New to model railroading

trainman203 · March 12, 2023, 07:26:20 PM

It was mostly about layout surface to start with.

NerdlyNate · April 14, 2023, 02:47:44 PM

Thanks Trainman!
I did just purchase the Expanded track set and am planning on a 4x8 layout, haven't built the table yet.
Trying to figure out how to connect my switch power for the turnouts since the included red wires don't have a connector that fits into my powered derailer, and since I have the EZ command controller, it only has the one power plug, No terminals. Am I missing something simple here?

thanks!

Quote from: trainman203 on March 01, 2023, 09:54:10 AMNate, there are dozens of websites and YouTube videos about how to build a 4 x 8 model railroad table, how to put foam insulation on it, etc. And a lot more about beginning with model railroading in general. I wish all that had been around when I started. It will help you avoid a lot of mistakes that the rest of us made in the past. Just start searching on YouTube. You'll be astounded at how much stuff there is there. Do be advised, though, there are often several different ways to do a particular task, and a different video and opinion 😱😂 for each one. Just spend a few evenings exploring those.

If it were me, and I was just getting started today, I'd get one of those two train sets that the Bach Man mentioned. Steam or diesel, your choice. And get a few more freight cars. I'd stick with buying new ones at the moment, there's always hundreds of them on eBay but they are all pigs in a poke with all kinds of issues that you don't know about yet. When you eventually do start wanting those cars, there's a bunch of people here to help you, myself, Jeffrey Ward, Terry Tonges and other regulars, who are here all the time.

Those two train sets come with an oval of the Bach Man's EZ track. There are more various pieces available to expand your layout beyond the oval that comes with the set. And there are books with track plans using that track along with lists of what pieces you need. I used that track on my mainline when I first built my present layout 17 years ago. It's still there, although painted and covered in ballast now, and it's working fine. I did find that it did not fit well with the desired geometry of my yards and sidings, so I used other brands of track there.

Good luck and please report back as you progress.

trainman203 · April 14, 2023, 06:43:13 PM

I'm not much help because I have never used powered track switch machines on any Railroad I've ever had. I've always held the opinion that manual track switches let you be the switchman.

Gsb200im · April 15, 2023, 01:32:20 AM

Does DCC require more than one power/Command Plus to terminal connection?

trainman203 · April 15, 2023, 10:19:17 AM

At its most basic on the smallest layouts, DCC requires only two wires from the power source such as the EZ command, one for reach rail. I'm no electrician, but since DCC supplies around 14 V AC to the track, one wire might be called hot and the other neutral, but someone more knowledgeable please correct me on that.

Larger layouts can require more refinements of power distribution, please see books on DCC for those.

trainman203 · April 15, 2023, 10:22:02 AM

It has been a very long time since I ran a layout using EZ command. Remote control track switches have power requirements not related to actual track power. I do not recall if the EZ command has separate outputs for such accessorys. Someone please elaborate on this.

Len · April 15, 2023, 08:49:33 PM

EZ-Command does not have any accessory power outputs. For remote control switches, a 14-16V AC or DC "wall-wart", rated at least 1 amp, power supply will work.

Len

NerdlyNate · April 18, 2023, 02:47:59 PM

So after purchasing the Bachmann 45 piece track expansion, I'm not having any success operating the 4 turnouts that came with it. I'm powering the switch from the power derailer track that I use to connect the EZ command controller, and I know it has voltage to it. The expansion pack came with an additional derailer/power piece. When I operate the switch for the turnout, I get no movement, just a quiet buzzing sound from the turnout. I'm at a loss here. Calls/emails to Bachmann have not resolved the issue. It seems like you can only get info on returns or links to online documentation, but no real "how do I" type assistance.

Quote from: trainman203 on April 15, 2023, 10:22:02 AMIt has been a very long time since I ran a layout using EZ command. Remote control track switches have power requirements not related to actual track power. I do not recall if the EZ command has separate outputs for such accessorys. Someone please elaborate on this.

willis · April 18, 2023, 08:08:28 PM

You cannot power the switches from the EZ command control.
Like Len said, you need separate power supply. as in a (wall wart)
Willis.

jward · April 19, 2023, 11:13:13 AM

Quote from: NerdlyNate on April 18, 2023, 02:47:59 PMSo after purchasing the Bachmann 45 piece track expansion, I'm not having any success operating the 4 turnouts that came with it. I'm powering the switch from the power derailer track that I use to connect the EZ command controller, and I know it has voltage to it. The expansion pack came with an additional derailer/power piece. When I operate the switch for the turnout, I get no movement, just a quiet buzzing sound from the turnout. I'm at a loss here. Calls/emails to Bachmann have not resolved the issue. It seems like you can only get info on returns or links to online documentation, but no real "how do I" type assistance.

This question has been answered on this forum many times. I recently answered it in another thread.

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