Rich

You're the man.  That was the problem.  I should have, but didn't know one side of the wheel set was insulated.  I've realigned things and now the locomotive works fine.  Thank you.

I didn't remove the wheel sets; only the wheels themselves.  Granted I didn't pay attention to which wheel went where or how.  Are you saying the metal weeks have an insulated side?  My eye sight isn't that good so perhaps I missed that.  If that's what you're saying, I'll look more closely and make certain the wheels all are uniform as to sides.

Steam Locomotive:  HO Bachmann 85104; Main Central #83 Spectrum® HO Scale Richmond Modern 4-4-0 Locomotive; DCC & sound installed.

Problem:  Intermittent operation - i.e., hesitated as if poor contact with track.  Note:  Diesel locomotives run without any hesitation.

Background:  I checked and some of the contacts touching the wheels on the trailing coal unit were not touching.  I lightly adjusted them to have them all make contact.  The engine now makes sound, but the Bachmann EZ Command Digital Command Control System DCC lights blink and the unit won't move.  I unplugged the EZ Command, let it sit, then replugged in the power, but it still blinks.  I can lift up the coal unit and the lights stop blinking, but when I lower it back down, the blinking starts up again.  It seems as if something is shorting out - though ALL I did was make certain the three little contacts on each of the four metal wheels touched.

Question:  Okay - what did I do wrong and more particularly, how do I fix it?

Thanks.

Okay - thank you all for very sage advice.  In sum, I've decided to go with unplugging the DCC system and using a straight DC system with the DC Thomas & Friends.  That way, there should be no problem with frying the DC engine or doing harm to the Bachmann E-Z DCC controller.  When I'm playing, I'll unhook the DC and go with the DCC, etc.

Thanks again.

I have an adult layout using the Bachmann EZ Command DCC.  I wish to purchase a couple of Thomas & Friends engines/rolling stock so my very young grandchildren can enjoy it as well. I currently have the DCC hooked to the typical Bachmann connector.  Two questions:  

(1) can I assume I can use the DC Thomas & Friends with the EZ Command DCC unit; and

(2) how do I connect to the Bachmann track plug (DC)?  

Steam Engine:  Bachmann 85104; Main Central #83 Spectrum® HO Scale Richmond Modern 4-4-0 Locomotive; DCC sound installed.

The unit came with a "coal" insert already installed on the tender.  Along with the unit came what appears to be a replacement "wood" insert for the top of the tender.  My eyes are not that great, but it appears you remove two screws (damned small), then lift out the coal insert and install the wood insert.  This was an expensive toy, so I don't want to begin removing parts only to find I can't get things back together.

So, how do you remove the old coal tender top and install the wood one?

Thanks.

Layout:  4' x 8'    150-200 lbs

Question:  Anyone who is using a layout lifting system (winch, etc.) I would appreciate advice on a type/brand/store/etc. 

I hope to pay $50-125 for a winch that can raise AND lower my layout in the garage.

I'm building a small 4x8 layout and while I've not focused on any particular ERA (20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.) I've decided to reformat the layout so it focuses on a particular ERA - probably 1930-1950, but frankly, have no idea how to determine which locomotive/engine/rolling stock comes from that particular ERA.  The structures, people and cars typically can be identified, but not the locomotives, etc.

Can you help?  Are there any websites for HO scale that focuses on ERAs?

Where can a person locate specific information about older HO Scale cars/engines/locomotives?  Specifically:

Full Sized/Real World

1.  Dates/history of the unit/car/engine/locomotive

HO Scale Information

2.  Service Type (e.g., freight, passenger, MOW (whatever that is)
3.  Reporting Mark
4.  Road Number (if not on the unit); AAR Code, etc.

I've acquired several "new" old units (e.g., Virginian (VGN) 2610) Hopper 344C apparently by Tyco), BN 100024 (box car) again, apparently by Tyco, etc.  Surely, there's some specific www site or book. 

How do you turn on (activate) the small lights in layout structures and other structures (e.g., signals, etc.) using the Bachmann E-Z Command® Digital Command Control System Controller?

I know know what a Tortoise Machine is (new to me) and that it can be used to drive a turnout (switch or switches with more than one).  Can a Bachmann Digital Command (DCC) be the power source?  If so, how do you connect the Bachmann power to the Tortoise?  There's only a finite number of connectors I can find: (1) an I/O Port; (2) to track; (3) 16v input; and (4) from DC controller.  I've looked at the schematic for the Tortoise, but don't understand how the Bachmann can be the source of the power.

I'm convinced (absent someone here suggesting otherwise) that the way to upgrade the three turnouts on my layout is to purchase the DCC Bachmann turnouts.  Okay, so far so good, but a problem arises (at least in my mind).  Since I'm using the Bachmann Digital Command Control, how do I know which switch is in what position, other than simply remembering?  My three switches are inside tunnels or other locations where I cannot readily see them. 

I know the larger layouts have elaborate schematics with lights and such.  But, with the DCC Digital, how do you keep on top of things?  Surely, there is a simple method that escapes me.

Thank you Hunt. 

Before purchasing the turnouts I was looking for some idea how to use the controller with them.  I had thought of using Atlas or some other unit, but as far as I can tell, all non-Bachmann turnouts require wiring, extra units, etc.  whereas Bachmann is all-in-one.  Thanks for the heads up.

How do you program/use the E-Z Command® Digital Command Control System (No. 44902) with Bachmann DCC turnouts?

Question: Is there a track tester that determines such things as: (1) dirty track; (2) too much resistance from bad/old track; and (3) open track. etc.?  I've learned of the "coin (quarter) test" approach, but surely there's something more - like a small handheld tester/meter (other than an Ohmmeter).

Background: I acquired a used layout. I've recently framed the layout and set up a pulley system in my garage to enjoy. This morning, after ordering and receiving a Backmann E-Z Controller Digital Command Control System (Bachmann No. 44902) I set the E-Z Controller up and the using a Bachmann connector track spliced into what appears to be Atlas type track, ran a DCC Diesel locomotive on the track. The track seems to work fine, except for the following:

a. At some points on the track, the locomotive runs in a halting fashion- like the power is less reliable at various locations around the track.
b. The locomotive stops at times on the track, even though other times, the engine runs through that same area without any problem.

In my inexperienced judgment, the problem lies with the track and not the controller or locomotive - but what do I know. Surely, there's some unit/tool/instrument that can be used to check out each section of the track to ensure full power is running through it evenly (or at all).

So, in short, is there such a unit/tool/instrument?