Quote from: jward on August 10, 2023, 09:29:55 PMIt can be done but you need the proper tools. You can't just drop a knuckle coupler in place of the horn hook. Ideally, you'd mount the new coupler in a draft gear box to the car's underframe. But it's also possible to truck mount them using adapters. I wouldn't do this, but others have.

In the future, you may want to look for cars with the knuckle couplers. They are usually much higher quality than the one you are trying to convert.

Thanks Jeff, what is a "draft gear box" ?

I picked up an older HO Bachmann coal car recently, and it's coupler doesn't match my recent Bachmann set. It has the coupler as part of the truck assy, whereas my current stock has a separate coupler attachment, not connected to the truck assy. Is it possible to modify the old stock to work?

Quote from: Desert Rose on June 20, 2023, 10:58:11 PM

Track Planning software:

AnyRail

https://www.anyrail.com/en

You can make any type of layout with this software. I used this for the current layout using E-Z Track.

Where can I find that book on the Bachmann site? Searching isn't finding it
Thanks

I was wondering if anyone has come up with other layouts for this track pack than what's shown on the box? I've tried using the SCARM program, but haven't come up with any alternates.

thanks!

Thanks, so this is all new to me. I just figured if the E-Z Command® Control Center would power the track, it should power the turnouts. I have been communicating with Bachmann via email, and they said that the turnouts aren't controlled by DCC and need their own power.

So next question: what kind of power supply do I need to control my turnouts?

Quote from: Terry Toenges on April 18, 2023, 11:25:37 PMI never thought about powering turnouts that way. Now that you have tried it, I see it doesn't work but I give you an "A" for the creative thinking.

So I visited my local hobby store today with my turnout and wiring and verified it does indeed work. So the issue must be that the EZ Command controller isn't putting enough voltage out? They of course had a transformer to run power to my tunout.

I wouldn't think powering a turnout would take that much voltage?

Quote from: NerdlyNate on April 18, 2023, 02:33:31 PMSo after figuring out how to get power to the turnouts, all I get is a quiet buzzing from the turnout when using the supplied switch, no actually movement. I don't think all 4 new turnouts would have the same issue.
Any ideas?

So after purchasing the Bachmann 45 piece track expansion, I'm not having any success operating the 4 turnouts that came with it. I'm powering the switch from the power derailer track that I use to connect the EZ command controller, and I know it has voltage to it. The expansion pack came with an additional derailer/power piece. When I operate the switch for the turnout, I get no movement, just a quiet buzzing sound from the turnout. I'm at a loss here. Calls/emails to Bachmann have not resolved the issue. It seems like you can only get info on returns or links to online documentation, but no real "how do I" type assistance.

Quote from: trainman203 on April 15, 2023, 10:22:02 AMIt has been a very long time since I ran a layout using EZ command.  Remote control track switches have power requirements not related to actual track power. I do not recall if the EZ command has separate outputs for such accessorys. Someone please elaborate on this.

So after figuring out how to get power to the turnouts, all I get is a quiet buzzing from the turnout when using the supplied switch, no actually movement. I don't think all 4 new turnouts would have the same issue.
Any ideas?

Quote from: NerdlyNate on April 14, 2023, 12:59:20 PMI think I see the issue, I just need to get the power to the switch, but since I have the EZ command controller, I have no extra terminals on it, and to get to the powered derailer I would need a different connector.

Quote from: Yard Master on April 12, 2023, 08:48:09 AMHi Nate,

Out of the box, the turnouts in the E-Z Track First Railroad Track Pack are manual and not DCC compatible. However, you can convert your manual turnouts to DCC with the Trackside Turnout Decoder or the DCC Control Box with Turnout Decoder, sold separately.

There should be green wires included in the box to connect the manual turnouts to the control boxes. The red wire connects the terminal rerailer track to your speed controller (not included.)

Thanks Trainman!
I did just purchase the Expanded track set and am planning on a 4x8 layout, haven't built the table yet.
Trying to figure out how to connect my switch power for the turnouts since the included red wires don't have a connector that fits into my powered derailer, and since I have the EZ command controller, it only has the one power plug, No terminals. Am I missing something simple here?

thanks!

Quote from: trainman203 on March 01, 2023, 09:54:10 AMNate, there are dozens of websites and YouTube videos about how to build a 4 x 8 model railroad table, how to put foam insulation on it, etc. And a lot more about beginning with model railroading in general. I wish all that had been around when I started. It will help you avoid a lot of mistakes that the rest of us made in the past. Just start searching on YouTube. You'll be astounded at how much stuff there is there. Do be advised, though, there are often several different ways to do a particular task, and a different video and opinion 😱😂 for each one. Just spend a few evenings exploring those.

If it were me, and I was just getting started today, I'd get one of those two train sets that the Bach Man mentioned. Steam or diesel, your choice. And get a few more freight cars. I'd stick with buying new ones at the moment, there's always hundreds of them on eBay but they are all pigs in a poke with all kinds of issues that you don't know about yet.  When you eventually do start wanting those cars, there's a bunch of people here to help you, myself, Jeffrey Ward, Terry Tonges and other regulars, who are here all the time.

Those two train sets come with an oval of the Bach Man's EZ track.  There are more various pieces available to expand your layout beyond the oval that comes with the set.  And there are books with track plans using that track along with lists of what pieces you need. I used that track on my mainline when I first built my present layout 17 years ago. It's still there, although painted and covered in ballast now, and it's working fine. I did find that it did not fit well with the desired geometry of my yards and sidings, so I used other brands of track there.

Good luck and please report back as you progress.

I think I see the issue, I just need to get the power to the switch, but since I have the EZ command controller, I have no extra terminals on it, and to get to the powered derailer I would need a different connector.

Quote from: Yard Master on April 12, 2023, 08:48:09 AMHi Nate,

Out of the box, the turnouts in the E-Z Track First Railroad Track Pack are manual and not DCC compatible. However, you can convert your manual turnouts to DCC with the Trackside Turnout Decoder or the DCC Control Box with Turnout Decoder, sold separately.

There should be green wires included in the box to connect the manual turnouts to the control boxes. The red wire connects the terminal rerailer track to your speed controller (not included.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X3nGvV7Rlr7EEGYufhrsjeUpGrPWO0DV/view?usp=share_link

Thanks for the response Jeffrey. The switch control appears to be a simple slide switch one direction or the other, not a momentary switch. They have this label: TRAIN+PCB32 Rev:A 2019/10/11.  It has connectors on 3 sides, each end has two terminals, and one side has three terminals. There are green wires coming from the turnout. The turnouts are labeled: H Manual Switch Left/Right and have a 3 conductor wire with a female connector on the end. I've tried to attach a photo here but:  The upload directory is full. Please contact an administrator about this problem. 0.2 MB.

I purchased the Bachmann EZ Track Pack 45 piece Model: 44596, after unpacking it, I've found the instructions are sparse at best. There are red and gray wires with connectors, and switches for the turnouts, but no directions on how to wire the turnouts. I'm assuming the turnouts are manual and not DCC capable. I haven't been very impressed with Bachmann literature so far, having purchased the Thunder Chief set initially.

Any help or links to online support articles would be greatly appreciated.

Found the answer in a post here from 2009! Hard to believe the newly bought manual is still incorrect.
https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,8893.msg73301.html#msg73301

Here's the correct sequence (thanks to Yampa Bob):

Press and Hold the default address button.(#3 for a new locomotive or newly installed decoder)
Press and Release the stop button.
Release the default address button.
Press and release the desired address button. (for example #1)(loco will move slightly)
Press and release the stop button. (to exit program mode)

I'm trying to set my new Bachman loco to use a different ID than 3.
I've followed the directions, several times, but it won't change from ID 3 for me.

thanks