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Discussion Boards => Thomas & Friends => Topic started by: Trainlover756 on January 03, 2009, 02:38:41 AM

Title: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Trainlover756 on January 03, 2009, 02:38:41 AM
I use Black E-Z Track. I like it, but it tends to be very bad in performance. I have black, but I am highly considering replacing it with some other track, because it performs badly. You have to constantly clean it, and around the curves, the track it self bends upward, and is uneven. I just wanted to know, why does it act like cheap track, and is NS E-Z track any better?
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 03, 2009, 02:58:22 PM
yes, nickel silver is the best track bachmann ever made. it does not oxidize like the steel alloy(black roadbed) but it tends to be spendy, i would suggest finding some on sale online
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 03, 2009, 04:02:09 PM
Nickel Silver? Nickel SILVER?! :o

Yeah, it's awesome,
you should invest in it. It's way more reliable then the Steel Alloy (Black Bedding). It last longer, oxidation doesn't occur that easily, it is also looks better with the gray bedding. So far, I'm having trouble with my fleet of Steel Alloy track, yet my Nickel Silver is much better. I would at least try it... :)

Good luck,
Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 03, 2009, 08:24:38 PM
i am an expert at replacing rails, i converted some atlas code 100 track and replace the steel alloy from the black roadbed. its difficult without taking off the plastic spikes.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Anthony P2 on January 03, 2009, 09:09:54 PM
i use the NS track. it's very reliable
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 03, 2009, 10:07:42 PM
Hey,
if you think Steel Alloy is unreliable, don't even mention B-R-A-S-S...

Who, what, where, why? I said nothing... :o

alex wittman,
I'm guessing you cement your rails to the bedding? Oh, does it look weird when it's cemented; if it is cemented?

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 03, 2009, 10:19:08 PM
no cementing, i just slide the old steel rail out from under the spikes, and put in the NS atlas track in under the spikes, i started this adjustment when i started my 4x8 layout after the track test. kind of easy
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 03, 2009, 11:02:00 PM
Huh,
That's pretty cool, I'll try that right now! *Almost shuts down computer before adding name at end*
Oh yeah-

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 04, 2009, 12:07:50 AM
but be very careful, those spikes come off easily, its okay if they come off some ties but if they all come off, then you are in mess of trouble.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 04, 2009, 01:59:20 PM
The spikes and the ties weren't any trouble, just when it slipped and Mr. Thumb was in a pain... No blood though. Heck of a lot painful. I'll stick to buying Nickel Silver instead... Thank though, I was able to paint my railroad Ties and Spikes to look extremely realistic.

Thanks though,

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 04, 2009, 02:59:09 PM
okay, thats good, happens to me too, but ther is a lot of ways to get nickel silver track, either you can buy true track from atlas, it is code 83 track with brown ties and removable roadbed
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ThomasFan247 on January 04, 2009, 09:04:23 PM
Quote from: Trainlover756 on January 03, 2009, 02:38:41 AM
I use Black E-Z Track. I like it, but it tends to be very bad in performance. I have black, but I am highly considering replacing it with some other track, because it performs badly. You have to constantly clean it, and around the curves, the track it self bends upward, and is uneven. I just wanted to know, why does it act like cheap track, and is NS E-Z track any better?
I have the same track but I don't always have to clean it. Before cleaning it adjust the position of the track & try it. That's what I have to do sometimes.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Michael on January 05, 2009, 01:27:01 AM
I suggest saving up and buying the NS track from bachmann.   It would be more easier and free of risk of killing your track. 
Quote from: alex wittman on January 04, 2009, 02:59:09 PM
okay, thats good, happens to me too, but ther is a lot of ways to get nickel silver track, either you can buy true track from atlas, it is code 83 track with brown ties and removable roadbed
EDIT:  He has a good idea.  I use it and I am using it again for my 3rd layout w/out the ballast.  Code 83 has brown ties and you might have to clean it once in a while, but its better than scrubbing everytime you use it!  lol
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 05, 2009, 08:07:29 PM
Nickel silver is better, yeah. The steel rail track gets too dirty, too fast, especially if left plugged in. And the black roadbed is more prone to warping, for some reason.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 08, 2009, 11:00:57 PM
Oh yah,
Atlas True-Track is pretty cool. 8) I thought that was neat, but I'll stick with E-Z track! ;) I use regular Atlas for smaller lines...

Hasta luego!

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 08, 2009, 11:31:30 PM
i will stay with bachmann track, it is easy because it has the roadbed and you can glue ballast on there, and switches are easy because the machines don't stick out like atlas true-track, i really love bachmann track.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: StanierJack on January 09, 2009, 02:33:34 AM
I use Peco code 75 OO track for my layout. Doesn't have the silly plastic ballast E-Z that does have...
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 09, 2009, 11:22:53 AM
Can you spare a picture?

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: alex wittman on January 09, 2009, 07:57:56 PM
that is a good idea, then you can make a crossing with narrow and standard like at the warf.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 09, 2009, 11:35:37 PM
You can put proper ballast ON E-Z track. Won't take as much either. :D
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: StanierJack on January 10, 2009, 06:57:25 AM
Quote from: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 09, 2009, 11:35:37 PM
You can put proper ballast ON E-Z track. Won't take as much either. :D

But it looks less realistic...

The moulded base is kinda silly if you ask me. Only good for a floor layout...
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Santa Fe buff on January 10, 2009, 12:08:43 PM
...A floor layout is what I had before I got my board up. That's why I have E-Z track, also, my lines are going to be fairly cover a lot with ballast, so I doubt you'll be able to see all of the ties anyway.

But Jack has a point...

Oh well, different strokes for different folks!

Josh
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: StanierJack on January 10, 2009, 02:43:35 PM
Never have I seen a good layout with E-Z track, no offense.

I'd rather spend a day ballasting half of my track than 5 minutes assembling a rtr one...
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 10, 2009, 10:29:34 PM
Not even this one?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery.php?set_albumName=album14&include=view_album.php&page=10 (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery.php?set_albumName=album14&include=view_album.php&page=10)
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: StanierJack on January 10, 2009, 11:37:48 PM
Quote from: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 10, 2009, 10:29:34 PM
Not even this one?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery.php?set_albumName=album14&include=view_album.php&page=10 (http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/gallery.php?set_albumName=album14&include=view_album.php&page=10)

No actually as E-Z track base raises the level of ballast.

Besides, Peco stuff is more readily available here
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Michael J. Caboose on January 12, 2009, 01:32:31 PM
Sorry, I don't quite understand that logic.

I use Bachmann track along with my regular Atlas flextrack, and when they are ballasted together, there is no evidence of the EZ track being there. The ballast isn't higher on the EZ than on the flextrack. If paired with cork or foam roadbed, you shouldn't have any issues with rail height.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Billbarman on January 25, 2009, 07:55:21 PM
EZ track is good for one reason, if oyur on carpet the hair dosnt get into your trains... but it has relaly abd connection TBH, I wouldent sue it for a perminant layout but its alright for what I have now...
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 26, 2009, 01:30:26 PM
Um, you wouldn't sue it? ???
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Chessie Sys. 3022 on January 26, 2009, 06:24:51 PM
Quote from: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 26, 2009, 01:30:26 PM
Um, you wouldn't sue it? ???

He wouldn't use it. Honestly people, is it really that hard to spell things right, or proofread your posts? It gets rid of a LOT of confusion...
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: ZeldaTheSwordsman on January 26, 2009, 08:33:59 PM
I know. I was trying to be tactful.
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Rangerover on January 26, 2009, 09:15:54 PM
I have to chime in here.....normally don't come this thread, but I am a MRR'R and 64 years old. I have used some steel track back in the 50's to the 70's, along with NS and yes even brass track. I packed it all away in the mid 70's. I was married with 3 small children at the time. We moved and the layout was not put up until 3 years ago when I retired. I didn't realize how far MRR has come with DCC and all the beautiful detailed rolling stock, pricey, but it always was even the old analog loco's at my time was expensive even @ $9.99 in the 70's trying to raise a family. any how I jumped into DCC with a vengeance. I bought the Bachmann track and used it both NS and steel and even some of my older track that was stored for 35 years. The NS and Brass was more corroded than the steel, which only had Zinc oxide dust and a tiny bit of rust where the connectors were. Now I've been running my DCC trains on the Bachmann steel and NS track for 3 years DCC, I have had no problem whatsoever with it, they run smooth and uninterrupted. I clean the track with Flitz or Maas polish once every six months and that's all. I use no abrasives whatsoever and never have, not even bright boy. Any abrasive, and I don't care how fine the grit, it will leave fine scratch marks that will collect dirt, dust, bits of plastic and steel. oil and grease. I've read on other sites about guys using NS and having a problem especially in DCC, that they have to clean their tracks every time they run trains. I believe it's all in what they are cleaning it with. Like I said I use the Bachmann steel and have not had a problem whatsoever!
Title: Re: E-Z Track Un-Reliable?
Post by: Jordan Shepis on February 25, 2009, 03:50:22 PM
I agree, I like the silver track better ;), the black track gets too filthy.  :P