EZ Streets measurement and track plan

I have found some wyes on Ebay in the past, if you deal with them. Might be worth a look if that's the way you want to go.

I'll look thanks. I don't much care how the tracks runs just so there's a turn a round at each end so I don't have to use 2 lanes of track. No room for that.

I forgot to add I want to run a Westernhobbycraft so I need a minimum 21"

Thanks

joe

Joe:

The outside diameter of a circle of E-Z Streets D-21 is 21½ inches so you should have no problem fitting a loop on each end into your 30” wide area.  The curved branch of the E-Z streets switches (turnouts) is also D-21.

HTH,

Bill

I have a pair of Y tracks by K-Line, I think they are 21 inch radius. The Y is self re-setting or will allow you to use a switch motor with it as it has a small hole for a switch motor to mount to the throw bar. Email me at phillyreading@gmail if interested in the Y tracks.

The 21 inch curves are very close to 21 inches, 21.5 inch diameter circle as I just measured the tracks.

Lee Fritz

The Y Tracks are the same radius as the D16 Curves.

John Knapp

John Knapp posted:

The Y Tracks are the same radius as the D16 Curves.

John Knapp

The Y tracks are 16 inch radius curves with an extra 4.5 inches of straight track on both ends.

Lee Fritz

phillyreading posted:

John Knapp posted:

The Y Tracks are the same radius as the D16 Curves.

John Knapp

The Y tracks are 16 inch radius curves with an extra 4.5 inches of straight track on both ends.

Lee Fritz

I think Lee  meant 16-inch DIAMETER curves  but the OP says that he needs 21-inch diameter curves.

Bill

Lee:

    My point was that I do not believe D21 curves can be used with the Y Tracks. As far as I know, the Y Tracks can only be used with D16 curves. Joe said he needs to use D21 curves for his Western Hobbycraft trolley.

John Knapp

I do in fact need 21" so I'll have to go with turnouts and make a circle at the ends if it lines up OK. There's RR Track software at my sons house. It uses the K-Line track but it should be the same. I'll get him to see what he can come up with.  Thanks

John Knapp posted:

Lee:

    My point was that I do not believe D21 curves can be used with the Y Tracks. As far as I know, the Y Tracks can only be used with D16 curves. Joe said he needs to use D21 curves for his Western Hobbycraft trolley.

John Knapp

  

I have used both 21 & 16 inch curves with the Y track, so it is possible to use either curve size but you may need 2.5 inch curve to curve straights between the curves and the Y track for proper spacing.

Lee Fritz

PHILLYREADING:

   A "Y Track" is essentially made up of two D16 curves that branch off with 4.25" straight at each end.  So, a Western Hobbycraft trolley would first have to make it through one or the other of the D16's just to get into the "Y Track."

John Knapp

Since I haven't bought track could I go with a Ross 42 Wye and use Ross track for the rest of it. I can cover the ties with sculptamold

You could do that or use the new E-Z Streets by Bachmann turnouts (D21) at each end to reverse the trolley and stay with their streets sections.

John Knapp

Dobermann,

SCARM has a complete library. It's under Lionel, as I had a specifications document from them. I had him include K-Line, Lionel and Bachmann, since they all owned it at one time. You can use any of them. The street color will differ a little.

Here's the SCARM download (don't click on any big buttons)

Thanks Carl. Unless I did something wrong with the software I can't get the ends to line up with the turnout. I'll will say SCARM appears to be more intuitive than RR Track since I'm not much on reading directions.

joe

Joe:

I think you may be over-engineering it.  I have the Williams E-Z streets turnouts and it should be possible to make a loop on each end of your layout which lines up correctly.  My turnouts are permanently installed on my layout but by laying loose sections of straights and D-21 curves above my track it appears that a loop can be made using the available lengths of straight track.  Each loop would be constructed as follows: 

Coming out of the straight branch you will need a total of 20” of straight track.  Then you will use 5 consecutive D-21 curved sections followed by a total of 17.5” of straight track to connect back to the curved branch of the turnout. 

Because the last piece of the 20” straight track length on the straight branch will adjoin a curved track, as previously posted you will need a 2.5” C-T-S connector track section at that location so that leaves 17.5” of regular straight track.  Using the fewest sections possible would require one 10” section, one 5” section and one 2.5” section of straight (all narrow grooves) in addition to the 2.5” C-T-S.   

But the 17.5” of straight track length on the curved branch requires a 2.5” C-T-S connector track at each end.  So that leaves 12.5” of regular straight track needed which would be one 10” and one 2.5” straight section in addition to the two 2.5” C-T-S sections.

And as previously posted the outside diameter of the loops would be 16.5”.

HTH,

Bill

Joe:

I'm not familiar with that track planning software but I think you may be over-engineering it.  I have the Williams E-Z streets turnouts and it HAS to be possible to make a loop on each end of your layout which lines up correctly.  My turnouts are permanently installed on my layout but by laying loose sections of straights and D-21 curves above my track it appears that a loop can be made using the commercially available lengths of straight track.  Each loop would be constructed as follows: 

Coming out of the straight branch you will need a total of 20” of straight track.  Then you will use 5 consecutive D-21 curved sections which brings you back to 45-degrees from horizontal to line up with the curved branch of the turnout.  Then you will need a total of 17.5” of straight track to connect back to the curved branch of the turnout. 

Because the last piece of the 20” straight track length on the straight branch will adjoin a curved track, as posted in another thread you will need a 2.5” Curved-To-Straight connector track section at that location.  That leaves 17.5” of regular straight track.  Using the fewest sections possible would require one 10” section, one 5” section and one 2.5” section of straight (all narrow grooves) in addition to the 2.5” C-T-S.   

But the 17.5” of straight track length on the curved branch requires a 2.5” C-T-S connector track at each end.  So that leaves 12.5” of regular straight track needed which would be one 10” and one 2.5” straight section in addition to the two 2.5” C-T-S sections.

And as previously posted the outside diameter of the loops would be 16.5”.

HTH,

Bill

dobermann posted:

Thanks Carl. Unless I did something wrong with the software I can't get the ends to line up with the turnout. I'll will say SCARM appears to be more intuitive than RR Track since I'm not much on reading directions.

joe

I prefer SCARM, but RRT has it strengths.

I don't know if the small joiner tracks are available, but I use 2.5" straight to curve and a 2.5" curve to curve to make this work. It's 24" wide. There's 1 joint that's a force fit. I am not sure if EZ-Streets will do that like track does.

Right-click on the SCARM file and select save target as. Then open it with SCARM and you can try some combos.

Joe,

I have been using RR-Track V5.0 for my track planning software so this picture is based on that software.  I do not run trolleys but do run modified streets vehicles.  Closing the loop with D-21 curves and a Wye showed a slight difference of .2 inches which in my experience, the track will allow you to do that and still work.  In trying to configure a reverse loop off of a D-21 turnout, the problem is that the straight track produced by the previous and current manufacturers are only available in multiples of 2.5".  You could look for one of the old K-line adjustable straight (one time adjustment) or modify a 5" straight by cutting and splicing.

If you decide on the wye and you also want to enter and exit the same leg each time the trolley passes through, check out my post from several years ago describing how I created a spring return for a wye.

I also had another post with pictures of a cut and splice that I did on a Wye (same method would apply for a straight track).  Have not found that yet, but will add if I come across it later.  Found it - it is in this thread about 1/3 of the way down.

Larry

Moonman,

I might have missed it, but on your reverse loop, did you use a 2.5" C/S coming off the curve leg of the D-21 Turnout?  It shows a 10" straight which could cause a problem taking this turn.  Using the 2.5" C/S  would also require a 2.5" straight and a 5" straight to replace the 10" straight shown coming off that curve.

Larry

Dobermann:

      As I said earlier, a "Y Track" consists of two diverging D16 curve tracks. Your trolley may have trouble getting into the "Y."

     Former forum member Lee Willis has two books out on the subject of 'Tracks. He covers the original K-Line Superstreets, the K-Line by Lionel Superstreets  and the Bachmann E-ZStreets (all essentially the same). I recommend his book "'Streets for O-Gauge Model Railroads." It's on Amazon for $14.95.

    In his book, Lee shows that the Atlas Trolley, the Williams Peter Witt Trolley and the MTH PCC will not work on D16 curves. (The MTH PCC will work with modifications to the PCC.)

     I would go with the turnouts, OR---make a dogbone within your space, so that the trolley turns on a D21 circle at each end and goes back in the other direction. Then, you do not have to worry about the trolley not fitting into the "Y" and you don't have to worry about making the turnouts non-derailing.

    You would wind up with two parallel lanes of Streets, which Lee says in his book, look more realistic than a single lane. You could even do what he calls a "crushed" dogbone where the lanes are next to each other.

John Knapp

Thanks John. I have the book here somewhere and earlier I ordered the turnout and what I hope is enough track to complete the turn around. Right now I just have open framework so maybe once the plywood is on I can get a better idea of what's going on

joe

Here's the finished product. It will be a while before it's tested but I wanted to thank everyone who offered suggestions.

joe:

     Excellent! I can picture the trolley making its return to the city to pick up passengers and taking them to the depot.

    Also, I also tried to keep all man hole covers on the same side of the street. I noticed in your photo that they "flip flop" from one side to the other.

John Knapp

Thanks again

My attention to details is not what it used to be

joe

Joe:

    I know that there must be bunch of us who would like to see your finished project with the trolley running and all, so keep us posted!

John Knapp

dobermann posted:

Here's the finished product. It will be a while before it's tested but I wanted to thank everyone who offered suggestions.

Joe,

Nice build! I  missed the C-S off of the switch. I see that LJ picked up on it and you made it all fit. besides, I like the "balloon" reverse loop shape better than roundy one.

Now you have started the itch to put some streets on my layout.

It took 3 manufacturers and over a decade to get it to here.

Lee Willis' books are really great.

Joe,

Looks good!

Larry

Watch the overhang on Western Hobbycraft trolleys with fenders.  On my D21 curves the overhang adds about 1 inch on each side of a loop.  On your loop it would be the rear end to the right entering the  curve and the front end to the top of the curve.

Man hole covers are all over the place.  On the right side of street, on the left side of the street, between the tracks and on sidewalks. The E-Z Streets turnouts have manhole covers on both sides of the center rail.

Thanks Bill....One turn around will be open and landscaped and present plan is to locate the other turn around inside a tunnel so I'll be sure and leave enough clearance inside

joe

Hello All,

I'm re-awakening this post a couple years later to ask the experts a question about E-Z Streets.

After semi-retiring this year, I have a little time to dedicate to my layout (built in 2002-3 and tweaked ever since).  I have one small space left that I'd like to put E-Z streets.  Due to width, I'll need to go with the D-16 curves (and I can go about 4 -5 feet on the straight aways.  I'll just do a loop, which I will place a small town in/around.  [My subway goes from one layout, through a wall, to another layout and will be parallel to the E-Z Streets loop.]

So, my question... I see the D-16 curves come 4 to a pack.  Does that 4 pieces create a semi-circle, that I would use at each end of the loop?  Also, do I need the 2.5" Curve-to-Straight adapters to come off the curve?

Finally, do any of the track planning systems (all these years later) have E-Z Streets templates?  I am thinking about starting up with SCARM for this go 'round.

Thanks in advance!

Brad

Cant tell you about streets but I can tell you there are other options I've seen posted here about wires running under the surface that look really interesting.  If your interested.  I think it's called faller wired roadway. Do a search if interested.

4 pieces make a semi circle.  You need the curve to straight adapters.  The original Williams Super Streets had a dog bone option which adds reversing  loops.  Super Streets and EZ Streets  are compatible except the roadbed color is different.  There are a couple of excellent Super Street books by Lee Willis available on Amazon.

@Brad Trout posted:

Hello All,

I'm re-awakening this post a couple years later to ask the experts a question about E-Z Streets.

After semi-retiring this year, I have a little time to dedicate to my layout (built in 2002-3 and tweaked ever since).  I have one small space left that I'd like to put E-Z streets.  Due to width, I'll need to go with the D-16 curves (and I can go about 4 -5 feet on the straight aways.  I'll just do a loop, which I will place a small town in/around.  [My subway goes from one layout, through a wall, to another layout and will be parallel to the E-Z Streets loop.]

So, my question... I see the D-16 curves come 4 to a pack.  Does that 4 pieces create a semi-circle, that I would use at each end of the loop?  Also, do I need the 2.5" Curve-to-Straight adapters to come off the curve?

Finally, do any of the track planning systems (all these years later) have E-Z Streets templates?  I am thinking about starting up with SCARM for this go 'round.

Thanks in advance!

Brad

SCARM has the Streets library under Lionel as we could find those specifications from when Lionel acquired the K-Line assets. Bachmann would not provide specifications to the author of SCARM, therefore the system is not under the current owner of the asset (track system)

Today I bought my SuperStreets at Nicholas Smith Toys.  They have the old SuperStreets on sale and I was able to put together my loop with D-16 curves.  They also had a kit to convert a loop to a figure 8 so I went ahead and bought that to add more interest to the layout.  They only had Bachmann Straight to Curve pieces which I bought, color difference and all.  They also only had Bachmann vehicles and I bought at taxi.

It runs OK, much like an old time conventional locomotive.  The main problem I'm experienceing is that it frequently "derails" when crossing the intersection (or crossover).

Anyone have any experience with this?  Any known fixes?

Thanks in advance,

Brad

It has to tell you something when the author of EZ streets now uses Automotionfx.

Well heck, AlanRail, I didn't even know that existed.  It looks awesome!  Might be a bit of a budget-buster for me for what I wanted to accomplish, though.

Brad

I found EZ to be too restrictive by the limited track shapes. Automotionfx allows me to make my own track.

It's a system like the German system for HO where the modelers place a magnetic wire steel or iron along the road path and just bury it under a thin material like paper or cardboard for the surface road.

Or you can spend money for the premade Automotionfx road panels.