Thanks for the info. And, I would assume Bachmann's Spectrum DC transformer is high-quality & could be used to run DCC engines.(?)

I understand a DC/DCC dual decoder engine can also run on an DC transformer with no problems. Question: Is the Bachmann DCC On30 0-4-2 Porter able to run on DC? That is, does it have a dual DC/DCC decoder?

Any plans for Bachmann to produce On30 coal hopper ever again?

Currently, the Soundtraxx TSU-750 decoder is made for Bachmann's DCC ready Shay (including the Climax and others). The speaker (810054) & baffle are purchased separately (but the baffle doesn't fit if the speaker is placed under the installed board on the tender - and isn't really needed since the tender box sort of acts as a baffle). Also, an 8-pin connector (810123, very small) is necessary. The connector must be soldered to 8 color-coded wires (very thin) from the decoder; and, 2 wires are soldered to the speaker.  Be sure to get the correct TSU-750 decoder, there are several different models for Bachmann's On30 loco's. There are instructions on Soundtraxx's site for doing all of this.

Does anyone know if or how the E-Z command unit, or any dcc control unit, can be used to implement either a point-to-point system, or a complete loop with station stops. (I do not mean reverse loops - which can be done with dcc.) I know how to do it with dc, but not dcc. Also, I know it can be done with a dcc engine powered by a dc box. Unlike the E-Z command control unit, a dc power box doesn't mind any control units between itself & the tracks. (Most dc point-to-point & station stop systems connect this way.)

For anyone wanting to add more track to an auto reverse i.e., point-to-point, trolly line (mine is the On30 Xmas set), I've found that it's not necessary to use Bachmann's special auto reverse EZ track: It can be done using regular EZ track. Actually, the only auto reverse track sections necessary are the two track sections with a gap in one of the rails: one that's in the trolly house, and the other which is usually used at the other end of the line, connecting to the bumper section (also not necessary). But what must be done is to connect with a wire at least one of the 2 wires running inside of the one auto reverse track section (in the trolly house) to the same wire inside the end auto reverse section. Just attach the wire to the metal clips on the two sections (of the same rail). All other sections can be regular EZ track.

Is it possible to connect several wires from separate track lines to one DCC EZ controller?

Aztec does sell a ready made On30 track cleaning car, but is at about $125 +

http://www.aztectrains.com/on30trackcleaners.html

Bachmann's HO tank car for cleaning track (I got one for $20) can, without modifications, be used with On30. HO couplers line-up with On30 couplers. Or, get the Walthers HO cleaning car -- it too should be usable with On30. Of course, I only use it while cleaning track since the smaller scale looks weird coupled with an On30 train.

Also, I called the service dept. at Bachmann and they repeated that they do not sell replacement pads, but that they would replace the pad (well worn) if the car can be gotten to them. (Not too much help to anyone not living in the Philadelphia area.) But I find that cleaning the pad regularly with a scrub-sponge wet but without soap keeps it clean & usable.

Mr Bacmann,
The instructions that came with my On30 shay (25660) where generic, not directed to the shay. I've read elsewhere that the B-mann's G gauge shay required special lubricating, so, does the On30 also require the same? (I tried the On30 GUY site mentioned in another thread & it's not online anymore.)

Mr Bachmann - any chanced of ever producing a pre-civil war type train as you have with the HO De Witt Clinton?

I believe you really have to try out different engines on different track radii. I set up a figure-eight loop using Atlas code 100, 15" radius track (for a special small train set I made). Just to see if they worked, I tried my 2-6-6-2 mallet (On30, Bachmann) and it took the curves easily including the crossovers. But my 2-6-0 Mogul (ditto) had trouble:  the front bogies often jumped off on the curves, and the entire engine sometimes completely derailed on the crossovers. I don't know of others had similar results.

I have used both 2-6-0 & 2-6-6-2 engines with reefer and passenger cars on 18' rad. with no trouble.

Since this original posting, I also tried the 2 engines on 15" radius (Atlas code 100) in a figure-8. The mallet ran the course fine, but not the Mogul - its front bogies sometimes jumped off, and it had trouble on the crossovers, sometimes completely derailing.

Yes, I agree that the best advice is to try various distances with your trains - since I used the passenger cars on the inside loop (see earlier posting), their inner hang doesn't effect the other train while the 2-6-6-2 articulated & reefers require less space.

I have a simple Xmas display (4X7) with two parallel loops: a 2-6-0 pulling passenger cars (inside loop) and a 2-6-6-2 pulling reefers (outside loop). I allow only 2 1/2" center to center on both curves and straight-aways. They are close, but to me it seems to have a realistic effect, plus, in a small platform space is a premium. 

An update is necessary about Iron Penguin - it seems they no longer make a point-to-point system. But another company, RR Concepts, does - along with units for other functions like auto reverse loops, station stops, etc., including for both DC & AC trains.
The site is: http://www.rr-concepts.com/
Actually, there are many other companies making similar controlling systems. A simple goggle search will usually find them.