Bachmann Online Forum

Here are a few EZ track layouts I came up with.  These were up on the old site.
One is the WGH layout using 22" radius curves.
I have some more pics of sidings I'll put up shortly.

The pieces that have the white strips across them are the 2" straights.
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[imghttp://www.sarget.com/trains/traintips/bach/eztrack/bachezyarda-24.jpg[/img]http://2.

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The first one didn't show up
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Nice work Terry...looks like they will be a lot of fun.

Some EZ Track sidings -
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Passing sidings
One problem with making a passing siding on the straights with EZT (EZ Track) is that (with one exception - #5 below) you need a 2" straight.
That is, unless you want to cut the EZ Track.
As of today, 2" straights aren't sold separately.
They are sold with Bachmann's 90* crossing. It comes with four 2" straights.
Below are 6 examples of how you can make a passing siding using 18" radius curves.
This won't work with 15" or 22" radius curves without some kind of "S" curve somewhere.
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1. Below -  No straights between curve and turnout.   ***NOT A GOOD IDEA ***
Diverging leg = left - 18"r - 18"r - right
Straight leg = left - 3" - 4 1/2" - 9" - "2 1/4" - 2" - 9 - right
Dimensions = 38 3/4" long   6 3/4" wide

---------------------------------------------
2. Below -  2" straights between curve and turnout. 
Diverging leg = left - 2" -18"r - 18"r - 2" - right
Straight leg = left - 9" - 2 1/4" - 2" - 2" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 42 1/4" long   7 3/4" wide

-----------------------------------------------
3. Below -  2 1/4" straights between curve and turnout. 
Diverging leg = left - 2 1/4" -18"r - 18"r - 2 1/4" - right
Straight leg = left - 2" - 9" - 4 1/2" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 42 1/2" long   7 3/4" wide

--------------------------------------------------
4. Below -  3" straights between curve and turnout. 
Diverging leg = left - 3" - 18"r - 18"r - 3" - right
Straight leg = left - 9" - 3" - 3" - 2" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 44" long   8 1/4" wide

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5. Below -  4 1/2" straights between curve and turnout.
*** The only combination that will work without a 2" straight. ***
Diverging leg = left - 4 1/2" - 18"r - 18"r - 4 1/2" - right
Straight leg = left - 9" - 3" - 3" - 2 1/4" - 2 1/4" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 48 1/2" long   9" wide

---------------------------------------------------------
6. Below -  9" straights between curve and turnout. 
Diverging leg = left - 9" - 18"r - 18"r - 9" - right
Straight leg = left - 9" - 9" - 2" - 4 1/2" - 2 1/4" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 54 1/2" long   11 1/4" wide

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7. Below - Opposing turnouts
Diverging leg = left - 2 1/4" - left - right - 2 1/4" - right
Straight leg = left - 4 1/2" - 3" - 2" - 9" - 9" - right
Dimensions = 45 1/2" long   7 3/4" wide

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   EZ Track yard
Here is an EZ Track yard made without cutting pieces and using the 2" straights, standard turnouts, and 18" curves.
The below pics use the diverging legs for the straight sections and the straight leg
for the curved sections.
Add straights equally between the two curves and the straights to make it longer.
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   1. Below - Can be passing siding or two track yard.
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 2" - 2 1/4" - left
Straight leg = right - 18"r - 18"r - left
Dimensions = 34 1/2" long   10 1/2" wide (to lowest corner of turnout)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
   2. Below - Four track yard.
Top set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 2" - 2 1/4" - left
Straight leg = right - 18"r - 18"r - left
Second set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 9" - 2" - 9" - left
Third set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 9" - 4 1/2" - 2" - 2 1/4" - 9" - 9" - left
Dimensions = 65 1/4" long   17 1/4" wide (to lowest corner of turnout)

Terry,

That was a nice set of photos. That set shows exactly how the layout looks with EZ-track. The last photos of the WGH-based layout is very good. The major magazines leave out this part and it's very important for a newcomer to see how it really fits together. Max in the UK should study this. His layout is nice but a little more work with the same outline could be outstanding in a small place.

Very nice!  I'm starting to expand my collection of E-Z Track and am always looking for EZT layouts and tips/ideas.

I did have a question -  you mentioned on the "#1 picture" that:

  "No straights between curve and turnout.   ***NOT A GOOD IDEA ***"

I'm curious as to why that is?  Is it because its too tight for some locos to get through (like say a 4-10-4?) or what?  I've been noodling some layouts and was thinking of doing something like your "#7 opposing turnouts" but put the "left left" connected directly to each other without the 2 1/4" straight in between - I'm now reconsidering that idea!

Thanks!

JWB
In the #1 pic, it creates an "S" turn. The more straight you have between opposing curves, the less chance of derailment with longer cars.

Terry,
On the sidings you have pictured, did you use the standard EZ track switches?  That would be versus the #5 switches?  I want to make sure I get the right thing to try this.

PDS - Yes. On the siding pics, I just used the standard EZ Turnouts.

Terry,

How come layouts featured by most do not include "S" curves for visual variety in layout configurations?

I guess out layout dimemnsions have a lot to do with it.

Comment?

Oh well.

Jonathan

It seems to be a consensus that S curves are not good, especially on longer cars.

I like the EZ track for easy setup, but my steam locos don't like the turnouts, even going straight through. The pilot trucks derail, especially 2 wheel.   The frog appears to be molded too shallow, and the guard rail is short.  I replaced the EZ turnouts with Atlas manual snap switches.  By using the included 1/3-18" section, they match up with EZ, you just have to build up a roadbed underneath.  Another advantage ot the Atlas is, because they are a 2/3-18" curve, you can use 2 - 1/3 18" pieces and transition back parallel with a closer track spacing.

I'm certainly no expert on turnouts, I just notice the Atlas is smoother with no  bumps or rumble.

It is usually advised that for a "block" system, you need 2 or 3 more sidings than the number of trains you plan to run.  Otherwise, one train is confined to the main line, and the others are confined to their perspective siding.  As an alternative, you can have a "staging" yard with many spurs to back into, all connected to the main lines, as Terry has shown.
Bo

Bojangle,

My question related to "S" curves NOT turnouts and other unrequested garbage.

Terry,

I noticed you made a comment about Bachmann turnouts.  I have four Bachmann crossovers.  I have exchanged them several times as they seem to be prone to derailment.  Based on your note, this appears to be a problem you are seeing with all the Bachmann turnouts.  If I am understanding your comments correctly (which I may not be), it doesn't appear there is much you can do to make the Bachmann work better.  It does sound like your idea of using Atlas turnouts might be a good option.  Could you use the Atlas track that already has the road bed and just cut off the plastic locking mechanism on the Atlas and EZ track ends? Let me know and feel free to clarify if I am misunderstanding anything.  Thanks!

I believe that Jonathan is somewhat confused. Appears that Bojangle was answering both Jon's question on 'S' and the question/comment about turnouts. Believe that could have been picked up when Bo had different paragraphs to answer those questions but was obviously missed by Jonathan.

The Duke....
A High C....

Jonathan,
There are an abundance of "S" curves on the pics above, depending on which direction I set the turnouts.
As for everybody else, you tell me. Sounds like you're just dying to jump in with your comments on the merits or non-merits of the "S" curve.

PDS -
It was Bojangle having trouble with the turnouts.

Terry,

You are correct, my fault.  Have you ever used the Bachmann Crossovers?  If so, have you had any trouble with trains derailing?

Terry,

No intent to jump in with anything. I was just asking.

Thanks.

Jonathan

Johathan:
Sorry you consider my input as "garbage". I have had a lot of experience with EZ track, but for your  benefit, I will contribute no further on this subject
Bo

One of the most common ways of setting up a short "S" curve is by using turnouts and not thinking of the pattern they can make.
Gene

Terry,

I wanted to share my thinking with you.

My "S" curve would consist of 3 or 4 pieces of 33 or 35 inch radius sections connected in an alternate pattern.  When complete it would remind you of a snake slithering along or a rail line thru the mountains next to a river gorge. This would be a mainline portion of a layout, not a siding configuration.

No problems with passenger cars derailing, straights can be added for visual effect.
You could even intermix different radii of track for some very uunusual curved sections. Oops, not prototypical for most to comprehend.

Be sure to post a picture of your development should you try this. By the way, I always wanted to use one piece of each radius track placed together to see what kind of ciurve was created and then, perhaps, reverse it to get a continuous loop. Health problems have stopped my experimentation at present unfortunately.

Well, I guess I did jump in. Oh well.

Best,

Jonathan

Great job again Terry!

Glad to see you're setting the groundwork for the next phase of the annual campaign to "FREE the 2" STRAIGHTS". (lol)

Derek

PDS - I've never used the crossovers.
Jonathan - I'm not doing any more experimenting for now. I'm sticking with my 4 scale Christmas layout and concentrating on working on the cars and locos.

Dear All,

Sorry about the resurrected thread.  Just seemed logical to put this here:

Terry's page 1 sketch (photo #13) entered into AnyRail:



Enjoy.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

Quote from: Jonathan MacCormack on June 26, 2007, 12:21:30 PM
My "S" curve would consist of 3 or 4 pieces of 33 or 35 inch radius sections connected in an alternate pattern.  When complete it would remind you of a snake slithering along or a rail line thru the mountains next to a river gorge. This would be a mainline portion of a layout, not a siding configuration.

No problems with passenger cars derailing, straights can be added for visual effect.
You could even intermix different radii of track for some very uunusual curved sections. Oops, not prototypical for most to comprehend.

Jonathon-

If you are talking about alternating the directions of your track from one track section to the next, regardless of the curvature or whether it's a siding or the mainline, you will have S-curves, pure and simple. You might get away with it if the curves are all up in the mid-30-inch range and your equipment is well maintained but I couldn't recommend that you do this. What you describe probably would look good on a huge layout with the room to pull it off (and with straight sections between the reverse curves), but it would be a tight fit on most home set-ups.

I will recommend something: we all try to leave our bad attitudes and disrespect somewhere else when we come on this site to talk with one another or try to solve problems. I strongly urge you to do the same.
                                                                                                         -- D

Don,

QuoteJonathon-

If you are talking about alternating the directions of your track from one track section to the next, regardless of the curvature or whether it's a siding or the mainline, you will have S-curves, pure and simple. You might get away with it if the curves are all up in the mid-30-inch range and your equipment is well maintained but I couldn't recommend that you do this. What you describe probably would look good on a huge layout with the room to pull it off (and with straight sections between the reverse curves), but it would be a tight fit on most home set-ups.

I will recommend something: we all try to leave our bad attitudes and disrespect somewhere else when we come on this site to talk with one another or try to solve problems. I strongly urge you to do the same.
                                                                                                         -- D

Good luck getting an answer as he has not logged in for almost 7 years.

Hence the warning in the other thread. 

Too funny....

Good looking ideas.

When using inclines, what do you do in curves when the over track is spanning between inclines?

Here's a couple of ideas for curves.

Thanks, Terry.

How do I get an ANYRAIL layout to fit into this message board?  I've exported it into Word to reduce the size, but it still won't go.  The file is too large.

Thanks for any help.

You can't load it directly to this web site. You have to upload it as a .bmp/.jpg/.png, etc. file to a site like Photobucket first. Then copy the image location URL (to the right of the picture in Photobucket) and paste than into your post between [i m g][/i m g] (without the spaces) tags here.

Len

Thanks.  I'll try it today.