Stupid Newbie Bachmann EZ Track DCC questions

[Gearbox]

Hello all, not so much as a newbie but rather old school. Have been collecting Lionels since the 70's (60's if you count my first Christmas set) and even bought tons of the first generation command control Marklins in the 80's in Europe. But really had no time to set up more than a temporary layout from time to time. Now I am working in Shanghai and have lots of down time. Found that while everything cool is made here, it is almost impossible to buy. Not sure if there is no interest or some legal tax thing. But I did source out a Bachmann factory store. Despite being a Bachmann owned store, they have very few items in stock. Mostly HO scale, vertually no N scale, and little in the way of turnouts and speciality track in any scale. I wanted to buy a N scale DCC set and track, but the clerk told me that she had not even seen that yet. So I ended up picking up the Digital Commander set with a F3 and GP40 for about $150 USD, and a EZ track expander set for about $60.00. No real bargain.

Now that the introductions are out of the way, I set up the track and was pretty happy with the purchase. It ran well, easy to program, and far better than my recollections of the Bachmann trains in the 80's. I know the "Digital Commander" will severly limit an Empire, as I believe it will only handle 3 locos and I assume only 6 switches as the 10th button is for DC operations? Not sure. But here are my questions:

1. Is it possible to switch multiple turnouts with one address button? This way I could expand the number of turn outs on the layout.
2. Does Bachmann make a double cross over DCC EZ track so I can avoid using four seperate turnouts.
3. Does Bachmann make a decoupler EZ Track, doesn't have to be DCC.
4. Is it possible to adapt other manufacturers track with the Bachmann set up. i.e. Using an Atlas double cross over and what do I need to make the converstion?
5. Is it possible to convert a Bachmann EZ track Remote turn out to DCC and if so, what do I need?

Again, I'm overseas, so my hopes of building an Empire won't happen here. But maybe a modest layout with a switching yard and two mainlines would be my goal. I'm sure that if sucessful, I will be building a much more involved layout when I get back home using one of the professional series DCC controllers. Maybe even in N scale. But for now, Bachmann will have to do. I plan on being state side in June, so I can buy up all the switches and parts when I get back. Thanks for the help, Allan

 

[Cjcrescent]

Hello all...
1. Is it possible to switch multiple turnouts with one address button? This way I could expand the number of turn outs on the layout.

Allen, I will try to answer to the best of my abilities, I hope you won't get too mad if I'm wrong. As to the multiple turnout throwing with one button. Yes it can be done using a capacitor discharge system. Have what turnouts you'll want to throw with which address button programmed to the same number, or use one stationary decoder unit programmed to several turnouts with the capacitor discharge unit. I honestly don't know if the CD would have to be placed "behind" the stationary decoders or not. I don't know offhand what their current & voltage limit is. Minitronics sells several types.

2. Does Bachmann make a double cross over DCC EZ track so I can
avoid using four seperate turnouts.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on you point of view, Bachmann doesn't make a double crossover. However, Atlas makes the components to make one with their Customline code 100 products, (black ties under the rails). Depending on what size dblXover you want, #4, #6, or #8, will determine which crossing to buy as well. I know on a #6 one that you'll need a 19`crossing. For a #4, you'll need the 25`. For the #8, since these are a new product, just released, I don't know if they have the crossing needed, unless it's the 12.5`.

3. Does Bachmann make a decoupler EZ Track, doesn't have to be DCC.

No they don't. For uncoupling in easy reach, many use a plain bamboo skewer. If you want remote uncoupling many also use KD track magnets.

4. Is it possible to adapt other manufacturers track with the Bachmann set up. i.e. Using an Atlas double cross over and what do I need to make the converstion?

Explained in answer 1. Peco, Walthers, and Micro engineering also make the components for a double crossover in code 100, although the Atlas is the cheapest, and most readily available.

5. Is it possible to convert a Bachmann EZ track Remote turn out to DCC and if so, what do I need?

Bachmann sell their turnouts with DCC decoders installed. However these aren't cheap, so your best bet would be to get either the Lenz switch controller, which has IIRC 6 decoders in each unit. Digitrax sells stationary decoder units with 4 decoders in each unit.

I hope that I have helped you some, and haven't scared you off, or confused you even more. Good luck with the layout, switching or otherwise!

 

[Gearbox]

Thank you, you have been very informative. But I am sure I will be reading your post several times more before I absorb it all lol. Seems that there are still limitations and I am surprised that Bachmann doesn't have a decoupling track, half the fun of model railroading. While I am experimenting here in Shanghai with a modest set up, I hope to build a layout with 30 or more switches when I get back home and two huge yards. So I will have to get a really long bamboo pole lol. But the remote function is what I am looking for. I assumed you can program each switch seperately and that I will need a Pro DCC system. I'm a bit confused at your comment of the "IIRC 6 decoders in each unit. Digitrax sells stationary decoder units with 4 decoders in each unit", does this mean I can only operate 6 switches in total, or I have to buy a unit for each set of 6 switches? Sorry for the dumb questions, but I'm very new to this. Thanks Allan

 

[Cjcrescent]

No Allan, there are no dumb questions except one and that's the question NOT asked!

What it means is there are basically 6 stationary decoders in each unit. Meaning that there are six addresses available for use. The wires to the turnouts is what is important here. The decoder can then control (there's probably a limit) 2, 3, or maybe 4 turnouts. Go Here to learn more about the Lenz.

http://www.lenzusa.com/1newsite1/AccDecoders.html

I believe that it said up to 4 turnouts can be controlled with each output.

Digitrax sell a unit that does the same thing BUT there are only 4 stationary decoders in it. Here's the website so you can compare the specs on both units.

http://www.digitrax.com/menu_statdecoders.php

As to remote uncoupling, If you're going to be using the knuckle type couple, KD makes a between the rails uncoupling magnet that is glued between the rails, or another magnet is placed under the track itself. Best thing about these are that they can be placed anywhere you want to be able to uncouple. Of course they work best with their own KD couplers, which are sort of the defacto standard for couplers. They even make an electromagnet. Go Here;

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/uncoupl.htm