Ok new guy N-scale track questions

Ok first let me say my only train experience is with large Lionel trains when I was a kid in the early 70’s and that was very limited. Now my wife bought me an N-scale train set (Bachmann Yard Boss)
This is going to be a Christmas/winter scene that will be added to a little every year. It’s is going to be slow possess but I figure I better have some kind of a master plan before I start to avoid problems in the future.
I have an area of about 2’ x 4’ to work with and I would like to get a continuous loop and go around twice, with as much elevation, bridges ,tunnels etc..
The first thing I noticed is my train comes with E-Z track but it takes up almost the entire width to make a 180 turn.. Is this stuff available in tighter radiuses?
I have seen some very nice 2 x 4 layouts on you tube and they seem to turn a lot tighter than my track.
Also I have seen some diagrams for track layouts but how do you interpret them into exactly what pieces you need… or in other words how do you do the math to make everything fit..
I am a complete novice so please excuse my questions if they seem silly and thank you for reading, any and all input welcome

 

Tonga
first of all, welcome!
as for N Scale track, different manufacturers makes different kinds of track.
Basically there are three kinds of track
1. sectional (individual pieces with rails and ties)
2. sectional with roadbed (gray plastic) added -- like the E-Z track you note
3. flex track (usually in 30-36" lengths) -- this can be made into any radius curve (within reason)
I cannot assure agreement on this, but the major track manufacturers are:
Atlas
Peco
Kato
Atlas makes all 3 kinds, some of those in different size rail (referred to as code, i.e., code 80, code 65, code 55)
<> their sectional comes in code 80 and 55
<> their E-Z like track in code 65
<> their flex track in code 80 and 55
Peco (having a more European look in tie size and spacing) makes various code track, but all in sectional (i do not recall them making flex track but i could be in error on that)
Kato makes sectional track with roadbed (like the E-Z track) and i believe their rail would be code 80
In sectional track and E-Z like track (with roadbed) the radius of curve (and thus the space for a 180° turn) begins with 9-3/4 and depending on the manufacturer can extend up into the 20's in inches.
The smaller the radius the more limited in terms of
1. length of locomotives and cars (usually only 4 axles and 40 ft cars)
2. difficulty with derailments
3. unpleasing to the eye
A medium radius track would be about 15 inches but some suggest no smaller than 20-something inches (depending on whether one is running large steam locomotives and long passenger cars)
The advantage of track with roadbed (like the E-Z track) is that it functions well in holding together and provides a more finished look just as it is.
Many swear by Kato UniTrack...I use this for my under the tree Christmas layout--it comes in varying radius curved sectional and various length straight sectional, along with turnouts (switch tracks)
Kato UniTrack can get pricey but for smaller layouts, with the advantages of ease of operation and better looking track with the roadbed in place, it is generally worth it (in my opinion)
I have never used the Atlas track that is like the E-Z Track (with the roadbed attached) so I cannot comment on it.
I use Atlas code 55 for my permanent layout employing flex track wherever I am able, but also using the larger of the radius when possible (17.5", 18.75", 20", 21.25")
In so much as you mention a twice around and may be planning to have parallel track I would mention the spacing between track that is layed parallel to one another
Atlas (as noted immediately above) makes curved track to maintain at least a 1.25 inch spacing from track center to track center
Kato (if I recall correctly) has their curved radius in increments of 1.3 inches
Again, I have not used Peco so I cannot comment on that track
I hope what you find here is useful
Above all, enjoy!
And, again, welcome...
Gary L Lake Dillensnyder

 

Welcome and your Bachmann Easy track should be able to accomplish what your looking to do.
And one of the best parts about sectional track which EZ Track is. That you can just simply lay it down with no fuss and see if what is in your mind works.
SO relax read around and ask questions when they arise

 

Tank you for all the information it looks like a lot to take in… from looking at my box it says my set comes with 11 pieces of curved track + 1 plug in curve piece making a 24” circle? The back of the box also shows other layouts other layouts and they refer to all of the curved sections as 11.25 radius?

 

There is also Micro Engineering (ME), Flieischmann, Shinohara, and Life-like/Walthers.

Atlas's version of "EZ Track" is called Tru-track.

Peco does make flex. Peco does code 55 and 80.

ME does code 40, 55, and 70.

Never dealt with Flieischmann or Shinohara, so no real help there.

And Life-like/Walthers makes a similar product to Bachmann.

As for the EZ-track, many will advise against it in the future. Its very limited in what type of pieces you can get, and from what I've heard, Bachmann molds it slightly under gauge. So if you use the NMRA gauge to set your wheels, they will be too wide for the narrow Bachmann track.

 

I highly recommend nothing less the 11" Radius curves. That way you are assured that all engines and rolling stock will stay on the track.

 

OK First Problem
Ok I have added six 5” sections of strait track making my layout a oval,,, my train ran flawless on this track for days then today my engine (Yard Boss 6 large wheels nothing more) started to kick the front wheels off the track as it enters the strait track, it makes a clicking noise as it runs down the strait then when it enters the turn it pulls the wheels back on ans runs smooth,

 

ok the grandson somehow fixed this ,,, train is running true……now back to figuring out a layout and what track to run.

 

Visit my trackplan page at http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm ; you'll find plenty of 2x4 layouts, including some twice-arounds, along with Atlas' old Right Track software that can tell you how many track pieces are needed to build any given layout.

 

Thanks I will check itout