News & Reviews Product Reviews Staff Reviews Bachmann HO DCC turnout

Bachmann HO DCC turnout

By Angela Cotey | April 25, 2008

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


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Bachmann HO DCC turnout
Bachmann HO DCC turnout
Modelers who use Bachmann’s HO scale E-Z track system can now add Digital Command Control (DCC)-equipped turnouts to their layouts. Bachmann E-Z Command remote-control turnouts function with Bachmann or other National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)-compliant DCC systems.

Construction. Like other components of the Bachmann E-Z track system, the DCC-equipped turnout features nickel-silver rails attached to plastic roadbed. The roadbed is molded gray with ballast detail. The brown painted ties have wood grain and spike head detail.

The E-Z track system uses separate rail and roadbed joiners that are easy to connect and disconnect. Our no. 5 wye turnout also includes a separate 21/4″ straight track section.

The turnout has a metal frog, which can be powered by connecting the supplied jumper.

I checked the turnout’s dimensions with my NMRA standards gauge, and they all matched NMRA standard S-3.2.

Easy to use. I tested the no. 5 wye turnout with a Bachmann E-Z Command Control Center. After installing the turnout, I pressed 9 on the controller followed by the “function” button. Then I pressed 3, the turnout’s factory-default address, to toggle between normal and reverse positions.

The turnout was simple to program using the E-Z Command Center as outlined in the instructions. To enter programming mode, I used a pen to hold down the turnout’s programming button, located between the ties of the right leg, for two seconds. A gray plastic cover is included to conceal the button when it’s not in use.

The points toggled twice to indicate that the turnout was in programming mode. I then entered the new address.

I also operated the Bachmann turnout using a Model Rectifier Corp. (MRC) Prodigy Advance DCC system. I pushed the turnout’s programming button then changed its address. No matter what DCC system you use, you must first program the turnout’s address using that system, or the turnout won’t function.

The turnout has a sliding switch along the roadbed for manual operation. The turnout motor won’t work on DC layouts.

Ease of operation make Bachmann’s E-Z Command turnout a great option for expanding an E-Z track layout.

Bachmann DCC turnout
Price: $48.00 (train set), $60.00 (no. 5), $63.00 (no. 6), $80.00 (no. 6 single crossover)

Manufacturer
Bachmann Industries Inc.
1400 E. Erie St.
Philadelphia, PA 19124
www.bachmanntrains.com

Description: Digital Command Control remote-control turnout

6 thoughts on “Bachmann HO DCC turnout

  1. Have tried several of them. Are of bad quality with parts sliding railparts coming loose and frequent derailing because the wheels climb up on the sliding rail since it is badly manufactured. Sometimes it looses programming, but it can be reprogrammed. However a great idea, but needs better quality in details. Would be nice to try their electronics only on other swirches.

  2. I would like to convert my E-Z track switches to the DCC ones but does anyone know how to run them using the Lenz 90 system?

  3. Has anyone programmed the turnouts using Digitrax control system? I once read how to do it with the DT400 controller but have lost them and cannot seem to locate them on the net..

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