Bachmann Trains E-Z Command Digital Command Controller

Reader Reviews
When I bought a Bachmann HO Train set the EZ Command DCC was included. I did not have an understanding of DCC so I ran only one train for several months. Over time I built a 5' X 10' layout in my garage and installed three separate tracks which allowed me to run three trains. That is when I learned about DCC and addressing engines. I also learned you need to buy an engine with DCC or add DCC yourself. In my case, a member of my model train club installed all the DCC's needed if a engine wasn't so equipped. But I soon learned to buy only DCC equipped engines. This unit has (1) non-DCC address and (9) DCC address I could play with on my track. I had a small bit of trouble understanding how to program engines with a one (1) through nine (9) address. It was not a Bachmann issue, it was my "slow down" and pay more attention to what I was doing issue. By now I had a dozen DCC engines and 5 non-DCC engines. (In my opinion, buying HO gauge was relatively inexpensive so that is why so many engines.) When all was said and done, I was running three (3) DCC and one (1) non DCC engines at the same time with another 4 or 5 engines sitting on side rails ready to enter the main lines. You will need to design your own 1 digit numbering system to correlate engines to the EZ Controller single digit button on the controller. I had installed 12 switches which would allow me to move trains between tracks. I soon realized why you need both an Engineer and a Conductor. As time went by I also discovered there are other "DCC" controllers with much more sophistication than the EZ unit. Still, everything considered, I made it work for me. (As an aside, a guest who had their own DCC engines with the more digit sophisticated addressing could not run on my tract with my EZ controller.) Keep in mind, the EZ controller is at the beginning of the DCC control Systems and is very inexpensive. i would recommend the purchase of the EZ Controller for two reasons. 1) If this is your first entry into DCC this is all you need to learn on. 2) The unit price is under $100 and is a very inexpensive way to find out if you are going to want to use DCC. I have since sold all my HO equipment including the layout and am getting ready to do either "O" or "O27" both of which will give me 1/48 size which is close to twice as big as my 1/87 HO gauge was. I have cupboard full of "G" scale which I had outside at another house 10 years ago. i considered setting it up in my garage but decided it was just to big. You know how it is, once a model train lover, always a model train lover. I hope my comments after my 3 years experience with the EZ DCC offers some help. And, if you were wondering, I am going to buy another Bachmann EZ DCC Controller for my next model train set-up. Jerry LaFavor, Las Vegas