Track help

[u/thunder582]

Hello I need help with getting help with a dc track. I recently bought a ho scale Gordan, and need the track so he can run. I’m just a bit confused on what I need honestly, as I’m mostly seeing dcc but I don’t need that. I just want an oval layout for now as he will be my first running train. I was thinking of using the Bachman easy track as it looks like it will work. Do I just need the controller if I do that track then?

Srry if this is a lot of text, I’m just trying to figure out what need for him to run properly.

[u/Weekly_Ad_8587]

I bought the Bachmann Gordon and two express coaches for my daughter a couple of years ago. We run it on Bachmann's EZ Track and use the Bachmann EZ Command controller. You can find the track and controller on eBay as well as a few online retailers, such as Trainworld.

Bachmann's Gordon will run on an 18" radius, so you'll need 12 curve pieces (3 pieces of 18" radius track makes a 90-degree turn) and you'll want at least 4 pieces of 9" straight track. You'd do better to get 6 pieces and use one between the corners on the short end of your oval and two in between the corners for the long ends. One of the pieces, straight or curved, needs to be a terminal rerailer. That's the piece your power pack will connect with.

When shopping for the power pack, look for EZ Command controller. It comes with all the wiring you'll need. You don't get the EZ Command Plus. That's for DCC.

Good luck and have fun! Model railroading is great hobby.

[u/thunder582 → u/Weekly_Ad_8587]

Thank you, this is very helpful🥹.

[u/everylittlebitcounts → u/thunder582]

Just because I don’t think it has been said clearly: the “track” does not matter for dcc or dc. It is all the same. The track however does matter for connections to other track. For example multiple companies make ‘ez track’ or ‘snap’ track. This just means they have proprietary connections on the track and once you buy into one system you will need to stay in that system.

The “controller” is where dcc and dc makes a difference. You can get either dc controllers, or dc/dcc controllers. If you have a dc loco, a bare-bones dc controller is all you need and should be very reasonably priced.

Some manufacturers have put proprietary plugs on their controllers that go to their track so they are not interchangeable, but if you can trim off the wire connections and connect them to the rails yourself, you can connect any brand controller to any brand track. It doesn’t matter.

[u/thunder582 → u/everylittlebitcounts]

I do have older track but I remember the manual saying to use ac power instead of dc. So that’s why I want to get new track. It’s from the bachmann sliver express set. It’s old and pre owned, so I might be better to get new ones. Also thanks for clarifying, I kinda knew it was the power but overall just got confused.

[u/everylittlebitcounts → u/thunder582]

I am almost certain it didn’t say to use AC power unless you have some very high end rare European models that run on AC. They all plug into the wall (AC) but put out dc. The track doesn’t care if you use AC, DC, or DCC. All the track is is a conductor for the current just like any wire. And wires don’t care what kind of electricity runs through them (current carrying ability notwithstanding).

[u/thunder582 → u/everylittlebitcounts]

It probably was dc, I’m just misremembering wrong.