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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by piccolotess Yes I definitely want DCC and sound for in the future....so I would love to have it all completely installed if at all possible.....I might even buy the bachman E-Z command right away if it is really that inexpensive. Would I need different accessories for the E-Z command? ex: different track feeders? [/quote] In theory no. I do not have the EZ Command System. I know they have a feeder set up that is "Plug & Play" where you plug one end into the EZ Command Module, and plug the other into a special "Terminal Track". But if iether of you have any basic wiring skills, It is a simple matter of cutting the Terminal Track end off, and splicing the EZ Command Feeder with your regular Track Feeder. Simple "Scotch Lock" splicers can accompli***his for you if so inclined. [quote]QUOTE: Yes I am intending on using the FT for freight and the 4-8-4 for passengers when it is available....I like the idea of preordering it.....I'm going to do that after Ii confirm everything else. Will the Bachman E-Z command work for both locos? [/quote] A basic requirment of any DCC system for it to be called a DCC system is it must be able to run any DCC equipped locomotive. However, I did study up on the features of the EZ-Command system and find it a rather limited propsistion. With EZ Command you can only have 10 locomotives or Consists (The term for a group of more than one locomotive operating together) on the track. At any given time. Whle that is more than eneugh for a small bedroom sized layout. If you build a larger model railroad than that, I fear that you would replace the system rather than expand it. A thought would be to consider a DCC system by Atlas, Lenz or Digitrax. The Atlas System is made by Lenz and at a later date if you wanted to add more capabilities to your system you can easily expand it with components made by Lenz. Lenz is a highly reccomended manufacturor, and were I not given a Digitrax System as a Christmas Present a couple years ago. I would have probably gone with that. But as I said I use the Digitrax system. It to is of high quality. and very expandable. You can start with their "Zypher" starter set. While like the EZ Command it can run 10 Trains at once. The Zypher can litterally handle over 10,000 Separte locomotives and Consists on the track at once. This lets you use the system more flexibly where as you can size the system off how many trains your running at once, rather than how many locomotives you have as I get the impression EZ-Command does. The Zypher also has a feature where it can turn your MRC Power Pack you purchased into another DCC throttle so you can get going with two trains. Then later of your Layout Grows and gets bigger, Digitrax componets Plug together daizy chain fashion and you can expand the Zypher into a system that can run up to 127 separate Locomotives/Consists at once. For these reasons, I reccomend something other than EZ Command. But, I must state that EZ Command given what I view are its limitations is a quality system. I just find stuck down at the proverbial "Basic Cable" end of the DCC spectrum. In terms of features. [quote]QUOTE: What exactly are the adjustments necessary to have a loco work on non-dcc when it is set up for DCC.....is there an easy way of doing that. I was under the impression that any DCC loco would work on a regular controller just minus the special effects....I guess I'm wrong with that. I was hoping to get a fully loaded train then add the DCC controller on our anniversary a couple weeks later... [/quote] For a DCC equipped locomotive to do as you describe, it needs to be outfitted with what is known as a "Dual Mode" Decoder. They can iether be Manual switch, like those made by Atlas, or Automatic such as those made by Digitrax and North Coast Engineering. You can also rest assured that any locomotive that you purchace with a DCC Decoder installed at the factory (With the exception of Bachmann Locos from what I understand) are installed with Dual Mode Decoders. [quote]QUOTE: Texas had the point of it not necessary to have a powered B. Do i need the powered b in order to have the sound decoder and DCC installed in the train? Or can I just leave the powered b out and get the other stuff? [/quote] Nope You can still have an unpowered B. What I typically see in such an installation is that the Decoder gets placed in the powered A unit. Then Wires are run back to the B so that the sound chip, wheather it is intigrated into the Decoder, or a separate component can run the speakers in the B Unit. Installations in an Unpowered Unit Generally Deliver Higher quality sound as larger speaker enclosures can be made. However with that said, it is my personal preferance to have all my locos powered. But the layout I am planning is set in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. With steep hills and stuff. and Hauling 25-30 car trains. (Which are quite large trains on a model railroad) Glad I could be of further assistance. James Mitich
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