P.S.  Before the end of each temporary layout deconstruction and storage, we clean all the track and turnouts used and all the wheels of locomotives and cars.  That's important for good DCC connectivity. 

Hi rbrycel,

Some notes of reassurance: 

My grandson and I have constructed many temporary, extensive, and complex floor HO EZ nickel-silver track layouts for over 8 years with both EZ Command and MRC Prodigy Advance Squared DCC controls.  These layouts have covered as many as 5 rooms and connecting hallways over carpet, tile, and multi-level elevated Woodland Scenics roadbed with not a single soldering connection or extra power connections.

We use both sound and non-sound DCC single and consisted locomotives as well as some lighted passenger cars.  Some of my grandson's freight trains are over 50 cars long with up to 5 consisted locos.   All we've noticed is a little but acceptable power drop at the farthest reaches of the layouts from the power source, approximately 45 feet.  When track joiners get loose from disconnecting and reconnecting many times, we replace them for better connections.  That seems to do the trick.    We use Atlas joiners which work fine and are cheap.   

On the other hand, if you're planning a permanent and extensive tabletop layout with "bulletproof" track and power, then you should probably follow the more rigorous standards you've read about.  Personally, I would experiment with temporary layouts first and see what meets your standards of operation and, don't forget, fun!  That's the beauty of EZ track. 

Good luck! 

As Jerry says, a separate power source is needed for turnouts.  I use an EZ Command to control my locos and an old MRC Railpower 1300 to power all my many EZ track remote turnouts.  Model Train Stuff has a bunch of MRC #AA300s for sale at $24.99.  http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/MRC-Railpower-1300-p/mrc-aa300.htm

My grandson and I have used nothing but gray roadbed EZ track for extensive temporary floor layouts for the last 9 years.  No major problems.  Some minor tweaking of standard, #5, and #6 turnouts sometimes necessary but no real biggies.  We look for track on clearance sales at LHSs, train shows, and swap meets and have scored some good deals. 

Product reference is a submenu in Parts and Service page.

Just curious if anyone has rec'd one of new Schnabels yet, specifically Spectrum #80503, red & black with gray load and silver trucks.  If so,  does car come with any road name/road numbers/decals? 

Thanks,

My grandson and I think HO EZ track is a great way to get in the hobby!  Not having dedicated space for a permanent layout after I retired, he  and  I have  obtained over 400 feet of straights, curves, crossings, and turnouts for extensive and very complicated temporary floor layouts over the last  8 years.

Even though EZ track is comparatively expensive, we were able to greatly expand our inventory with bargains found during train store clearances sadly associated with their closings.  And except for some temporary holiday layouts we set up for patients at a local VA medical center, we don't do scenery.  We just run trains.   

My grandson is  now in college, but he still visits regularly and we set up multi-room and multi-level layouts that my wife patiently steps over for the few days or weeks while he's here.  He's posted some of his most convoluted track journey videos on Facebook. 

We've found EZ track to have the greatest variety of any pre-ballasted sectional track available.  It has also proven very robust in withstanding multiple assemblies and teardowns, with replacement of track joiners as needed. 

We use primarily DCC power and have never had to install feeders.  Some EZ track turnouts do require out-of-the- box and periodic tweeking for reliable operation but we find that to be part of the challenge and fun of  the hobby.  A word of caution:  diesel loco operation is much more reliable on temporary floor track than picky large  steam locos.  It also doesn't hurt that my grandson is studying mechanical engineering and has used EZ track for some of his  uber-geeky "Rube Goldbergish" college  projects.   

Good luck in your future model railroading! 

 

JerryB,
Good info on 1/87 sources,  but I believe you got scales reversed in your summary.  1/72 is larger than HO (1/87) and 1/100 is smaller than HO.  After all, 1/1 is prototype scale. 

1/87 scale model planes are hard to come by.  I decided to go with 1/100, more selection available and usually close enough, especially if they're in background of layout.  If I had any in foreground, 1/72 is a a very popular plane scale. 

Try Athearn and Con-Cor for 72' scale cars and Roundhouse for 50' and 34' old time passenger cars.  My grandson and I have some of each and all work on 18" curves.  The shortest ones look the best on sharp curves. 

I see this item advertised as either DCC ready or DCC onboard.   Does the loco set (1 power, 1 dummy) come in two versions? 

Thanks,

I added the 5 amp booster to my EZ Command (including Walk-Around Companion) and EZ Track layout a few years ago.  Full hookup instructions were included and it was easy to connect to track and EZ Command Control.   It's been great for my grandson and me to run multi-loco consisted DCC/sound freight and passenger trains with a lot of lighted cars.  Current best price I find from discount retailer is @$180.00 - Model Train Stuff (MB Klein).  Could find it cheaper on EBay. 

I have many lighted Bachmann Spectrum heavyweight passenger cars on my HO layout.  I use MRC Prodigy Advance Squared Wireless DCC system.   Cars are very bright on DCC but so far no burnouts after many hours of use. 

How about Bachmann Spectrum 160-89943, Amtrak Acela business class road #3530? 

Try Bachmann #99978, "EZ Model Railroad Track Planning Book", under Product Information menu on this website.