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I'm interested in how you installed your ez or superstreets. What size screws did you use, did you glue it down, etc.

 

Looking forward to hearing what you've done. I've seen so many posts on Lee's wonderful designs for vehicles that I have enough street track to get it up and running (with basic vehicles of course!).  Thanks Terry

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I have the K-Line Super Streets and have used a # 4 phillips head screw with a tapered head(the head gets narrow near the bottom and will counter sink with the track hole) about half inch, or maybe three fourths of an inch long to secure the track to my plywood. Don't use machine screws as the heads are too wide!

Also have wired it about every fourth or fifth section of track for better electrical performance. the 10 inch straights have both sets of wire terminal to hook up to. The curves or 5 inch section only have the outside terminal. I cut a small notch into the side of my track to get the wires to come thru. You can use Lionel Fastrac connecter wires for Super Streets, or you can buy the Super Streets connector wires.

The new E Z Streets by Bachmann/Williams works with the older Super Streets, just the color of the track is different. Also E Z Streets don't have any switches or Y tracks.

 

I would not recommend gluing it down, what happens when you have a problem?

 

Lee Fritz

I didn't glue mine, and that came in handy today when I snagged a power wire and had to pull a few sections.  I used a #4 screw from home depot, the shortest they make.  There is one slightly longer with a smooth upper shaft that is usually recommended for Fastrack, this is the next step down.  Don't overtighten, the plastic is soft and will distort, and then you'll have a hard time with the manhole screw covers.  By the way, a pushpin really helps to snag and pop the covers.

 

To hook up, I used the same connector as for Fastrack.  I had to order a bag of them from an online wholesaler but they were cheap and they are really the only and best way to go.  You have two options - either carve a notch from the sidewall of the roadbed and attach from the side, or use a pair of pliers and bend the tabs 90' down.  This hides the wires completely but your hole has to be placed just right.  

 

I have three loops, the longest is probably a little over 4 feet wide, so maybe a ten foot linear run?  Each only has one drop and I have no noticeable power loss, and that's even with an Atlas trolley on one loop.

On my previous SuperStreets layout, I chose not to glue or fasten the track at all.  Instead, I built-up the "ground" (Sculptamold in this case) right up to each side of the SuperStreets sections and this held everything in place quite nicely.  I temporarily placed Saran Wrap around each section I was working on, and when the Sculptamold had hardened and dried I removed that temporary wrapping.  That kept all the track good as new for use again, which turned out to be a good idea since that layout no longer exists.  A new one will be build if/when Bachmann offers some much-needed switches for SuperStreets.

Originally Posted by Allan Miller:

On my previous SuperStreets layout, I chose not to glue or fasten the track at all.  Instead, I built-up the "ground" (Sculptamold in this case) right up to each side of the SuperStreets sections and this held everything in place quite nicely.  I temporarily placed Saran Wrap around each section I was working on, and when the Sculptamold had hardened and dried I removed that temporary wrapping.  That kept all the track good as new for use again, which turned out to be a good idea since that layout no longer exists.  A new one will be build if/when Bachmann offers some much-needed switches for SuperStreets.

LOL...yeah, I hope they do finally come out with some 16 & 21 switches!!!...I've got 6 Wyes and that just doesn't cut it too well...I'm not complaining so much as I'm asking Bachmann to "please follow thru"!

Originally Posted by Burlington Route:
LOL...yeah, I hope they do finally come out with some 16 & 21 switches!!!...I've got 6 Wyes and that just doesn't cut it too well...I'm not complaining so much as I'm asking Bachmann to "please follow thru"!

Bob: Don’t hold your breath.  But that will be my first question when I go to their booth in the Orange Hall on October 17th.  I’ll probably get the same response as last October: “check back in April”.

 

Bill

Originally Posted by WftTrains:
Originally Posted by Burlington Route:
LOL...yeah, I hope they do finally come out with some 16 & 21 switches!!!...I've got 6 Wyes and that just doesn't cut it too well...I'm not complaining so much as I'm asking Bachmann to "please follow thru"!

Bob: Don’t hold your breath.  But that will be my first question when I go to their booth in the Orange Hall on October 17th.  I’ll probably get the same response as last October: “check back in April”.

 

Bill

I know...but it seems odd that they're supporting new vehicles and not more track like the proposed switches or the expandable straight piece...my anyrail5 shows that last one along with the switches.

Originally Posted by WftTrains:
Bob: Don’t hold your breath.  But that will be my first question when I go to their booth in the Orange Hall on October 17th.  I’ll probably get the same response as last October: “check back in April”.

 

Bill

That's okay!  Keep the heat turned up!  That's likely the only way to get results...eventually. 

 

I, too, have  couple of the "Y" switches.  They are fine, but not really what I most need for the layout I envision.

Hey Allen M.

 

I would love to see to some switches in E Z Streets as well! It's a nice track system for smaller vehicles in O gauge. The Y will allow you to make a passing track area if you do it correctly. I run an MTH Septa trolly and the K-Line Plymouth switcher set on Super Streets 16 inch curves.

However switches would be really nice. It don't look right to use a Y for a switch and the track area would be to large.

I hope that Bachmann will do something with the E Z Street track line, besides more vehicles.

 

One other option would be to go to tubular track and use a switch with Super Streets adapter track to tubular track. Not sure if that is made for E Z Streets.

 

Lee Fritz

Going with already available tubular switches wouldn't be an option for me because it would defeat the who purpose and appearance of SuperStreets.  Those switches would look like monsters compared to the uniformly low-profile SuperStreets rails.  I prefer to just keep my fingers crossed and wait to see if Bachmann picks up the ball and runs with it.

Originally Posted by Allan Miller:

Going with already available tubular switches wouldn't be an option for me because it would defeat the who purpose and appearance of SuperStreets.  Those switches would look like monsters compared to the uniformly low-profile SuperStreets rails.  I prefer to just keep my fingers crossed and wait to see if Bachmann picks up the ball and runs with it.

What if you adapted the track to Gargraves and used Gargraves  or Ross switches?

 

Lee Fritz

Originally Posted by Montclaire:

Lee is right, the big problem is the height mismatch.  It could be that they ARE planning switches, and that's why the wye is not available.  I would also like to see double tracked pieces.

They're still out there...honestly, I just got 2 more the other day for $30 for the pair{new in the package}...and on the bay no less....yeah, I'm a cheapskate - but a happy one!

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