some_guy5's Full Review: Bachmann Ez Track 9" Straight #44511 4 Pcs. New W/...
There were a few reasons why when I and my children started off with model railroading we went with Bachmann's steel alloy EZ Track. For one, that is what came with the first set we bought, and the next two. So we had a lot of it. Also, it is relatively cheap, so I was expanding the layout and that was the budget way to do it. Now here are the reasons why I switched to Bachmann's Nickel Silver EZ Track. I actually took an interest in model railroading beyond just playing with my children. When you get the nicer sets, those come with the nicer nickel silver track. The biggest reason was, I had some problems with the steel corroding, and it didn't take all that long to happen.
Product Details Today I am reviewing a card containing four pieces of 9 inch straight Ez Track made of nickel silver. The track is fixed to gray plastic roadbed and is manufactured by Bachmann. The Bachmann product ID is 44511.
What is Ez Track Ez Track is a line of HO scale train tracks made by Bachmann Trains. It comes in both steel allow and nickel silver, the nickel silver being reviewed today. HO scale track has to have electric current running through it, along one rail through then engine and back through the other rail, and tracks can sometimes be tedious and tricky to join. Any less than perfect joins will impede the flow of current and potentially cause your engine or cars to derail. Bachmann attempts to solve this problem by fixing their sections of track to a track bed. The pieces of track bed snap together, making it much easier to join the pieces of track together. You still have to make sure the rail joiner goes exactly into the rail seat, but the track bed acts as a guide and is very easy to use.
The Good There are some really great advantages to using Ez Track. For one it is easy to use. The track bed snaps together easily, making it easier to connect the track. There are other kinds including track without an attached roadbed and I have even seen a flexible track, but Bachmann's EZ track is one of the industry leaders and is widely available. The fact that the track bed is part of the track is another positive point. With other kinds of track you would most likely have to buy and add a track bed. It helps with looks and gives a good surface on which to lay the track and also helps absorb sound. Now the track bed included in the Ez Track is plastic and frankly it isn't that nice but it is included which makes it easier and free (well you pay but it is included with the track). Finally, Bachmann HO Nickel Silver Ez 9" Straight (4) is a premium product, meaning mostly that it is resistant to corrosion. Since this product is for the more serious model railroaders there are more pieces available in nickel silver, including switches with digital decoders included for remote operation.
The Bad Bachmann HO Scale Nickel Silver Ez 9" Straight (4) is the nicer of the two lines offered by Bachmann. That may sound like a plus and it is, but it doesn't come cheap. Expect to pay up for the higher quality. That is the one and only gripe I have about it. If you don't know what pieces you need it gets expensive, very expensive if you want to buy several pieces for trial and error. That was what we did with the steel track.
Conclusion Bachmann EZ track was my default choice because it came with the first sets I bought. However, now that I am getting more experienced I have come to appreciate my luck. I like that it is easy to use, resists corrosion, and comes with a rail bed attached. The only thing I don't like about it is the price. Even at a hefty discount the pieces of rail just really add up. If you (or your child) are a beginner and aren't sure how much you will like model railroading I recommend the steel alloy EZ track. If you think you are going to stick with it and want something that will last I recommend Bachmann's HO Scale Nickel Silver Ez 9" Straight (4).
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