WBB new E Z Streets items

Do you think anyone is buying that? I liked it when K-line was making it but we did not sell very much. I would be interested to see if many forum members are planning on installing on their layout.

One thing that would help with E Z Streets is an instruction manual!

I had to do my Super Streets by trial and error.

The reason I say that is there are different types of straight tracks that need to be used next to the curve section. I had to cut away some plastic with an exacto knife to make my 10 inch straight sections work next to a curve.

Lee Fritz

Lee – Could you post the link to the Bachmann New Release Video that you watched?  I was not able to find it.

Brian – The more options that Bachmann can provide, the more interest they will have for E Z Streets to be incorporated into new/existing layouts.  When K-line was making it, I did not care for the vehicles they offered.  Once I saw what Lee Willis was doing with converting vehicles, I became interested and started doing conversions of vehicles that I wanted to be able to run.  A number of us have asked for right/left turnouts since Bachmann announced they would offer the former Superstreets as E Z Streets.  I would hope that a follow on to the new turnouts would be a 45 degree crossing which could open more possibilities with the turnouts.  If Bachmann was to incorporate a standard DCC decoder socket, vehicles could be shipped from the factory with a jumper to run under DC but allow for easy conversion to DCC which opens up many possibilities with lighting control, sound, and speed control of individual vehicles.   Further accessories along the lines offered by Tyco in the old HO scale US-1 Trucking series would also be a possible addition to use with the turnouts.  I believe that K-line and Lionel did not manage to move the ‘Streets” concept to its full potential.   I have a future layout plan that I was using Y turnouts as a workaround to the left and right turnouts Lionel announced but never brought to market.  I have already started modifying my RR Track plan to incorporate the new turnouts.   If I did not have as much invested in Fastrack, locomotives, and rolling stock, I would consider reducing the amount of rail I planned to allow more ‘Streets’.

Lee – The old K-line/Lionel Superstreets track is interchangeable with the newer Bachmann E Z Streets track.  The only difference is in the color (gray vs black).  In regard to straight track, other than the length of the Straight to Straight (2 ½”, 5”, & 10", there are only 3 variations – Straight to Straight, Straight to Curve (2 ½” only), and Curve to Curve (2 ½” only).   I sent you a PDF of the K-line Superstreets Operating Roadway Guide several months ago.  The information in it does pertain to E Z Streets.  As stated on Page 3, “The set includes four Straight to Curve Connectors.  These pieces are designed to be used – as the name suggests – as a transition between any straight and curved Roadway. You will notice that the channels in the Straight to Curve Connectors are from narrow to wide. Always assemble with narrow channel ends adjoining the straight piece and the wider channel ends adjoining the curve. If you are wondering why, it is to optimize performance of vehicles traveling on SuperStreets. The narrow channels keep vehicles moving with little or no wobble, the wider channels on curved Roadway prevent any binding around curves. The tapered channels of the Straight to Curve Connector ensure smooth travel and eliminate possible ‘derailments’.”  There are only two types of straight track to use with a curve.  The straight to curve is used between a curve track connected to a straight, and a curve to curve is used to add a 2 ½” straight length between two curves.  The image below illustrates how to use the various straight sections.

Larry

Lee: I can't find it either so please post a link to that video.

Thanks,

Bill

http://youtu.be/ojixRiQNzS0

I will definitely be buying several sets of the new E-Z Streets switches when they become available.

Thanks Chessie but I’ve seen that video which was produced by the TCA of the presentation by Jack Lynch of Bachmann at the ToyTrain Museum on Wednesday.  It did show Jack holding up the switches but Lee said he watched a "new-release" video on Bachmann’s website about the switches.

Bill

Bill i looked on the bachmann website and that was the only video i seen. Jeff 

For more info on the switches, on the 2^nd page of this thread:

Mfr's Presentations at TCA Museum, Strasburg (pictures added 4/25) | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum   Peter Gentieu posted a good photo of the switches taken at the Bachmann booth on Thursday or Friday.  Thank you Peter.

As already posted, the curved branch is the D-21 diameter and they are remote controlled.  From the photo the straight branch is much shorter than a full 10” straight in length.  Using a D-21 curved and a 10” straight held in my hand in the same configuration, it looks like the straight section on that switch would be about 7½” long.  That’s good because it means that a 2½” straight can be used to make up the difference when adding a switch to an existing layout.  Also it looks like all 3 branches have the wide flange grooves so a curved section of track can be attached to the straight branch of the switch without the need for a straight-to-curved section. 

I wonder if they are non-derailing?

Bill

You and me both Allan.

Look at 13:50.  Switches are remote control with a manual option. 

Any information yet on when the WBB E-Z Street turnouts are expected to be available?

Larry

I have not heard a word.  I was expected mid to late December, not before.  

Maybe they will announce at York.