I have done some searching on the board here but cannot find much about the Bachmann track..... I know there are much better quality and more expensive tracks out there, but I am looking for something affordable, especially more affordable than Unitrack. Is Bachmann track readily available with enough of a selection to setup a decent layout? Anybody have any input on this track or any experience with it? I'm looking for something that is readily available, cheap, durable, with enough of a track selection to do more than just a basic layout. My layout would more than likely not be permanent and although I would like have a realistic looking layout I am willing to ballast and paint the track to add to the realism of it. I was originally planning on attempting to hand lay Atlas flex track with coark roadbed but am looking for more of something that i could lay and change the layout more easily... Any comments would be appreciated!!!
Many years ago in the early/mid nineties, I got back into N scale and used bachman track. Save the headache and go with unitrack. The bachman trunouts are unreliable. The track is not as versital. Do what you want. I'm sure some will tell you bachman is great. I don't comment in N often because I am into Z, but I will always try and give good advise. Buying new track after you invested in Bachman will be expensive. I would advise anybody to get kato if sectional track is what you want.
I highly recommend using anything other than EZ track. As JoeS said, save yourself the headache. Go with either Unitrack or Atlas True-Track if you want the molded roadbed, or go with Atlas Snap-track, which is even cheaper than EZ, if you can lay cork/foam roadbed. Great track will let a locomotive show its true colors, however bad track will make even the best locomotives operate poorly. EZ track falls into the latter category.
Jolio, I used to have Peco code 80 N gauge track, mostly their flexible variety "Streamline" with insulated frogs but some section track as well "Setrack". It's nowhere near as reliable as Kato Unitrack, which is what I now use. Price for price, remember Kato comes with ballast in place, point motors in the ballast, and feeder tracks. Both makes do a scissors crossing - that odd device that has four points (turnouts or switches if you prefer those terms - and many do!) and a crossing. Last time I looked at the prices, Kato was about 40GBP complete, and it needs only one point control, while the Peco was 55GBP, plus the cost of ballast, plus the cost of four motors and their controllers. As others have commented above, don't waste time or money on other makes of track, go straight to Unitrack! Regards, Pete Davies
I use Bachmann EZ track on my layout and I rarely have problems. As the others have stated though, the switches are fragile and unreliable. The joiners come loose much easier, and the roadbed is is anything but stable. It is a major step up for Life Like's powerloc track, which uses, cheap, thin little brass tabs to make contact, powerloc falls apart much easier, and is in some instances a little more expensive. I've been planning on switching to kato unitrack and upgrading the size of my curves for some time now, but I dont have near the money I need to replace all of the track on the layout.:tb-biggrin:
Maybe I missed it, but you don't mention which scale this is for. I've used EZ track in HO and while I agree it is not a versatile as Kato, it isn't bad. If you're looking at 22" radius curves and such then it should work well for you. The switches are another matter, I've never used them. I've only ever had it used as a loop or in a hybrid scenario with normal switches. One of the advantages of EZ track is that many hobby shops carry loose pieces of it just as they carry loose snap track.
It is going to be for a N-scale layout. So the subtle vibe I'm getting , is to bite the bullet now and pay more up front for the better quality track and in turn have better looking, more sturdy, better operating and general less of a headache throughout the longrun... Got it, will be looking into the Unitrack! Thank you guys for the input, it is much apppreciated!! Joel
You wont be disappointed at all! In fact, let me send you a PM real quick. Someone has some extra Unitrack laying around that they dont need anymore.
Wow!! Looks like someone, ;-) , is willing to help me get my Unitrack laying underway!!! Can't believe it, looks like i'll be getting some Unitrack sooner than I thought! How cool is that?! It really speaks volumes about the type of people that are into this hobby and about the people here on the Trainboard!! Can't thank you enough Mark, for this bump in the right direction!!
You won't regret it! Once you get that Unitrack up & running...(in a "snap", by the way :tb-cool You'll wonder why you waited & never look back.
Sweet! I am excited to get my track, I can't wait to get underway building my own railroad empire! wink:
Well let me say its official I am through spending money on EZ-track. Tired of all the headaches and problems. From here on its going to be Kato Unitrack for me. wish me luck.
On thing I noticed that wasn't mentioned, is that the Bachmann track is notorious for being under gauge. Most people who run Bachmann equipment on it don't notice it, but it is under gauge.
