]

Yes I was to, Thank you!

Matt

[tstage]

Matt,

The Bachmann EZ Command System can be had from http://www.wholesaletrains.com for $53 (plus S & H) Here's the direct link:

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=RGBVCW&ID=200401356

Selector did a great job of listing the EZC's pros and cons.

Tom

[TurboOne]

Hey Matt, I will be checking out the store and see if they will sell another one for the price I told you. I will let you know tomorrow. I added two more Bachmann locos, now I have three. All three run on the number 3 address and it is cooooooool. They were $33 for engine with decoder. They were less $$ online, but I didn't have to pay shipping, or wait, so I bought them.

Take Care,

Tim

[Train 284]

Thank you very much Tim!!!

Matt

[SP4449]

I bought the set that has the locomotive and command station in it and recently purchased a locomotive at Caboose Hobbies in Denver for about 20% less than in Walthers. Caboose has online ordering and there was quite an extensive selection of DCC Onboard locomotives to choose from - from GP40s of various road names to F3A and companion F3B units (both with DCC Onboard) of various road names.

The system is economical for entry level experimentation and watch for add-on expansion items later this year. Have fun!