Bachmann DCC starter sets

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Are the Bachmann DCC starter sets god for someone just coming into DCC? Any feedback will be appreciated.

2

It depends what you want to do. They are cheap, but you dont get very much either. You cannot program CVs, that is my big gripe about it. CV programming is needed if you want to run a reasonably realistic layout. Personally I wouldnt buy one, but those who have it say it does just what it should and they like it. So if you are looking for a VERY basic system just to dip your toe in the DCC ocean, the bachmann is an OK choice. However if you plan on expanding you would be better going with a more advanced system.

3

consider the bachmann dcc setup to be the low end beginner system . there are many people who are happy with it , but if you want anything more than the minimum to get you into DCC it’s not for you

read this thead for more info
which dcc ?

4

A Bach rep told me you can only run 1 train at a time with it. You have to park the first, switch to the next loco, and start that one running.

5

i find it very hard to believe that the bachmann dcc system will run only 1 loco at a time . i do however believe that a bachmann rep might say that . i really hate people who insist on giving an answer even if they don’t know what the heck they’re talking about . i once worked with a computer service tech whose answer to any question he didn’t have a clue about was ‘i don’t see any reason why not’ . made me cringe every time i heard it

6

I have recently, within the week, bought a Bachmann DCC starter set. The name of it does not come to mind, and I’m too lazy to go down to the basement to check it… but I enjoy it and think that it is a quality set for the ammount I paid. I am a beginner to the hobby so I do not have much experience to base my oppinions on. By the way, I can run 10 DCC’s at once (sounds very complicated) or 9 DCC’s and an analogue. I have already run one of my dad’s old Athearn trains and a DCC at the same time, and it performed nicely. You can also link two or more locos together with this system. Hope this information helps.

7

Need to make some corrections here:

Loathar,

Nope, not true. My guess is that the Bachmann rep may have said that as a blanket statement for both new and old locomotives.

The older locomotives will draw more current than newer ones. Therefore, with only 1-amp max. output, you’d probably only be able to run a single locomotive at a time. However, if you have any of the newer locomotives, you can run up to 3 simultaneously with the Bachmann E-Z Command.

On a small 4 x 8’ layout, that’s more than enough. It’s hard enough to keep track of 2, let alone 3 locomotives at a given time.

pyroguy_3,

First off, [#welcome] to the forum! Good to have you aboard! [:)]

Actually, with your Bachmann E-Z Command, you can “store” 9 DCC addresses at once, plus one (1) DC. However, you can’t “run 10 DCC’s at once” because you only have 1-amp max. output. Now, if you purchase the Bachmann E-Z Command 5-amp booster, then you’d perhaps be able to run that many.

Again, it depends on how much each of your locomotives draw. Locomotives with sound will draw more current.

Someone on the Bachmann forum said that the new 5-amp booster was released, but I have yet to verify that on any websites that I have visited.

Hope that clears things up…

Tom

8

Colin,

Yes, I think so. If you are just wanting to try DCC out to see if you like it, but you don’t want to initially commit a lot of money to it, the Bachmann E-Z Command is a nice fit for you. I’ve seen them as cheap as $50.

Now, granted, it’s a limited DCC system with only 1-amp max. output. And, as has already been pointed out, you can’t adjust any of the configuraton variables (CVs) with the Bachmann. However, it’s still a good, basic, no-frills, inexpensive DCC system to “get your feet wet” in DCC.

I have one locomotive with sound. Even with the limitations of the E-Z Command, I still have access to eight (8) sound functions and one light function.

Whatever you do, Colin, don’t pay full price for one. You can easily find them on the Internet on discount, if you hunt around carefully. I bought one about a year ago for $53.

Here’s a another thread that was discussed recently on the forum about the Bachmann E-Z Command that may be helpful:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54312

Tom

9

[:D]Tom;
when did bachmann come out with there 5-amp booster?I bought an EZ command about an year ago,at the time there was talk of an 5-amp booster,And how much does it cos

10

Had 4 engines going the other night on the EZ Command. A few problems but not really that bad. I have a 12 gauge bus line with feeders and that helps. The layout is 9x13. For now the Bachmann DCC works fine for me. I saw their DCC starter sets in the catalog and thought that sounded really interesting. One of the draw backs to a train set usually was quality. The Bachmann DCC sets had a loco and some Spectrum passenger cars which are really nice. The track they come with is a little strange but should be perfect for a begineer.

RMax1

11

That’s good to know. I thought 1 at a time sounded pretty dumb. I called Bach and asked to speak to a DCC rep. He’s the one that mis informed me.[B)][D)]

12

yes i think there great sets to get started with i plan on getting the chessie one soon. to add to my collection.

13

Jim,

Bachmann announced several months ago that they were going to be releasing several items to plug into there E-Z Command system by the end of the year:

  • 5-amp booster
  • Reversse Loop module
  • Turnout control
  • Walk around throttle

Bachmann has had them listed on their web site in anticipation of that, but I have yet to see them available online anywhere. Even the “Bach-Man” himself said he hadn’t seen anything. This one fellow said he saw it at his LHS in Delaware.

I think the 5-amp booster is running ~$140, These should be able to plug into the I/O port in the back of the E-Z Command. That’s about the jist of all I know so far.

Tom

14

Thanks guys, you have really helped me out in this process so far. Tom, you are right about getting it at a low price, I think my one LHS has it for $50 to $60 dollars. I was also looking at the DCC locos from Bachmann in the Walters Catalog I get every month, and they have them going for $30 dollars. I was looking at the Reading, NKP and those roads, after all I am from the Northeast area, in Montgomery County, PA.

15

I have the starter set and two locos. I think the Bachmann rep was referring to the difficulty in having two engines in orbit at the same time using a single control knob. Its true that the power supply may be able to handle more than one engine but can the engineer?

The simplicity comes in being able to assign a cab number to several locos on the layout by just pressing a button - 1 through 8. Anytime you want to control that loco, press the correct address button. The effect is that any other loco running on the layout is released from the control to run at the speed and direction setting in effect when you pressed the button but now you have control of the new loco. To regain control of the runaway, press its corresponding address button - 1 through 8. But now you have different runaway. This set is a perfect training device for the “cornfield meet” demonstration you were planning for the next club train show.

16

I posted this in another topic as well. Hope you guys don’t mind duplicates:

I’m going back into the hobby after almost 20 yrs. Used to have HO, one loco at a time, very basic. Due to space, I’m thinking N, but would like to give DCC a whirl (sounds like fun to be able to run more than 1 loco). Question: since the Bachman DCC can handle both digital and analog, do I still need to create blocks when I want them running together? What I mean is, if I stop the analog train, will the other stop as well since there is no power going to the track anymore? If I have blocks, would I need to cut the power to the block where the analog train is, so the digital keeps running? If this is confusing, ping me off-list, and I’ll try to make myself clearer.
Thanks

17

Michelrs,

I hope I understand what you’re asking… The analog will act like a DCC locomotive with the Bachmann. The analog is programmed to number 10 on the controller. When you want to control it, you click the 10 button and change speed, direction, etc. When you want to control another locomotive, click its number. The analog will continue to run at the speed you left it at… You can only run 1 analog with the Bachmann system, but you can run a number of DCC locos with the analog.

I will say the analog hums a bit when it idles on the track and from what I read it’s not a good idea to let an analog loco idle very long on a DCC track.

Does this make sense?

Tim in MN

18

Tim, that sounds exactly like the answer I was looking for! Now to get my hands on a controller. I’ve read in another thread they can be had for less than $60. Off we go searching the internet!
Thanks again.
Michel