BachmanEZ Track--A Novice's Assessment

[SpaceMouse]

I have spent the last two weekends working on a 4.5 x 8 layout made of about 2/3 EZ track and 1/3 Atlas Flex and pieces. Last week I got the layout done and layed out the plywood for cookie cutting. I finished the flex track Saturday morning, cutting it with a dremmel tool--and of course the track cutting tool arrived later that day.

I decided to solder and file down the high joints on the track that would be in a tunnel under the mountain. While I was doing that, I realized that I should probably test out the turnouts toward the back. It was a good thing I did. Every time an engine went on a side track, it derailed. I'd fix one place and it derailed elsewhere. What I found was that on the outside rails of a turnout, enueven joints woul stop the loco cold causing it to pop the drive wheels of the track. I'd no sooner fix this thatn another problem would occur. There were two common problems. One is that points were square. A little could be done with filing, but the bigger problem is that they don't always lay flat against the rail.

At any rate, I spent the entire day filing track and was able to get all but one of the turnouts reliable. Of course, it is the least accessible one. If the turnout is open strainght, there is not problem. If it is open toward the turnout, all the locomotives can make it at medium speed, but neither fast or slow. I think everone will end up avoiding that turnout.

So out of EZ 14 turnouts, 13 work and one works conditionally.

However, two were are flawed. One had a sprung mechanism and I had to take it apart, figure it out and fix it. On the other broken one, the turnout side was electrically dead. The solution of course is to put a dropdown on the other side of the turnout. But I had planned to insulate that break and create a block there. At this point, it is easier to eliminate the block.

So, even though the EZ track started out easier, the Atlas is more verisitile and easier to work with. The Atlas is easier to join as the Bachman construction requires a slight twist to get the pieces together. The Atlas is certainly easier to cutomize. The turnout that derils the trains above could be greatly improved with a tortoise, but it would semi-difficult to fit one to a EZ turnout.

I give EZ a C or maybe a C+

[Anonymous]

It's true EZ track may not be the best out there, but i use it and love it. Another good track with built in roadbed is Kato Unitrack.

[Roadtrp]

I've found EZ track great to work with. Just the track though, not the turnouts. I agree with the above assessment. I only have 6 turnouts on my layout, but I've spend hours and hours getting them all to work reliably. Usually just filing down the points does it, but occasionally I need to work with the frog also.

My grade for EZ Track:

Track B+
Turnouts D+

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp

I've found EZ track great to work with. Just the track though, not the turnouts. I agree with the above assessment. I only have 6 turnouts on my layout, but I've spend hours and hours getting them all to work reliably. Usually just filing down the points does it, but occasionally I need to work with the frog also.

My grade for EZ Track:

Track B+
Turnouts D+

I had a lot of frog work today, especilly where metal from the back end of the points meets the plastic. The trains kept snagging there.

I would agree with the B+ D+

But my bigger track will be flex and tortoises.

[Don Gibson]

I was more impressed with LIFE LIKE's turnouts than all the others - metal frogs.
I don't qualify to judge, only observe, as I use all Shinohara made after trying other brands.