Bachmann Trains - Digital Commander DCC Equipped Ready To Run Electric Train Set - HO Scale

The instructions were slightly lacking with expansion pack operation, but with the DC controller I figured out that turning to channel 10 then applying increased power is what will actually drive the track switches from the expansion track pack . I had to hook the switches in line before the main power connected to the track. Also make sure all your loops only allow travel in one direction. if you try to connect a loop so the track runs backwards onto itself it seems like it will short circuit out and the trains won't run. All the track pieces went together nice and smoothly, the trains both started on channel 3 correctly. It was super easy to switch them to channel 1 and 2. They ran at the same time flawlessly. There are lots of good youtube videos to help with ideas for layouts. I'd recommend this for kids 6-9 with adult assistance, and over 9 just show them how to be careful with the track connectors then let the kids work out the kinks. Overall a decent value for the quality and price.

Everything works nice

This set started my hobby, kind of pricey but I think it’s a good starter set

Great craftsmanship

Good for the price. However, did not come with sound [air horn or engine noise]. Pursuit to this led to numerous websites/individuals/back and forth. Finally locating a new PC board for one of the two engines and a speaker [$120.00], I set about installation. Speaker equipped with 2 drivers and 2 miniature connectors, but no receiving connectors on the PC board! There is also no schematic for the speaker connection. Phone calls Bachmann [the manufacture, though probably China/Vietnam et al], netted more confusion, ditto the board supplier! Wires on speaker are very small and too short to connect to singular +/- terminals on board. After 4 wire chance selection I managed to get sound which happens to be very good. The hobby part is dealing with suppliers who have no idea of their product or customer satisfaction?!

I have had this starter DCC set for about 2 mos and have given the locomotives frequent use. I bought the Bachman Track Pack and this track plan fills my 4x8 layout. I replaced the track packs 4 turn outs that are wired with DCC powered turn outs. I have used 6 of the 10 EZ Commander DCC addresses with the 2 locos and 4 switches. Great fun. I am usually hard to please yet thus far I am pleased and this set introduced me to DCC HO gauge model railroading. All thee accolades noted would I repeat the purchase? I would not and this is not from dissatisfaction with the set. It is from expanded knowledge of the hobby and realization that I would not want to expand the 4x8 layout with the Bachman all in one EZ Track. It is not as realistic as sectional track with separate roadbed. You can put your own DCC layout together even if you are s beginner. Read and study. For about the same cost you could go with a bit higher end set up buying the components separately. Many options but this could be one: Atlas HO sectional track with more than enough to fill a 4x8. Amazon has Atlas starter track packs. Maybe the Digitrax DCC starter components. A couple of the lower priced Bachman DCC on board locks like the ones that come with the Digital Commander will complete your start in model railroading. If you want to be thrifty and know you wont eventually yearn for a room filling railroad empire go w-the Bachman Commander and have fun! I plan to continue building my 4x8 layout and may even mate the EZ Track to higher end sectionssl track with my next adjacent table. That's a little funky but I think it can be done with some thought and study. Hope my sharing here may be useful to some of you. Forgive the typos!

I don't know why there would be so much positive feedback on this product. It really makes me wonder about the integrity of the reviews. Out of the box you can see immediately that these are all cheaply made plastic toys, and they start to fall apart almost immediately. Some of the tracks were warped and didn't connect well. Some of the connectors on the trains fell off. When we set them up and tried to run them we discovered that they would derail constantly for various reasons. It's possible to have some fun with these if you are very patient and you don't expect them to last very long. But I would recommend spending more money on a higher quality product.

Had a great time setting it up and once it was all together the 6 year old it was bought for was able to operate it with no problem. It did take him a while to master setting the trains on the tracks but it was not a problem as they cannot damage anything by attempting to master that skill (pretty much the hardest thing for the little guy to do). Straight forward controls once you read the instructions, you can set up several different engines on the switch board they provide. It was bought for a Christmas gift and he is still playing with it regularly.