not sure why this was posted here. meant to be in the layouts folder! hopefully someone can move it...
Hi all,
I have a dilemma.
As of two weeks ago, I had planned to use Woodland Scenics SubTerrain system on a 4x8 board for a summer layout project. Sadly, that won't be happening anymore. Now, I have no other option for a summer layout. I have a table, but my family is moving next year and I can't bring the table, so it seems silly to set up something super permanent there. Ah well, I was sad about not having a summer layout to build for about 32 minutes before I realized WAIT! I know just what to do!
I decided that, for this summer, I would purchase a bunch of Bachmann E-Z track and put a temporary setup on the table. Easy to remove when it's time, and gives me a place to run my trains/add scenery around just for the summer. I know for the majority of the folks on here, it's a net loss because of all the downfalls (Not a true layout, Bachmann track has a ton of faults, I probably won't be able to use it in the future, etc), but for me, it's absolutely a net gain. I'm only sixteen years old without my own steady source of income. I like watching trains run more than building the physical layout (at least I think so...). Once we move, I'm planning to be way more serious about building an actual layout. At this point though, I just want some minor scenery and a cool trackplan to run my trains on.
That being said, I've done a ton of searching and I can't find a single Bachmann E-Z track layout that I like that could fit on the 4x12 space I have. I was hoping someone might have a layout for me, or would be willing to draw up one. I'm useless with planning softwares myself, and I want to make sure I buy only the track I need. If anyone could help, I would really appreciate. Even better, if you have a better solution, I'm absolutely all ears. I haven't purchased anything at all, so nothing is final.
Hoping for help! Griffin
You could try the Bachmann forums. Over the years, I have seen many discussions using EZ Track. Company reps there with users of EZ track.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php?PHPSESSID=6i5p51r2l7l7pkngr4m3vm69e6&
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Maybe our resident expert in layout design, screen name is cuyama, his name, Byron, will chime in. He could come up with something for sure.
Mike.
My You Tube
Just found this link that might help if you like using software.
Dated, but might help.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/144896.aspx
One downside of E-Z Track is that, unlike other 'click track' brands, the gray stuff under the track isn't meant to represent ballast. It's the subroadbed, like taking the place of cork roadbed. After you get the track where you want it, you're supposed to glue ballast over it. That would make it a lot harder to remove and re-use the track down the road.
If you haven't already bought the track, consider either Atlas Tru-Track or Kato Unitrack.
http://www.atlasrr.com/Trackmisc/hotruetrack.htm
http://katousa.com/HO/unitrack.html
As far as a trackplan for what sounds to be a first layout, I'd keep it simple. Maybe something like the "World's Greatest Hobby" layout, only expanded from 4x8 to 4x12, along with some extra industry tracks or a small yard. I believe Bachmann, Atlas and Kato make or have made boxed track sets for building that layout.
There's even a video on how to build it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoocLzdUAec&list=PL3B3882F24B21E496