Why do you think this is?Manufacturing Costs

[Jetrock]

Haven't heard of it, but I have seen spatter paint that would look kind of like ballast--the main problem would be how to paint the ballast and not the ties!

[Anonymous]

I know alot of people that say to only buy a hornby set or another like it that only has unroadbedded track.

I heard you can get a spray ballast for ths ez track.Is it true.i think it is like a spatter paint.

many thanks

pav

[Jetrock]

It's not better or worse, but different. It serves a different role--as mentioned above, it is easier for novice modelers or folks who want to set up a train set on the floor, but still usable for a layout. Flextrack and sectional track are better for other purposes--better for the needs of the intermediate or advanced modeler, but not as good for beginners.

And then, of course, there are those who handlay their track, who need neither EZ-Track nor flex track or sectional track!

[Anonymous]

There must be some sort of demand, since many of the major suppliers are offering this type of track. Atlas, Bachmann, Life-Like and Kato all have roadbed track in their product lines. As was stated above, there is a level of simplicity with this type of track that also adds to the realism for many folks, myself included. While I am in the design stages of a layout that will be built with cork and flextrack, I have a Kato Unitrack set that I use to run my trains on. Since I am setting up the Unitrack in the house, it has to be able to be removed, and that is nearly as easy as setting it up. What's also fun about it, is that I don't think I've ever set it up the same way twice. This offers some variety when it comes to operation of my trains. The same could be accomplished with sectional track, but would not work very well on my carpeted floors. Again, there must be some market for this stuff 'cause I bought some!
-Joe

[TurboOne]

I believe EZ track and other with prebuilt roadbed will be the saviors of the hobby.
I found an old model train book from the 60s. It said the average age of a railroad hobbyist is 33. Recently I read the average age is 52. That means that most of todays purchasers will not be doing much within 20-25 years. Some will but many won't. And that is the average age, many are 70+. If the manufactures, stores and powers to be don't start appealing to the younger crowd, the hobby will shrink or die.
This is where I see the "new fangled" stuff as a savior to the hobby. For the always busy, no time person, A DCC layout with easy track. Set up in minutes like like Paul said. These people may grow into a more serious model railroader, but if not, that's ok. If you make it fun, quick to set up, and easy, many new folks will buy into the trains world. It is a great hobby with poor advertising to the mainstream world. Those of us here on the forum, or those that read a train magazine, will not help the hobby grow. We are already hooked. We need a lot of new blood, which you get by advertising to non train hobby people. Then with more people, we get better prices. See I have a method to the madness.

So the answer to the original question is its not about price. Its about convenience. Speed and fun, just like a video game; damn the torpedos, full speed ahead, buy, build and get the trains running in a day.

Then its up to us to show them the next level. More teaching. Especially to young kids. Not that it takes 10 years to build a layout, but there is always more to learn when they are ready.

My [2c]

Tim

[Don Gibson]

EZ TRACK , and SNAP-LOCK, etc. are today's upgrade to '50 year old 'Snap Track'.
Are they better? One doen't have to buy a book on How to Lay Cork.


The weakest link in all secitional track is the electrical system depending on frictional rail joiners. These 'size' and lose their grip, plugging and unplugging them. KATO has separate elecrical contact's built in besides the rail joiners, and should give less trouble...

[Wdlgln005]

Bachmann is a big seller of "trainsets", some of them at mass retailers, like Hobby Lobby & others. Sam's sold large scale trainsets this Christmas. EZtrak is a good solution for these folks, that put up a quick & easy layout. It's better than regular snap trak, since you can put it on a table. What is bad is the poor selection of turnouts and other track components.
The first appearance for this product had clips for use on a Christmas tree for holiday display. I'd like to see Bachmann improve their standard line of cars/lokies to Spectrum standards. Their Connie is one good N steamer.

[Anonymous]

As the previous posts mentioned, this idea is for the "quick" layout. I was in a LHS Saturday and a kid with his dad wanted a train set. Dad was not big on the idea, stating you have to have a board, etc.... One of the employees mentioned to the dad the Bachmann EZ track sets saying you could set this up on the floor, carpet, and it doesn't have to be permantly up. Well they left with a set and hopefully started someone off in the hobby who can always advance and maybe get dad involved.

Steve

[davekelly]

I think things like EZ track are great. Although I prefer using flex, I think such a type of track opens the possibilities that are available now. Handlaying. Flex. Sectional. EZtrack-like. Each has its pluses and minuses and will allow modelers to concentrate only on those aspects of the hobby that interest them.

[IRONROOSTER]

It looks better than just laying the track on the floor or tabletop. A lot of people put a sheet piece of plywood on legs and lay one of those green grass mats on top of it. Add EZ track and a couple of trees and your scenery is done. You can plunk some easy to build (or ready built) plastic buildings on the layout and unroll a couple of streets and your done. For younger kids this is an easy way to get started especially if Dad's not really interested. Hopefully they stay in the hobby and move on to more advanced forms of model railroading.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

I would doubt Bachmann would have offered this style track had there not been a demand for it! Atlas offers a similar product, so to have two manufacturers develope similar products to bring to market, must mean there is a strong enough market! It is a given that the majority would just as soon not have to build the models they use on their model railroads anymore, so why then would they want to model the track?

[Anonymous]

I don't understand why you say EZ track is worse than snap track. With the large connectors, it is easier to assemble, especially by children. It looks more realistic than bare snap track. Being elevated I imagine it would collect less lint and dust when assembled on carpeting. I have an oval of EZ track that I use as a test track, as my modeling is done on HO scale modules and I cannot run new equipment for some time to test and break in.

In short, it is something better to add to their train sets, to possibly sell more. I don't think it was ever intended for use on complete model railroads, although it could be.

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

Hi

I was wondering why companies like bachmann ect use EZ Track.Why is it worse than snap track.

Woudnt it cost bachmann MORE to add plastic roadbed to their track.Why pay more when less people will buy it as a result.

They would get heaps more sales if they didnt add the plastic roadbed and they would save money too.

Just something to think about.

Pavariangoo says thanks to you!
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