Thanks, the reason i was asking is because i am going to try some electronics projects with my son for our layout. We plan to create circuits that will actuate a number of turnouts, activate signaling, and indicate on the control panel the directionality of the line, using a single switch for all. I just needed to know what type of mechanism i will be actuating so i know what type of circuit we need to build.

So it activates off of ac accessory (low current), for a twin coil snap (momentary) if i am understanding you correctly. This is eactly what i need to know as it indicates the correct circuit from the list of options that i was looking at.

Your quick friendly responses are greatly apreciated.

What type of mechanism actuates the switch on an EZ Track Turnout? Is it called a twin coil, or what is it?

TIA

HOTrainlover i believe you need to get a separate power supply to power accessories The EZ Commander is not set up for accessories.

With EZ-Track Turnouts do you power the turnout with DC Accessory or AC Accessory feed?

Prebres, you are correct. This thread started out being about how to extend the power adapter cord for the Digital Commander, and then switched somehow to being about the walkaround companion.

I think the questions to both parts of the thread have been answered nicely.

Strange how threads develop...

Thanks Yampa Bob.

Yes the "B" type uses circuitry to give the voltage a momentary feature, whereas the "A" type uses the pressing in on the switch momentarily to give the voltage.

I am looking to replace my few "A" types with all "B" types.

I will call the service department on monday.

Does Bachmann sell the EZ Track turnout control switches individualy? I did a bit of searching and couldnt find anything.

Some of my EZ Track turnouts came with the nice switch version (on the packaging I think they label as a "B" type control switch) which is just a throw one way or the other. The "B" version has a circuit board inside of it. Others turnouts came with the "A" type switch, which you have to select a side / direction, and then momentarily push down on the switch.

For reasons of symetry and ease of use I want to use all "B" type switches to control my turnouts.

Any suggestions where to find the switches individualy (w/o having to purchase the whole turnout) would be greatly apreciated.

For the walk around companion and its panels, I believe that is standard CAT5 computer network cable. You can get it in various lenghts. You can also make your own lengths from parts available at home depot, radio shack, etc...

I have an E-Z Track LH Crossover and I want to wire it to throw both sides with the operation of one (electrical) switch. I also want to be able to throw 2-3 (track) switches simultaniously with one (electrical) switch.

Is there an electrical switch available that you can plug two (or more) of the little black plugs, from the green wires, into to operate them simultaniously? Or better yet, is there a "Y" adapter for the green wire to splice it and only have to run one wire from the "Y" back to the control/switch panel? Or do I have a lot of splicing ahead of me?

Great. I will add those tools to my list.

I also liked the weight pointer too. The older cars are very light compared to most of the new stuff that I have.

I have a bunnch of rolling stock from the mid 70's to mid 80's. I updated them with MKII couplers but they all seem to run a bit low and get caught up on all of the switches on the layout. They also don't line up that well with my newer rolling stock.

I dont know if I just need to just bend the decoupling wire up a bit to clear the switches? The other thing I was looking at is the old plastic wheels from my older stock compared to the metal ones that are on the newer stock. I didn't want to remove them from my new stuff to compare them. I am wondering if the metal wheels have a larger diamiter than the old plastic ones?

If anyone has any info or suggestions it would be greatly apreciated.

Yes, I LOVE that Tower Hobbies site. As I stated in another post, they have more technical info available in reference to the EZ Track system than BACHMANN does.

I couldn't find any listed anywhere individualy (not that they are not out there but I couldn't find any), but they do make them. If you are willing to get the set you can get them this way:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX7205&P=7

What is a track roller used for?

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/catalog/?sel_category=173&sortOrder=id

Just curious.

Thanks.

I don't understand the difference between EZ Track DCC Switches and regular. I am using the Bachmann DCC Controller and it seems to work my layout/switches (which are regular EZ Track Switches) w/o any problems. I am guessing that there is some advantage?

The only things I can think of is if DCC (which I don't know that much about) can:

• work a reverse loop w/o the moderately complex wiring
• use the DCC controler to actualy actuate the switch rather than having to wire it using the switch privided and regular wires

Once again, I may have answered my own question. I am hoping that some DCC Guru will let me know either way.