Permanent EZ track layouts

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I know a couple of people have mentioned before that they have a “permanent” layout done with Bachmann’s EZ Track. Can you guys post pics of what it looks like once it’s ballasted and sceniced? Some people don’t believe that it can be done and look nice and realistic.

Thanks!!
Kevin

2

Choose your ballast carefully for size and colour, but also for general “sanitation”. It must be free of dust, silt, salt, and magnetic material that might rise up into your loco works as it passes overhead.

I added a very light layer, say 1/4" thick at the shoulders. You should only have to tidy up the foot of the berm here and there with a fine brush. Inside the rails, just enough to cover the plastic base, and brush it away from the rail flange-path. Glue, and then run a heavy burnt umber and black and medium grey wash between the rails and out to the ends of the ties.

I will answer more questions if you have them.

3

I don’t like the sound of that, seems it would be a bit inflexable…I’d much rather use flextrack. What are the advantages, other than not really having to lay it?
Matthew

4

Kevin,
While I’m sure it can be done and made to look nice what about when the trains run? What about the sound of that hollow plastic EZ track roadbed? What about all those rail joints that could fail to keep the current flowing in a reliable manner? And trains don’t look good jerking into an un-eased curve no matter how well done everything else is. Un-eased curves have the potential be chronic problem locations. Bruce

5

Very true, it is inflexible. It is all a matter of assigning priorities. I will most definitely use flex next time for better curves and more flexibility in design.

6

I’m using it right now because my layout is anything but permanent. It’s actually on the floor at the moment and changes design from week to week. When I go perm, I was thinking of just keeping it. I know flex isn’t that expensive, but I can’t justify throwing out that much money (even though I got a great deal). I’ve heard that it can be ballasted and have it still look realistic (as far as code 100 track goes).

Thanks Selector for actually posting a photo. Personally, I can’t tell that it’s EZ track.

Anyone else have examples?

7

There have been post’s complaining about Bachmann’s EZ track here. I would suggest you ‘open it up’ to ALL BRAND’s of combination-roadbed & track, such as ATLAS, LIFE LIKE, and KATO.