Opinions on this set of track?
- Thread starter RockPython
- Start date
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TaeOH
or just Tom...
I was tempted to reply to your complete noob thread, but I am noobish myself so I decided to let the more senior members respond.
But apart of that response was to tell you what I consider the mistakes I have made already. I think buying Bachmann sets was one of them. They make the least expensive sets, but you get what you pay for. People speak highly of their Spectrum line of engines in HO, but I have no experience with them.
I was trying to figure out whether I wanted to do HO or N and bought some starter sets. One was a Bachmann N set and the other an HO set that came with the EZ Command. I also purchased a Life Like set, but that was something special that I don't regret (plus the LL engine that came with it is not bad). The Bachmann N set is not good, the engine sucks. But I still liked the EZ track till I spent more money on expensive N remote turnouts in EZ track. In my opinion they are poorly engineered. That is when I stopped buying anymore Bachmann EZ track in N scale.
The HO set came with a manual turnout and overall it looks a bit more stable than the N turnout, so the remote turnouts might be OK in HO. Still I don't like the Bachmann DCC engine that came with the set and have never felt like setting it up a second time, so I did not go down the path of expanding that track. Overall I was fairly disenchanted.
What I was looking for was temporary track, stuff I could set up on carpet or whatever to run some trains for a bit, but then tear down again. The EZ track seemed ideal, but I was having too many problems with it that I almost gave up on the idea altogether. Then I came across thread discussions on Unitrack in other forums and even started one of my own that got great response. Everyone said Kato Unitrack is very high quality, so I took a chance on a Master 2 set in N. I could not be happier, I am having a blast with my trains now and I have decided N is what I will model in, I was leaning toward it anyway and the Unitrack gave me the ability to see what fun could be had in N down the line when I start building the permanent layout, but I could still have fun in a more modest temp layout for now.
If I had to do it all over again, I would buy the Santa Fe Super Chief Starter Set from Kato and go from there.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/kat-106-0016.htm
You will get what you need to start having fun now while you research and find your vision, plus you get a really nice N scale Engine and 3 passenger cars. I have that engine now and it is really nice, I am using it for ghetto freight service till I can start collecting the passenger cars. I bought a Master 2 set, which has a passing siding too, plus the rerailer, powerpack, and turnout controls...just no trains. I can vouch for the quality. I ended up buying more Kato products at a train show this weekend because of how impressed I am with them.
If you choose to stay with HO, I would seriously recommend looking a Atlas starter sets, they have some trackbed track too, but I think the trackbed is removable if you wish to switch to more traditional roadbed later on. I have no experience with them, but I would shy away from the inexpensive Bachmann sets based upon my own experience. Since you are planning a 4x8 anyway, why not just get Atlas track and do the roadbed yourself, or are you looking for something more temporary like I was? Learn how to do Flex track now if this 4x8 will remain up all the time.
But apart of that response was to tell you what I consider the mistakes I have made already. I think buying Bachmann sets was one of them. They make the least expensive sets, but you get what you pay for. People speak highly of their Spectrum line of engines in HO, but I have no experience with them.
I was trying to figure out whether I wanted to do HO or N and bought some starter sets. One was a Bachmann N set and the other an HO set that came with the EZ Command. I also purchased a Life Like set, but that was something special that I don't regret (plus the LL engine that came with it is not bad). The Bachmann N set is not good, the engine sucks. But I still liked the EZ track till I spent more money on expensive N remote turnouts in EZ track. In my opinion they are poorly engineered. That is when I stopped buying anymore Bachmann EZ track in N scale.
The HO set came with a manual turnout and overall it looks a bit more stable than the N turnout, so the remote turnouts might be OK in HO. Still I don't like the Bachmann DCC engine that came with the set and have never felt like setting it up a second time, so I did not go down the path of expanding that track. Overall I was fairly disenchanted.
What I was looking for was temporary track, stuff I could set up on carpet or whatever to run some trains for a bit, but then tear down again. The EZ track seemed ideal, but I was having too many problems with it that I almost gave up on the idea altogether. Then I came across thread discussions on Unitrack in other forums and even started one of my own that got great response. Everyone said Kato Unitrack is very high quality, so I took a chance on a Master 2 set in N. I could not be happier, I am having a blast with my trains now and I have decided N is what I will model in, I was leaning toward it anyway and the Unitrack gave me the ability to see what fun could be had in N down the line when I start building the permanent layout, but I could still have fun in a more modest temp layout for now.
If I had to do it all over again, I would buy the Santa Fe Super Chief Starter Set from Kato and go from there.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product_p/kat-106-0016.htm
You will get what you need to start having fun now while you research and find your vision, plus you get a really nice N scale Engine and 3 passenger cars. I have that engine now and it is really nice, I am using it for ghetto freight service till I can start collecting the passenger cars. I bought a Master 2 set, which has a passing siding too, plus the rerailer, powerpack, and turnout controls...just no trains. I can vouch for the quality. I ended up buying more Kato products at a train show this weekend because of how impressed I am with them.
If you choose to stay with HO, I would seriously recommend looking a Atlas starter sets, they have some trackbed track too, but I think the trackbed is removable if you wish to switch to more traditional roadbed later on. I have no experience with them, but I would shy away from the inexpensive Bachmann sets based upon my own experience. Since you are planning a 4x8 anyway, why not just get Atlas track and do the roadbed yourself, or are you looking for something more temporary like I was? Learn how to do Flex track now if this 4x8 will remain up all the time.
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It depends
That is how our family got started with the hobby. The EZ-track was easy to use and reliable. It was enough for these three kids (me and my two sons) to get completely hooked.
Our ambition to build eventually exceeded the EZ track's ability to support our ideas. When you build an elaborate layount (and based on the fact you are poking around this forum - I suspect eventually you will), the single radius option (18") and fixed track lengths can be pretty restrictive. This is a problem if the space you have does not match the space EZ track needs. Also I understand some of the really big engines have a tough time on the 18" radius (though I never had a problem).
We used EZ track in the railyard (which is against the wall and under the bridge in our layout, I clipped the video links below) and transitioned it back to regular track on cork. While I am not 100% happy how it looks, it still works. It was a little tricky to integrate as well.
Given the fact I have kids, it was a great way run trains while the table was under construction (what they have in energy, they lack in patience
). So I would not discourage or encourage you to buy it. The other thing is you can sometimes find big lots of the stuff on ebay, make sure you don't pay to much.
Episode I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbDJDfI7wVE
Episode II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEssEmMIuwo
That is how our family got started with the hobby. The EZ-track was easy to use and reliable. It was enough for these three kids (me and my two sons) to get completely hooked.
Our ambition to build eventually exceeded the EZ track's ability to support our ideas. When you build an elaborate layount (and based on the fact you are poking around this forum - I suspect eventually you will), the single radius option (18") and fixed track lengths can be pretty restrictive. This is a problem if the space you have does not match the space EZ track needs. Also I understand some of the really big engines have a tough time on the 18" radius (though I never had a problem).
We used EZ track in the railyard (which is against the wall and under the bridge in our layout, I clipped the video links below) and transitioned it back to regular track on cork. While I am not 100% happy how it looks, it still works. It was a little tricky to integrate as well.
Given the fact I have kids, it was a great way run trains while the table was under construction (what they have in energy, they lack in patience
). So I would not discourage or encourage you to buy it. The other thing is you can sometimes find big lots of the stuff on ebay, make sure you don't pay to much. Episode I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbDJDfI7wVE
Episode II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEssEmMIuwo
RockPython
A Squid in a Shark Tank
I appreciate all your answers. Gino- Nice Vids! Is that "Flogging Molly" in the background?
I am looking to do a "Semi-permanent" set up. I want to get stuff that can be upgraded as my knowledge does. My cash flow is slow, but steady so I want to be able to run a train while I build. Flexi track seems like it might be the way for me. Other than the fact that you need to clip the inside track is it easy for a rookie like me to learn to use?
Aytrane- Nice catch... Hmmmmmm
I am looking to do a "Semi-permanent" set up. I want to get stuff that can be upgraded as my knowledge does. My cash flow is slow, but steady so I want to be able to run a train while I build. Flexi track seems like it might be the way for me. Other than the fact that you need to clip the inside track is it easy for a rookie like me to learn to use?
Aytrane- Nice catch... Hmmmmmm
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Larry
Long Winded Old Fart
I think the price you are getting from that Hub Hobby is way to high. You need to check other sources if that is what you are going to buy. There's many on line places to buy from & other Hobby shops around.
You can't run any long engines on those curves. Check out some Flex track for better service.
Larry
You can't run any long engines on those curves. Check out some Flex track for better service.
Larry
RockPython
A Squid in a Shark Tank
I'm kinda all over the musical board... I will have to look that up I liked that sound!
Thanks!
Rocky
Thanks!
Rocky
Selector
Well-Known Member
I haven't looked at any links, so I am just giving generic advice...EZ Track is a fine product, but it doesn't look very realistic if you leave it the way it goes down. An important second point is that the turnouts, although very costly, are also very difficult to get working properly, and they don't have the greatest quality control. If you would like the quick and easy of the curves and tangents of the EZ-Track type, I would not discourage that, especially if you are willing to pay for it and to lightly ballast and weather it to look more realistic (remember, this is a modeler's opinion...not gospel by any means!).
But I would strongly urge you to use other turnouts...Atlas or Peco, Central Valley, or make your own...because the EZ-Track ones simply take too much darned work to get them to work well and reliably.
Some trains sets have decent engines in them...but I am unable to say which. I have read some threads where the consensus was that a few are actually quite good. A few.... When someone asks me for advice as a newcomer to the hobby, I tell them that a good engine, up front, should be THE first purchase. If you do it right, and it hurts when you pay for it..a bit.. everything else flows from that commitment and excitement. You have to get on with everything else, and get it right.
My two cents.
But I would strongly urge you to use other turnouts...Atlas or Peco, Central Valley, or make your own...because the EZ-Track ones simply take too much darned work to get them to work well and reliably.
Some trains sets have decent engines in them...but I am unable to say which. I have read some threads where the consensus was that a few are actually quite good. A few.... When someone asks me for advice as a newcomer to the hobby, I tell them that a good engine, up front, should be THE first purchase. If you do it right, and it hurts when you pay for it..a bit.. everything else flows from that commitment and excitement. You have to get on with everything else, and get it right.
My two cents.
I started with the Kato Basic set in N scale
I started with the Kato Basic oval with power pack set, much cheaper, better quality, bachman has never been good, they just don't last. I have three santa fe diesels that just won't run from Bachman. My Kato stuff is top notch, and you can set it up on carpet or wood, I have it as my base track on my layout and have had no problems adding to it and finding track for it. It comes with the roadbed attached and looks realistic until you ballast it.
Of course this is if you are going for N scale, I am not familiar with thier HO stuff, but I am sure it is as high quality. The Kato track is code 80 I believe and looks great and snaps together perfectly. THe turnouts come with the wires for hooking up the electrical and you can buy extensions to reach to the power pack, all in aal very satisfied, they even make a transition track from Kato to atlas track. Hope this helps.
I started with the Kato Basic oval with power pack set, much cheaper, better quality, bachman has never been good, they just don't last. I have three santa fe diesels that just won't run from Bachman. My Kato stuff is top notch, and you can set it up on carpet or wood, I have it as my base track on my layout and have had no problems adding to it and finding track for it. It comes with the roadbed attached and looks realistic until you ballast it.
Of course this is if you are going for N scale, I am not familiar with thier HO stuff, but I am sure it is as high quality. The Kato track is code 80 I believe and looks great and snaps together perfectly. THe turnouts come with the wires for hooking up the electrical and you can buy extensions to reach to the power pack, all in aal very satisfied, they even make a transition track from Kato to atlas track. Hope this helps.
Basically....... the regular track is ok. Some QC problems, but it functions and it's available in larger radiuses than the standard 18 and 22". The switches however are junk. QC really all over the place.
I currently run my trains on the floor - and I have over a scale mile of main line run (HO). The main line is all Kato Unitrack, which is above and away the best of the integrated roadbed/track stuff out there. And the most expensive. Bachmann track is everywhere and cheap - it has that going for it. Kato you may not be able to just buy off the shelf, most dealers don't carry it or at least don't carry the full line.
I have a staging yard / passenger terminal that I made from Bachmann track. I figured that I could get by with it because the trains wouldn't be running on it continuously. You can hear when a train moves from Kato to Bachmann track, it goes from smooth and nearly silent to a clattery sound. I'm not sure why, but it's instant. My Walthers passenger cars short out in the Bachmann turnouts, some derail, even Genesis F units want to pick the points. One of the three was way worse than the others so I replaced it, which helped. But basically I can run a train anywhere on my Kato track, forward, backward, whatever, and not worry about it. If I'm backing a train onto the Bachmann track, I have to babysit it and watch it very carefully.
That said, the Bachmann will get you going... probably. I'd just hate to see someone get frustrated with derailments just starting out. If I had to make a recommendation, it would be to start with a small setup of Bachmann and please, please don't pay too much for it. It's rock bottom stuff and you should be able to buy it deeply discounted. When you start to get more sophisticated and want a permanent layout, go with Atlas track or Micro Engineering, or Peco or - if you want to stay with the sectional roadbed integrated stuff, Kato is really the only good game there. My "Kato Carpet Level Route" covers three rooms and a hall, has four #6 switches controlled by DCC, and several more manually operated switches, a passing siding, a freight yard, loop with 90-degree crossing, and a staging yard. All but the 4-track, 3-switch staging yard is made of Kato Unitrack. Last night I was running a 45 car freight with 3 locos, and two Exactrail Vertapac cars on the front end of the train.... 3 hours, no derailments, no uncouplings. I did change the Verties over to body mount couplers (instead of swingers) however.
Andy
I currently run my trains on the floor - and I have over a scale mile of main line run (HO). The main line is all Kato Unitrack, which is above and away the best of the integrated roadbed/track stuff out there. And the most expensive. Bachmann track is everywhere and cheap - it has that going for it. Kato you may not be able to just buy off the shelf, most dealers don't carry it or at least don't carry the full line.
I have a staging yard / passenger terminal that I made from Bachmann track. I figured that I could get by with it because the trains wouldn't be running on it continuously. You can hear when a train moves from Kato to Bachmann track, it goes from smooth and nearly silent to a clattery sound. I'm not sure why, but it's instant. My Walthers passenger cars short out in the Bachmann turnouts, some derail, even Genesis F units want to pick the points. One of the three was way worse than the others so I replaced it, which helped. But basically I can run a train anywhere on my Kato track, forward, backward, whatever, and not worry about it. If I'm backing a train onto the Bachmann track, I have to babysit it and watch it very carefully.
That said, the Bachmann will get you going... probably. I'd just hate to see someone get frustrated with derailments just starting out. If I had to make a recommendation, it would be to start with a small setup of Bachmann and please, please don't pay too much for it. It's rock bottom stuff and you should be able to buy it deeply discounted. When you start to get more sophisticated and want a permanent layout, go with Atlas track or Micro Engineering, or Peco or - if you want to stay with the sectional roadbed integrated stuff, Kato is really the only good game there. My "Kato Carpet Level Route" covers three rooms and a hall, has four #6 switches controlled by DCC, and several more manually operated switches, a passing siding, a freight yard, loop with 90-degree crossing, and a staging yard. All but the 4-track, 3-switch staging yard is made of Kato Unitrack. Last night I was running a 45 car freight with 3 locos, and two Exactrail Vertapac cars on the front end of the train.... 3 hours, no derailments, no uncouplings. I did change the Verties over to body mount couplers (instead of swingers) however.
Andy
The E-Z track itself is fine, especially for a semi-permanant layout like yours, Rocky. I have some on my layout and it looks very good when it's properly ballasted. As has been said by others. the switches are both expensive and don't work well at all. You can spend a fair amount of time tinkering with them to get an acceptable level of performance but the best thing to do is get better switches to begin with. Bachmann makes a transition track so you can you use non E-Z track and that's what I would get and use at least Atlas #6 switches if you have the room.
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