My newbie son-in-law wants to build a HO layout using Bachmann E-Z track. Is this stuff any good? Do you suggest the nickle or steel? He only has space for a 36" x 80" hollow door, so curves are another issue.
I used it for a part of my layout, actually a single line on a shelf going to staging. It’s good, I’ve heard the turnouts aren’t that good but I’ve never tried them so can’t comment. It’s good and reliable.
Atlas’ version looks better - ballast strip is more realistic, and it’s code 83 instead of code 100 - but is much more limited in what you can get.
I’d maybe try to get your son-in-law interested in N scale if that’s all the room he has though, a LOT of HO equipment will not go around a curve sharper than 18", and on the space he has he would have to use 15" radius curves. By contrast in N 15" is a very broad curve.
Get the nickel-silver stuff. They both oxidize, but the oxidization on the nickel-silver is conductive, whereas the steel isn’t conductive.
It is pure JUNK!!!
Use ANYTHING but E-Z CRAP!!!
I use Bachmann E-Z track ( nickel silver ) for my HO and N scale trains. I like it !!
Stan.
I used Bachmann E-Z track all the time for a few years before I got my layout. It’s good track. It snaps together and stays together, it can be used on carpet without problems, and the nickle-silver track with the gray roadbed looks good. The only problem is, because the roadbed is plastic, it amplifies the noise of whatever’s on it.
I have in the past used e-z track for the entire layout. I purchased the #5 switches which arrived broke or would frequently derail. I broke down and laid my own track the results were much better, and I do not consider myself skilled. !8" radius curves are not the best idea. I really liked the look of e-z track, but the performance isn’t there. I didn’t care for the frustrations.
I’m just getting started in this model railroad thing. I’m using ez-track and like it. I believe there are a number of limitations to this track that would prevent it’s use in more professional or complex track layouts but for a beginner it works.
I have 5 remote switches and they all work fine. i did have one not work out of the box but I returned it and had no problem with the replacement.
I didn’t know any better and bought a fair bit of it, including the electro-snap #5’s. I wouldn’t have a layout without it all, but I will not use it again. It is a stop-gap, or a step towards laying flex and making your own turnouts, if you can bring yourself to do that. The results are so much better.
Bottom line, get “some”…like enough to play a bit while you are doing the work that you will count on over the long run. IMO.