Bachmann Trains EZ Command DCC Digital Command Controller Review

I started my layout as analog with an old power pack, some track and a non-DCC locomotive I purchased years before. As the layout expanded I started hearing about DCC (Digital Command Control) in online forums and although I was dedicated to my layout being analog, due to the expense of changing, began to educate myself.

At some point I realized that the layout was almost three times as large as I had originally intended and I'd either need to start creating switching blocks, start running separate loops with separate transformers or be content to run just one lonely train on this large layout. None of those alternatives seemed very attractive.

Simultaneously, my studies had educated me to the advantages of going DCC. In fact, I calculated that after the initial cost of purchasing a controller and two DCC equipped locomotives, DCC was cheaper than analog in the long run with less hoops to jump through.

I finally decided to take the plunge about six months ago. I ordered the Bachmann EZ Command DCC Controller, two DCC engines and a few other items from Amazon.com and waited anxiously for the order to magically appear at my doorstep. Finally the UPS truck arrived. The excitement mounted as I eagerly opened the package.

The locos were so cool! And the controller was about what I expected, easy to hold and simple to operate. It even came with an instructional DVD by Bachmann Trains that clearly showed how to hook it up to the track. A few minutes later my analog power pack was history and two new DCC engines were zipping around my DCC layout!

Yes, it's really that easy.

This may well be the only DCC controller you ever need. I'm currently running three DCC locomotives and one analog loco with it and it and all four have far more speed than I'll ever need to run. As far as power, I can add as many cars as I like to any of the four locomotives and they pull with ease.

I highly recommend you purchase two or more DCC equipped locomotives with the controller. Do not buy "DCC ready" because that means you'll have to purchase the decoder and install it. Maybe you can do that later after you gain experience, right now stick with "DCC equipped" or "DCC on board" so you can simply set up your controller, put the trains down and start having fun!

One DCC equipped loco will run by itself just fine but I recommend getting two, otherwise, why go DCC at all? You can run one engine with an analog power pack. The whole point of DCC is the ability to run multiple engines on the same track!

Everything you need to get started in DCC. Controller, track, two DCC locomotives and some rolling stock at a great price! It's like getting two DCC locos for about $20 each!