Will Bachmann EZ DCC work?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have started a new HO 2’ x 8’ switching shelf layout. Sold the old layout which had DCC, old Command 2000 that worked great. Since the new shelf layout is essentially a point to point and will only be running one engine at a time, I want to keep it as simple as I can. My question is will the cheap EX DCC Backmann have the power to run at least one of the out of the box DCC SOUND equipped engines like Atlas, Proto 2000, Blue line etc ?

Appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks, DON

2

You will be able to run one for sure, maybe two.

3

But you won’t have acces to all the functions. IIRC, there are 12 sound functions, the EZ DCC only has 10. I bought a Zephyr for my RR.

4

My opinion, such as it is, is that you may be going in a retrograde direction if your previous system allowed you to run more trains and to access CV’s in order to adjust their values, and hence the locomotives’ performance. To be perfectly honest, the EZ-Command will probably run as many as three sound engines if they are not working very hard, but you will only be able to re-address them, not change their performance characteristics.

5

I have easily powered two sound equipped dcc engines with a Bachmann system…and actually ran a third engine in the switch yard with no issues…this was on a small layout…but like it was said…your limited to ten functions…Tim

6

both the Bachmann EZ Command and the DIgitrax Zephyr have only EIGHT functions plus lights, to have twelve functions on the zephyr, you have to add a UT4/DT400 throttle.

I operate four sound locos, plus two non sound locos, with an EZ Command on a small switching layout all the time, the Zephyr (which I also have and operate my larger layout with) has more options, but it is also two-three times the price.

7

Don,

As others have said, the E-Z Command should work fine in your situation. I was able to operate 3 locomotives simultaneously with my E-Z Command; one with sound.

As mentioned, the one major drawback is the fact that you won’t have any CV control. You will have 8 sound functions plus lights with the E-Z Command. I originally picked one up for $53 and enjoyed it for the year that I had it. It is simple to use.

Tom

8

It should work. If your goin anything bigger than 5x7, get a Digitrax Zephyr.

9

Thanks for the help everybody. My question was answered.

Appreciate it, DON

10

Might want to think about a Prodigy Express. That will give you more control than the Bach EZ.
They’re selling for around $120 now. Here’s Tony’s review on it.
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/mrc-prodigye-review.htm

11

I have a UT4R throttle I got from Litchfield station for 100 bucks. They sent me 2 though, so I sent it back and got the shipping paid for in store credit. (I though of keeping it though)

12

Yes it should be able to handle one sound equipped locomotive.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1453

Also Lentz made this DCC system for Bachmann.

I am thinking about using one of these on my next N Scale ISL…Going N Scale…Not enough room for a HO ISL.

13

Save yourself a whoe lot of grief. Get a NCE Powerhouse Pro Cab unit. Not only is it much superior, it is so much easier to use. Programming on the NCE is outstanding.

14

I use to use the MRC 2000 with hand held remote. It was great for bringing in a helper loco to the rear of a train while moving.

That should work fine for a switching layout. If you can live with the restrictions and want to save money, go for it. Remember, there will alwys be someone who will tell you that you can get more, no matter what the DCC system you buy.

There is a Bachmann forum also.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/

Rich

15

The DCC system is independant from the layout size. You could run a club sized layout with an MRC 2000 if you needed to.

David B

16

Don,

My grandson and I used Bachmann EZ Command to run up to three sound locomotives simultaneously around a temporary EZ track layout on the floor of a 14’ X 18’ room. The layout included several switches and crossovers and no feeder wires. It’s a great starter dcc system that we used for over two years until we “graduated” to MRC Prodigy Advance Squared wireless system to access CVs, more sound functions, and control more trains.

Good luck!