Non DCC turnouts work just fine with DCC power flowing through their rails, most of the ones on my DCC layout are non DCC.

However, I've never heard of a DCC system that provides power for electrically switched turnouts.  A cheap analog speed controller with accessory terminals or 12-16v 'wall wart' will do the job though.

In addition to controlling sound, DCC decoders can be programmed to have specific starting voltages, lower top speeds, acceleration rates, and more.

In addition to making the locomotive move more prototypically, you can use it to tweak two locomotives to operate identically to double-head with less strain.

I would advise DCC since there's far more locomotive options available.

There's a computer program called DecoderPro (Part of the Java Model Railroad Interface suite) that lets you control DCC locomotives from a smartphone using your home network's WiFi.

DecoderPro also makes programming locomotives much easier with a point-and-click computer interface rather than using a throttle to program them.

If it is for 'everyone', I vote that the Climax, Shay, and Rail Truck get reruns with improved gears in addition to the 0-4-0 Porters.

Mr. Bach Man, I'm looking to acquire a 0-4-0 Porter but they're almost impossible to find.

What would be needed to get them another production run?

(A run with sound pre-installed would be awesome)

Perhaps the problem is in the wires, do you have a continuity tester?

Are the rail joiners connected properly? Uneven track can be the problem.

The track that comes with Hawthorne Village trains has roadbed that snaps together easily even if the rail joiners slide under the rails of the adjoining segment.

Running your finger across each junction will let you know if it needs to be redone.


If all is well track-wise, you can try bending the engine's blade upward so it will be less likely to slide down the coal car's spike.

Is the cable connected to the rerailer properly?

I've seen it slide under or over the terminals on my layout before.


Or perhaps the rerailer is faulty, can you connect the wires directly to the rails?

If you're referring to the upcoming one in Bachmann's Webstore, It has a 'Dual Mode' decoder, which works in DC mode and DCC mode.

Quote from: Cxs21 on November 24, 2018, 08:31:22 PM
No Terry t. I don't have separate power to the loop itself,I have a 100watt power brick that supply the power to the whole track layout.don't you think that should be enouhg? I don't have my turnouts wired up to power should I do that? Ps my layout is only 6x8.

The power should be going to the mainline, which then feeds the reverse loop module, which powers the isolated area of the reverse loop

Perhaps the mainline's power connector is too far from the loop and suffering from voltage drop?

Is it possible that one of the power connectors went over or under the connectors?  I've had that happen on my layout.

A simple test of the loop would be to disconnect the loop module and power it from the mainline's power supply and see if the locomotive makes it all the way around.

Can you link us to a picture of your configuration?

Are the rails clean and making good connections?  Try pinching the joiners with pliers for a tighter fit.

How far beyond the gap does the locomotive go?

As I recall, my old E-Z Command came with two cables, one for E-Z Track and another with bare wires at the end that you can splice into the Atlas ones.

If that's no longer the case, you can get the wire with bare ends from Bachmann here:  https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=8411

(or you could cut off the E-Z Connector and splice its cable's wires onto your layout)

I use that system, it works just fine with sound locos.