You should name the seller and let the individual decide whether or not they would buy from that seller.In my rather short term of buying on ebay I have found 3 excellent sellers of Bachmann product.I have also discovered some very deceitful individuals.Buy from an authorized Bachmann dealer.Some resellers buy from reputable Bachmann dealers and then sell at a higher price to the unsuspecting buyer.Ebay has lots of sellers who fail to list faults with product as required.I am from Australia and sending the product back is not an option because of the high freight costs. I would gladly sell the Chinese firecrackers to some US and Australian individuals but in the instructions I would not tell them to 'retire' after lighting the fuse.Unfortunately ebay does nothing about correct listing of model railroad products.Each should have a proforma document to be completed in full before the listing can proceed.Some listings are pathetic and photographs are usually designed to hide the imperfections they are meant to list.My dealings with most used sellers have led me to buy only new.Even so called modellers have sold me their rubbish and a new BLI with Paragon II sound came in a pathetically damaged box.The photo only showed the good parts.I haven't used it yet but I am expecting problems as the seller could not even get the box right.Just a deceitful, conniving, untrustworthy individual who should be eliminated from the hobby.He has quite a lot of companions who have nothing of which to be proud.Hopefully some 'Newbies' read this and stick with reputable dealers only.Buying used has probably cost me $1000 worth to throw in the bin and a mistrust of many fellow human beings.Apologies for the rant.Bachmann responded to my email and replaced an item for me at no cost whatsoever.They accepted my word for the failed power supply and I had a replacement in Sydney in ten days.Looks like you have been deceived and sold used product for new.Send me a private message.
Keep on smiling!The vast majority of people are fantastic.
BURTO

Thanks Guys for your great replies.An email to service yesterday received an immediate response.Laura is sending a new power supply at no cost to me.I give Bachmann 200/100 for such a rapid and thoughtful response.They certainly know how to promote their business and receive customer recommendations.
Fortunately I spoke to Richard in Western Australia on Friday and he is an invaluable Australian source of modelrailroading information.They also have many international customers.I purchased the US supplied EZ Command station because of the huge price advantage,despite the postage cost.Having programmed only 3 locomotives I'm ready to move up a step.My 5yo grandson is very capable with the controllers and delights in running them very slowly.He also delights even more as he sends one of my Model Power trains at break neck speed around a loop.He has only dropped a couple to date so I have a nice Airfix steam engine needing an inventive repair.Meanwhile,I'll keep reading about rectifiers,smoothing and regulating etc.How can I ever get bored?
On postage costs I had a friend bring used items from the UK last year for zilch.I have 22lbs coming from the US at present for $143 and 21 items came from the US last year for $146.The original charge was $200 from a store, and when I bucked and kicked a bit  I received an immediate refund of $40.I still do not know how much handling I payed as they did online postage and no costs were revealed.
Regards,
BURTO

Have approached service about the overheating without shutdown, and failing to work the next evening.My stepdown transformer has produced no load voltages of 133V and 135V AC.Maybe the plugpack is not tolerant of an a extra 1
or 13 volts AC.Australian power supply is apparently known to spike at as much as 260VAC.One would think they might carry overvoltage protection and thermal protection.However,I think a lot of AC/AC plug packs are unregulated
and fall into the cheaper category.And in most cases, one gets what is payed for.
The US line voltage might be more sympathetic with these aptly named'warts'.
Regards
Burto                                                                                                     

I'll second that Fred!Bring on the production lists just like Hornby.
BURTO

Hello to all those who proceed to give advice without reading what the enquirer wants.It has me beaten as to why some of you participate on the Bachmann Forum when your talk seems to promote other systems.I suggest you change your allegiance to the NCE and Digitrax Forums.There is heaps to read and improve your technical qualifications on these other products.I suggest you learn more about the Dynamis.Lenz is no slouch in the DCC stakes.So
much for my dollars worth,AU or US.
Burto

Hi Jim,
Thanks very much for your learned reply.I picked this possibility up through reading from  experienced and professional modellers.I need a tech expert to have a look inside the EZ Command unless the Bach- Man can tell me within his/her professional limitations.I do appreciate the need for businesses to be profitable.I might use it for a while with the supplied plug pack and have a 'geek' inside.The 'Model Geeks' can probably tell me.
Thanks again for your valuable contributions.
Burto (au)

Based on reading, I believe I might be able to operate my EZ command with a good DC regulated power supply.Any help on this would be appreciated.I have a stepdown transformer for use in Australia but a quality DC supply may be superior to the 16V AC plug pack included. Looking forward to any advice.
  Burto   au
' Keep smiling and be thankful for small mercies,for lots of small ones make up a big one.'

I suggest you buy a cheap soldering iron ( low wattage) and practice a little bit of soldering, (refer to numerous websites on this topic).Drill a small hole through your EZ track base ,on the outside of each rail ,and then through your baseboard, or wherever, to connect wires to your Bachmann Controller.Bingo!you're ready to go!Oh!Don't forget to solder the wires to the track.I bought some joiners with wire attached to each, but doubt if I'll ever use them.With a bit of effort you could cut away some track bed and attach a universal power clip which slips under and onto the two rails, with clip devices to accept the wires.
  Keep 'Puffing' and have lots of fun,
  Burto

Hi PapaDiesel,
Have just asked questions about same locos it would appear.I have one,#86020 Santa Fe Warbonnet.
Have your locos got black coloured flywheels like mine,no windshield wipers but two occupants.Mine has split frame in shiny alloy.A screw has been placed in the RH and LH front of frame to pick up power to the decoder installed by eBay dealer.I do not think these screws are original.Please advise if you can.Mine has a light board inside.Please see post by Burto end of March.

I have used a thicknesser and planer to make a timber profile to match the EZ track road bed.This is quick and curves can be cut with selected saws.You can then join flex track or straights etc no problems.Codes 100 and 83 join easily as the difference is minute.With interlocking sections of differing profiles,cut where necessary,join track and screw in place whilst small beads of silicone set.Ballast the lot and 'Bingo',noone will know.

I recently reinvented myself by reading extensively on model railroads.About thirty years ago I had a few DC locos' for my boys'.They were forgotten until I pulled them out for my 5yo grandson.I became interested and have learnt a little about DC and DCC during reading over the past five months.I've purchased lots of locos.freight  cars and scenics in that time,predominantly from the USA.I have become a fan of Bachmann because in all areas it represents true value for money.I have bought some other brands including one with sound.I have heaps of DCC Bachmann locos.I've noticed that some tend to 'bag' items after having  one bad experience.I have ordered a new DC controller with many features and a new Bachmann EZ Command for DCC control.I propose a separate 8'x4' simple DC  layout and a more complex detailed layout for DCC.This decision was made following the extensive reading.If I wish to get involved with club layouts or a huge home layout I will upgrade to the higher powered Digital Control Units, but for now the EZ Command will perform more than I wish to do.I suggest you read widely,weigh up the alternatives and move forward with a system that suits your needs and your budget.Do not listen to those who only make negative comments.
  You can trust Bachmann!Sure can.
  Burto

I find it a bit hard to believe that a good eBay store would be selling an early 90's locomotive in November 2010.I'm not experienced at posting pics but someone from Bachmann should be able to tell me the vintage with black flywheels.Maybe they're steel from some other loco and not shiny brass.Maybe there was a fault in installation but the freight cost was too high to send it back.My kneejerk reaction was to buy a second Conrail Dash 8 with DCC by Bachmann, which is still sitting in the box.
Keep up the good work chaps,
Burto

Thanks guys for the quick replies.I'm sure it is a Sectrum by Bachmann.The Warbonnet,#806 Item#86020 in the narrow
'The Master Railroad Series'.The seller is very reputable.Price was $48.50 plus $40 for installation of DN135 decoder.The loco only managed about 16' of running.
    H860X     01                  TRAIN 27      (Details on light board screwed to inside centre of shell-full length of shell)

     Digitrax cheap decoder has a green wire to one side that has been cut to about 3mm.Looks like the white wire from the front light has become detached.The other two DCC Bachmann locos that ran with it are still going well,albeit the Conrail Dash 8 is very slow.I imagine it will be better with a DCC controller and further run time.I have read about a fix to improve the running of these.I originally purchased the Santa Fe to keep as DC but I'll check for motor insulation etc and put another decoder in it as my first installation attempt.
Keep smiling and
Keep puffing,
Burto

I have recently spent many hours reading about fitting DCC and sound.Do not feel intimidated about doing this, but start with some cheaper DCCdecoders first and graduate to the more expensive sound decoders.Try Bachmann to see if anything is available, and failing that , decoder manufacturers are keen for your business and they will give you all the advice and contacts you need to make this an enjoyable experience.
Keep on smiling and
Keep on puffing
Burto

I purchased a 2-10-2 Bachmann because I like to look at it ,like most of my other Bachmann locos.What?For $80 with a cast iron boiler it is great value for money!Thanks for the tip on alternating 18" and 22" EZ track.My grandson loves my old 2-8-0.Blokes like me enjoy looking at these locos.I revived my interest from the 1970's as a source of diversional therapy.I love it.Reading a the history of Australian and US railroads,and currently about to try installing decoders in my old locos,the challenge is fantastic.
Cheers to all,
Burto
Keep on smiling