The only regret I have with EZ-track is the noise.  After all your hard work you just hear running sounds over plastic.  One of the fundamentals of this hobby is laying track and everything else like scenery, scenic detail, etc is jeopardised when you have a noisy train running over it.  This is my hindsight by the way.  When I started this hobby I had no idea how far I would go but the fundamentals come back to the track that you put down.  My advice:  try to use as much flex track on a cork or quite roadbed as possible.  The building of your model is magic after that.

To All,

Thanks again for your help.  I was in Shanghai, China in 2008 when I started the project.  The only track available was from the local Bachmann shop and put the layout together with 22" and 18" EZ Track.  As mentioned from several posts the 22" curves did leave about an 1-1/2" to the edge of the layout and was quite OK considering the space.  Only regret was that the EZ Track was quite noisy despite being laid out on a 1/2" styrofoam base.  You guys have had some great posts and loved the "maybe was more fun when not so serious" [my paraphrase] comment.  I can think of so many times knocking off thinking it didn't come like I was thinking only to get up the next morning and saying "that's not so bad!!'  Great hobby.

Hi uncbob,

Trying to figure out how to upload images.  I had two tracks on my 4x8.  The outside main was with 22" curves and the inside local was a sort of dogbone twin reversing loop arrangement.  Any advice on how to upload images?

Just saw where Model Railroad Magazine is going to publish an article about installing a sound decoder in the Bachmann 44 Tonner and I am stoked.  I have 3 late model 44Ts and would love to have sound in them.  Has anyone in this forum had any success installing sound in the 44T?  Looks tight to me.

You guys have all been great.  Really admire your work.  I consider myself competent but often have days where I feel like amateur would be an improvement!  I was an original member of the SBRHS Santa Fe 3751 resoration project and got started in this recently with the purchase of a BLI 3751.  Blown away with the technology since I was a kid and got hooked.  Really like the Bachmann products.  Good runners always at a reasonable price.  Plus up until 2010 I was working in Shanghai and Bachmann had the only retail outlets in China and doing well.  Hats off.  Back on topic:  I have a 4x8 layout and I suppose it's about getting those few seconds of joy seeing the loco running on those few feet of track that don't bend it ridiculously out of shape that makes it worth it. 

Thanks to all.  Completely agree that prototypical 2-10-4 shouldn't be on 22" curve.  We all have to fudge sometimes.  I have limited space and just wanted to see the loco run sometimes.  Bachmann suggested 22" curves as minimum and this clearly is not possible so wanted to know if it was 'me' or does evryone have the same problem.  Bachmann needs to suggest realistic track arrangements.  Really wish I had a bigger layout.   Have retired this loco to the display case.  Thanks for all of your comments.

Hi All.

I have a Bachmann 2-10-4 Santa Fe loco that won't handle the Bachmann 22" EZ Track curves.  Beautiful loco.  Have installed Quantum Revolution A decoder at around $100 my cost.   Is it me or do others have same problem keeping the loco on 22" curves?