Ballasting Black EZ track?

[electrical whiz kid]

Jim;
Why is it 'over the top' to solder joints?  I do, and, if nothing else, it, besides Bourbon, helps one sleep at night.
As far as brass goes, brass is a better conductor-which when one comes right down to it, would be a non-issue in this application.  You are right to say that the maintenance factor far outweighs the small difference between brass and nickel silver per the trans-conductance issue.  Nickel is my choice.  For the tap feed, I use #16 stranded-again done neatly.  This wire tends on the bulky side in this instance-but again, my choice.  #18 solid is used, I think, by most.

As far as the height (code#), my choice of weaponry would be code 83, and code 70.  Only my preference, and that is based on only that I like the appearance.  100?  To each his own.
To KKtrains, I would say that quality workmanship and common sense trumps appearance any day.  To me, steel would be right out the door, nickel silver and a good rosin core solder with a tinned iron would be the jumping in place.  Also, make sure you use proper sized rail joiners.   
Much can be said about track-work.  I am not familiar with 'E-Z-TRACK', so I cannot comment on it.  That would sound like Jim's department.  Make sure that your track is square and neat, especially at a joint.

Rich C.

[jbrock27]

Jim;
Why is it 'over the top' to solder joints? 
Rich C.

If you had read what I wrote Rich you would see I was commenting on the advice to solder every joint and a feeder to every piece of track/every 3 feet, for a small, DC layout.  I solder many, even most sections, but not every.

I am not familiar with 'E-Z-TRACK', so I cannot comment on it.  That would sound like Jim's department.
Rich C.

Not hardly.  Outside of using it around the Christmas tree, I am an Atlas track and switch/turnout guy

[Trainman203]

Painted and ballasted EZ track.  The pulpwood rack in the background is on EZ track not yet treated.

[jbrock27]

Yes of course, but you should include in the description, nickel silver EZ track...

[gbradley]

re: Trainman23, that was an EXCELLENT IDEA about using the black EZ on dead end spurs.

re:jbrock27, Thank you.... tarnish was the word I was looking for but at the time this old brain could not fish it out.

[jbrock27]

You're welcome brad

And oh, by the by;

...steel track in play, even as a siding which some people relegate steel track to.

[electrical whiz kid]

Steel track;
I relegate it to the nearest dumpster.  No exceptions!
Jim; Your layout; you do what you want.  I would solder every joint; after making them mechanically sound.  Never butt-joint, unless you are going to silver solder.  Too many chances being taken.  Much more better to just sit back with a manhatten, and watch the trains do their thing, than to be trying to find that dead track when the problem is erratic.

Rich C.

[Joe323]

Actually I just inherited a bunch of steel life like track.  I intend to use it on my static dsplay above my layout.

[jbrock27]

Steel track;
I relegate it to the nearest dumpster.  No exceptions!
Rich C.

No argument there, just make sure you tell that to TM203.

Jim; Your layout; you do what you want.
Rich C.

Thanks for the permission slip Rich, I will.  No erratic problems but thanks also for the thought.

You're always mentioning hittin the hard stuff; it has me concerned .

Actually I just inherited a bunch of steel life like track.

My condolences.

[Joe323]

Steel track;
I relegate it to the nearest dumpster.  No exceptions!
Rich C.

No argument there, just make sure you tell that to TM203.

Jim; Your layout; you do what you want.
Rich C.

Thanks for the permission slip Rich, I will.  No erratic problems but thanks also for the thought.

You're always mentioning hittin the hard stuff; it has me concerned .

Actually I just inherited a bunch of steel life like track.

My condolences.

It also came with a bunch of horn hook cars and couple of trainset quality power packs and some old horn hook Bachmann locos I am hoping to save this shells for future projects.

[jbrock27]

Depending on looks Joe, some may actually turn out to be worthwhile endeavors.