Is it possible to mix and match bachmanns ez track with flex and snap track? The reason that i’ve asked this question is that i’ve purchased a rather large assortment of RR equipment in HO scale. It has alot of these types of track with it. Some of it is nickle and some steel. Is it impractical to mix nickel and steel? What I was thinking was to cut off the ears of the easy track and build-up with cork to match with flex then ballist to the point of hiding the seams. I was also thinking of using 1/2 inch foam along the sides of the ez track and then using some sort of fill to cover the seam. I’am not sure what the code of the track is. I’ve not put a guage on it yet. The ez track is a mix of black and gray roadbed. I know that the difference in the two colors of roadbed represents nickel and steel railheads.
I think using the same track would be the best solution as it may be quite hard to get the track level and also you may have different codes of track for height. Steel also has a tendency to corrode more quickly (as others have posted) than the nickel silver. Trying to take shortcuts usually winds up being more of a headache than what it is worth. If you use various types, you may want to keep them together in case they don’t work out for easier replacement. Also voltage may be an issue but I am not experienced enough to answer that. There are some adapters that can be purchased to mix types of track. You may want to check that out.
I think using the same track would be the best solution as it may be quite hard to get the track level and also you may have different codes of track for height. Steel also has a tendency to corrode more quickly (as others have posted) than the nickel silver. Trying to take shortcuts usually winds up being more of a headache than what it is worth. If you use various types, you may want to keep them together in case they don’t work out for easier replacement. Also voltage may be an issue but I am not experienced enough to answer that. There are some adapters that can be purchased to mix types of track. You may want to check that out.
Dennis
All bachmann ex track is code 100.
Unfortunately the roadbed is not the same height as cork roadbed. You’ll have a hard time matching it up as the Bachmann track is much higher due to this.
I don’t see any reason not to mix track. You’ll have to shim the flex/snap track and as you have noted modify the end of the EZ track to get them to match up. Make the transition gradual. If possible, I would group the EZ track together to avoid the number of transition points. If the track codes are different you can get transition rail joiners or make your own. The rail profiles may not match, so you also may need to do a little filing at the joints to get a smooth rail joint. You can use steel and NS, but steel rusts and requires acid flux to solder. Personally, I would dump the steel.
Enjoy
Paul