Has anyone tried taking a current productioin RS-3 DCC (no sound) and swaping the shell onto the chassis of the same loco with DCC Sound value?  Can shells be easily swapped???

...please excuse my ignorance, but what is ACT 6006, it sounds good.

chris

...based on the lack of responses, I'm guessing such a product does not exist, at least in a "drop in" form.  Bachmann are you reading this?  Maybe here is a product opportunity.

...I have read about using automatic transmission fluid on the rails to enhance conductivity, but I have never heard of using graphite.  Do you need to run the pencil along all or most of the rails?  I would think that rolling stock wheels would not spread it as well as oil---Is this correct???

Chris

...I like the dry eraser methods and a clean cloth as well, but I wanted to know specifically about cleaner cars.  I don't have one and thought I would give one a try as an additional method to keep track clean.  Mainly wondered what models have worked well for folks, and what has not.

Thanks

I would like to know what type of track cleaning car gives you the most "bang for the buck".  I see cars ranging from $25.00 to $125.00---just considering the quality of the cleaning they do (not the prototype accuracy of the model) what is the best system out there.  I would like to know brand name or dry vs. wet.  Any info would be helpful.

Thanks
Chris

Thank you.  I like the idea of using the zip cord.  I was concerned how to handle all the wire clutter on the narrow shelf.  I am not familiar with the direct feeders (star pattern).  What is this???  I have always used individual wires usually soldered at rail joiners.

Chris

I am planning a narrow shelf layout around a 10'x14' room.  My plan is to use HO EZ track and solder the rail joints.  This is going to be one large loop around the room and will host DCC locomotives using a Bachmann Dynas system (probably).  There will not be any turnouts.  Using EZ track and soldering the joints, do you think it will be necessary to lay a track bus and feeder wires to the track, or would the single connection to the DCC controller be sufficient???

Thanks
Chris

Does anyone know if there are any sound only decoders OR decoders with sound that are currently on the market  that can be intalled in Bachmann's current RS-3 locomotives.  I am looking for a sound only decoder that will install with the factory decoder or a decoder with sound that will replace the factory decoder.  Really hoping for something that is "drop in"

thanks
Chris

...both of my DCC locos are current Bacchman Spectrum products (4-8-2 Mountain and 3-truck shay)  How can I determine, or where can I find out, how many amps these locos draw?

I have a EZ Command DCC system (1 amp), in order to run more than one locomotive, I need to add a power booster, such as the 5 amp booster that bacchman sells, correct???

Can I add a second EZ command controller to this system to allow a second user simultaneous control to a second locomotive?

Chris

Does anybody know what a three truck shay locomotive can tolerate, in terms of a minimum track radius?

Thanks
Chris

I'm planning a 4x8 layout using flex track and the EZ command DCC.  Based on this forum I am going to solder most if not all of my rail joints.  How often do I need to attach feeder wires to my track bus on this size layout?  I found some pre-wired rail joiners with feeder wires at my local hobby shop---are these a good short cut to use?

Thanks for your ideas and suggestions in advance!
Chris

Bachmann "Instructional" DVD's are about the most worthless items for instruction I have encountered.  The only thing worse are the printed instructions and parts diagrams.  I hope the Bacchman is reading this.

Chris

...I went back and checked.  It is an advertisement for EZ track and it is the back cover of Model Railroader Magazine's 2010 Layout Planning issue.