This is great news. 
The last train club I visited (back in 2022) had locomotives idling on opposite ends of the layout (it was a very large layout, maybe 25 ft from one idling locomotive to the other idling one).  Didn't know that you could stop the idling sound after a certain period of time.  Thought all locomotives went into idle mode when placed on the track.  Probably reason why I only have one DCC with sound locomotive currently.  My Bachmann controller doesn't have a function to have it stop after a period of time.  It's basically on or off. 

First make sure that the EZ track connections to the DCC switch track are made up correctly.
The DCC crossover as you may already know has two connection points for the movable section of the track.
This track one movable section is broken, rivet failed
You can get more details from this forum message:
_{"EZ Track turnouts NO power on inside rail" Started by wfletcher, February 16, 2023, 10:56:40 AM}

In the image (see above), that movable section may not be electrically connected to the fixed portion of the track via the rivet.  Either both rivets or one rivet is not passing current to the movable section of the track.   Using a voltmeter, you may be able to determine if voltage is applied to the movable section.  Another way is to test the resistance of the movable connection to the fixed connection.  A high resistance or even a little resistance other than zero resistance indicates an issue with the movable section of the track.   Note that this is just one possible issue with the switch track.  Other problems could be dirty track, frog issue due to a long locomotive, warped rails causing the locomotive wheels not making rail contact, to name a few.

Hope this helps.

QuoteHas anyone else noticed this, or does anyone know if there is an expected difference of quality in the track which comes with starter kits vs. purchased track? Or, was there a change in the manufacturing process at some point?

From what I read (up to #5), I couldn't conclude that your question was answered.  So, for what's it's worth, here's my answer.
A little background is in order.  I first started my track with Atlas, when Bachmann came out with their EZ-track, I fell in love with it.  Now all of my track is EZ track, including all switches and turnouts. (Exception that I will be using a three-way switch not by Bachmann in the near future.  Bachmann doesn't make a three-way switch).    I use Atlas (previously Bachmann used Atlas track too, in my opinion) for short connections when Bachmann EZ doesn't quite fit the way I want my layout to function.  I have both the Steel and Nickel-Silver. 
Now to answer your question. 
The black Steel track I haven't seen any issues with quality, only that the black spring connectors will fail (break) more often than the grey Nickel-Silver connectors.  I don't have a root cause or contributing factor for that occurrence, but that's my experience.  I've bought both the starter kits and the purchased track via packages and have not noticed any observable differences.   I did have one exception, that I haven't been able to pin down.  On one of my grey Nickel-Silver switches, the rivet broke, there was no rust on the rivet, but it seems to have been an incomplete rivet before it was installed onto the track.  That's my only event that I can safely say was a problem.   Before it totally failed, I thought it was a frog issued in the track.

If there was a change in the manufacturing process, only Bachmann can answer that.

Hope this helps.

By the way, having the sound of the track vibrate and be noisy isn't an issue with my layout.  I don't use plywood.  All of my layout is on foam , and I do not tie down the EZ track to the foam except in curves.  To me, that's the plus behind the EZ track, all of the track will move if you move the track.  It stays together pretty well.  As for the sound, I believe the foam that I use absorbs most if not all of the track noise, if any.  I'm sure the wood/plywood doesn't absorb track noise as well as foam. 

First off, additional information is required in order to safely answer your question.
1.  What is the voltage requirements of the billboard(s)? 
2.  Are you expecting to connect power from the rails or separate power (recommended).

Note that different manufacturers of billboards will have different specifications on how to power/light them. 

And yes, DCC is not applicable from the information you provided.

This is great information but here's a word of wisdom.  Since you have one locomotive with only DCC, it's only a matter of time before you will want to add another locomotive.  Therefore, think about adding another locomotive that already has DCC and sound.  It could be the same locomotive or you might want to shake things up a bit by obtaining a different locomotive.  Just note that that question of wanting two locomotives will eventually emerge whether or not your train layout is large or small.    This will save you in the long run. 

This was observed and quoted in a prior forum message and I took it to heart. 

QuoteQuote: ...You model a steam shortline so you don't have to deal with a room full of diesels idling, including those on the other end of the railroad that is supposed to be a hundred miles away.  The cumulative effect can be maddening, and certainly doesn't sound like a real railroad anymore.  A little sound goes a long way. 

This was good advice to me, so I responded that I kinda like the idea of having only a few engines with sound, since all of my layout will be in the same room.  Like it was stated "...having to deal with a room full of steam locomotives (diesels in my case) idling, including those on the other end of the railroad, i.e., across the 16 x 20 ft room (layout) that is supposed to be a hundred miles away" makes sense to me.  Let alone the added cost of the high price sound decoders. 

In short, unless you really want to delve into sound installation with your one locomotive, really give it a thought to just buying another locomotive already equipped with DCC and sound.

Hope that helps.

There needs to be a clarification made.   The steamers, I agree moved us from horse and carriages to the modern era of diesels.   That's a fact of history, that cannot be downplayed.  (That's why the steam engines will be in my model museum, I'd like to keep that side of history on my modern layout). 
It's a fact, that steam engines have lots of moving parts that one can see, whereas diesels, the only moving parts visible are the wheels.   Steamers have that high pitch sound of the steam escaping, where the diesels have that deep pitch moan (causing me to say that there's pin-up power there).
A diesel like the D9 or D11 caterpillar bulldozer or better yet any of the modern diesel locomotives around today have that deep sound that vibrates your body to the bone.  The sounds of those basically fascinate me, then watch them actually move mountains of train cars, or tons of overburden, ...too cool.    I shouldn't divulge this, but I also love the diesel exhaust smell, which steamers don't have.  (By the way, diesel or natural gas buses though are a nasty smell).     

The closest that I've gotten to steamers (besides the model versions) is the steam engine at Disneyland, when we took the kids to the Grand Canyon and the one that (don't know if its's still in service) steamer around Stone Mountain in Georgia.  Frankly, I envy those who have been able to ride up front in the cab of a steamer.  I've only been in the cabs of diesel locomotives, and frankly would have loved to have been able to drive one.  The only Diesels I've actually driven/operate are the earthmovers, mining equipment, and diesel power generators.

As for modern diesel music, this is my inspiration;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKCSaLrCk6A    and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUK8emiWabU

lastly, my favorite...._{(this is not an endorsement, I like the music, which the jingle does not have a complete version yet)}.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFU9e1aC74c

Quote...The aura and romance of the railroad went away with them.  And it's pretty obvious that I'm still crying for them.

As with any change there comes something new.  The railroads romance is still there, as indicated in the last u-tube link (above).   I'll probably be where you are when diesel locomotives are removed and the entire locomotive is powered from batteries or solar panels.

So until then, keep on steaming or dieseling!

Good info.
...But what are the 31-inch wheels for and what do they normally fit.  Way back when I was younger, I brought these 31-inch wheels (still in their unlabeled package) to place on my train cars (they are metal wheels).  I bought them thinking they were the freight car versions along with 36-inch wheels also. 

QuoteWere you a locomotive engineer?

No, but I worked closely with Diesel engineers, locomotive mechanics, electrical technicians, I&C technicians, civil engineers, Miners, electrical, electronic and nuclear engineers, etc.  Basically, I was the Facility/System engineer making sure that logistics, parts, planning, scheduling, operations, safety, all worked as planned.  Not to mention the reliability, QA, and inventory folks who always presented the headache... thank goodness I'm retired now. 

My model railroad, will have all of the above where, I'll be the quintessential goto guy and have the final say on where the railroad will go, where the mining will go, where the nuclear plant will reside, what electrical power will be used, where the farm is located, how the town/city is laid out, where the roads go, etc.  I think you get the picture.   I love diesels they're needed to build anything large.  Steamers well...you know that answer.

QuoteIs there an easy way to tell if they are DCC equipped?

That's one of the good issues that I like about Bachmann.  If the locomotive is DCC, Bachmann stamps on the bottom of the fuel tank "DCC on board" indicating that the locomotive has DCC.   

Does anyone have any history on the Bachmann B-line?   I ran across several unique construction vehicles, supposedly 1/87 scale, that has the Bachmann label.   I've never heard of these and did a search on this forum and found no information regarding the "B-line of vehicles.

Then I did a search on "Google" and found this:  "Bachmann sold at least two series of die-cast models made by Shinsei Kogyo under their B-line label.  Shinsei's H.O. Haulers were sold as B-line Truckin' models, the Shinsei Mini Power models as B-line Cranes.  _{(I will provide the link to this info if requested, don't want to infringe (I believe) upon this forums code of conduct).}

Anyone have any additional history? 

Quote...I don't recall any Railroaders feeling that dedicated to diesel engines.

Well..., may I add that you just found one.  I love diesels, never worked on any, but worked around them from nuclear plants, power stations, to salt mines, long haulers, construction equipment and ships.  To me, there're magnificent pieces of equipment (with the exception of car/pickup trucks).   
From 8 cylinders to 32 cylinder engines.  They may probably support global warming, but I expect to be pushing daisies before the world removes them.

If I got my history correct, the shoebox design came from the steamers cab layout.
So, please add 1 railroader to your new list of railroaders dedicated to diesel engines.   

From my experience, if the locomotive is labeled "DCC ready" it may or may not have a "dummy plug" installed to allow DC operation.  If the Locomotive is labeled "DCC installed" then of course it's DCC compliant.

What I don't know is if there is no "dummy plug" installed where the decoder should be, will the locomotive still operate on DC.  In other words, the location where the decoder (8, 12 or 22 pin) should be is empty will the locomotive still operate in DC?

This might help in determining the setup of the engine (locomotive) you have.

Please let us know what you found out about your train set, that is, the culprit that caused the problem or what you did to resolve it.  Reason: I have the old DCC controllers and was contemplating purchasing the EZ Command Plus.

I'm glad you all like steamers, cause to me, they all look like a hot water tank on wheels.  

Interesting,

Quote...Unpowered locomotives and the PB Unpowered locomotives as sound wagons....

I like the idea of using the dummy locomotives as sound makers.  I run into trouble with this idea due to the fact that my dummy locomotives do not have trucks with electrical pickups.  This would incur that I find electrical pickup trucks for the dummies.  I have a dummy loco that does have a headlight that lights, so I will look into that to see if adding sound will work.

QuoteIn theory, dummies should be considerably cheaper as they can be made with a plastic frame, no motor, nor electronics, and lightweight units are cheaper to ship.

I find that in reality, the dummies I've seen for sale, are less expensive, but still more costly than I would be willing to pay for.

Quote...dummies can have a place on the layout.  They make good stand ins sitting around a turntable, or in a long line of stored locomotives on one of your yard tracks.

This makes me think it's time to sale some of my dummy locomotives.  Over these many years, I've collected quite a few DCC locomotives.  I guess having a few sitting around to collect dust or figure a way to get them into the museum with the steamers might just work.   My vision is not to become a collector where some locos and/or cars, sit on a shelf or in a box.   I'd like all of them to be on the layout, even the junk ones that should be trashed.