Thanks everyone for the advice. It's still on the "wish list" right now so I'm not in a hurry.
David

I'm looking for recomendations & think most highly of the opinions of the members of this site. I'd like to add a DCC (with sound) diesel engine to my HO setup & I'm using the E Z Command system. Not being that savvy to decoder installation, I'd prefer to get a factory setup and not put a sound decoder in my present engine (at least with my current knowledge level). Line name is not extremely important but prefer "Southern Railway".
Will other manufacturers engines be re-programable to different addresses with the E Z Command system? Will they be factory set (as bachmann's are) to address 3?
Does Bachmann have any plans in add sound to their DCC diesel engines?
Thanks for reading the long post
David

I'm considering adding some lighted accessories to my layout & have a question. I currently have the EZ Command DCC system with two DCC engines (one has sound). The least complicated way to wire them is to connect them directly to the track but I'm afraid it will draw too much current. I'm okay with power right now but I'd like to add a third DCC engine (with sound) soon and was thinking about getting the 5 amp power booster if I did. Now I could just get a cheap transformer with an accessory hook up & wire all the lights back to it but since I'm thinking about a third engine anyway, should I go ahead and bite the bullet & get the power booster? (I've found one for $155 delivered if that's a consideration.) Any other suggestions? Thanks.
David

I found a free download version of AnyRail that has librarys (with dimensions) of different manufacturers of tracks including their switches. The free version only allows up to 50 pieces of track but with a little block planning you can create large layouts.

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

David

Thanks Bob,
Hadn't even considered that.
David

 UPS ran last Friday with my DCC command center, two locomotives, & track with two DCC turnouts & two crossovers. Saturday morning I got the track assembled per my planned layout using a trial version of "Anyrail" software. It's E-Z track & it's a 52" outer oval and a 44" inner oval connected together with a pair of crossovers. There is a turnout in the inner oval with another turnout to make two dead ends. I wasn't too sure about the turnouts & crossovers so I checked everything with a volt-ohm meter for shorts constantly.
I had absolutely no problems reprogramming  the command buttons (not using the default #3) for the two engines (one even has sound).  Had no problems programming the two turnouts & one of the crossovers (even programming the default position) but one crossover sometimes would not work. Rather than send it for repair I did a little investigating & found a loose solder joint. Resoldered & now functions.
I had a small situation with the loco with sound. Everytime it passed over a crossover or turnout, it would stop. If you returned the throttle to zero position & back to speed it would start moving again until it crossed another switch. The problem (I think) was due to the stiffness of the wires (connecting the engine with the tender). The front wheels of the tender were just barely contacting the rails & would bounce when passing over a switch frog. I assumed the tender had a track pick-up on these wheels and would lose it's signal or power when they bounced. Anyway, the problem went away after I repositioned those wires.
Thanks for taking the time to read my long post but I was so satisfied with my results that I had to write it.
David

I did it this weekend and it's very simple. Press 9 on the comtroller, then press the Yellow function button on the controller. The light below the function button should flash on & off. Now press the small black button on the DCC turnout & hold for about two seconds until the turnout activates twice. Release the turnout button. Now press the controller button you want to use for that turnout rapidly four times. The turnout will signal it's acknowledgement four or five times. It's done. The instructions are included with the turnouts along with instructions to set the default turnout position (which was important to me). Up to eight turnouts/crossovers can be programmed (buttons one thru eight). All turnouts/crossovers are addressed from button 9 so to operate, press 9, then the function button, & finally the turnout button you chose.
David

Yeah, the man is to mark the magnet location.
Dave

First post to the forum. I bought my grandson a DC train set for Christmas & now we're hooked on it. I've ordered a DCC locomotive with the EZ Command system & hope to have it soon. I'm quite sure I'll be asking for your help then.
I've been reading the forum & have a question already. If my proposed track consisted of about 55 feet total length (a 5'X8' oval with a pair of DCC crossovers to connect to an inner oval) of E-Z track (not soldered together), and running two DCC trains (one with sound), should I plan to connect the EZ Command to the track in more than the one location to reduce the possibility of a voltage drop? I'm not planning on multiple blocks. My own twisted logic makes me think I can as long as I make sure I don't create a short by connecting across opposite rails.
Please forgive the long first post.
Grandpawmoses