The new Bachmann DCC limits-pro or con?

[Anonymous]

Hello, New to model railroading. I have purchased a Bachman EZ Connect DCC system and was wondering if it would run a Marklin DCC loco or if the Marklin loco was proprietary only (needing Marklin HO scale track and a Marklin DCC controller?)

I have read good things about Bachman and chose them, but one of my newly purchased Marklin locos states that it was designed only for the Marklin system....

Any ideas?

[Benjamin Maggi]

About the Marklin issue, Marklin trains come in AC voltage and DC voltage. The AC ones remind me of the lionel trains as they pickup current through studs in the middle of the ties and use sliders underneath the engine to collect, and then the two outside rails are connected and form the return. Marklin's DC engines work just like those from American manufacturers, except that possibly the voltage required might be different.

If your Marklin engines are AC, I don't think the Bachmann DCC set will work, much less any other. I cannot be sure, as I have never studied HO scale AC operation. If your marklin engines are DC, then they should work fine once you have a decoder installed. You CANNOT mix and match AC and DC engines on a layout powered with AC, or you will blow your DC motors!

[Anonymous]

Visited a train show last year. they had aprox 8 Bach DCC layonts set up,didn't get to operate because of the long lines for the only 2 that operated. I don't think you have access to all of theCVs Has only 1 amp of power. can't use your loco's # as its address. I'd spend a little more & get a "starter " system that can be updated. I know of no one that didn't like DCC once he got familiar with it, but if you do start out with the "entry level" system, it may make you think it's not worth it. I use Digitrax , got the low price set ,later added the 400 controller & a 6.5 amp. power supply.