What I'm curious about, is the videos I see involving spreaders, you use the ballast spreader to spread the ballast first, and then you run the glue spreader. It would SEEM to me, that doing it that way with EZ track, the ballast would slide off the sides before you could glue. (because, yes, it is a bit slicker than cork, thus my concerns) So, glue, ballast, glue? Or just ballast and glue? (this is why there needs to be a video)

I mean, if you have to glue, then ballast, and then glue, then it would seem (to me at least) that buying the spreader setup would be a waste of time, and that a slightly squished paper cup would probably be the better investment.

Because of how my hands shake now days, I'm probably going to have to ballast track, then lay it, rather than lay rack, then ballast it... otherwise, my layout will just end up a huge beach scene. No ocean, just beach. (sand... it's EVERYWHERE!) So I figure, before I even have a track plan I'm certain of, I should be figuring out some of these little details.

I actually considered just weathering the roadbed, and not ballasting at all, but every forum posting where someone asked about weathering track, be it here, or elsewhere that Google took me, the answers all involved ballasting. (and I don't think I have the painting chops to replace ballast with weathering alone... maybe if it was track nobody would ever see, but then what would be the point of that?)

Bachmann is now selling Ballast spreaders, and Ballast gluers, and they look really cool and all, but... does anyone know of any videos on how to use them with EZ track?

I can find PLENTY of videos on ballasting EZ track, and plenty of videos on using the Ballast spreaders on flex track... but nothing on the ballast spreaders on EZ track.

Maybe Bachmann can put up a video on their Youtube channel? I don't want to buy, if it won't work, or it won't make my life easier...

Maybe the Bach-Man knows?

Maybe... though, with my goddaughter (she's 14) I'll watch as she tosses a card with a web site on it, but a catalogue, she eats up... shows her friends, and keeps. Oh sure, when she sees something in a catalogue, she goes online to look it up, but the catalogue got her there. According to her, that's what most of her friends do, as catalogues are unique, and rare, while cards with links to web sites are usually too much of a bother if it doesn't give her a reason to check it out. Her and her friend's behaviors is why I even bring it up.

Plus, keep in mind, this is model railroading... where the younger generation is only a piece of the market. Remember, with model trains, we're talking about kids, and grand kids, sure, but we are also talking about parents, grandparents, and collectors, who, like myself (I grew up in the 70s and 80s) have fond memories towards catalogues.

I know I mentioned "kids" in my original post, but hell, when it comes to model railroading, we're all channeling that inner kid, after all.

(BTW... my goddaughter says that trains are WAY cool because "Steampunk"... and then went onto some sort of tangent about hipsters, steam engines, and... giraffes? Which, she assures me is somehow related to it all)

Oh yeah... and whatever you do... do NOT Google "Steampunk Model Trains" or else you will see things that will make you want to make some unreasonable demands of Bachmann, and other model train manufacturers.

I never even thought of cutting down EZ Track!

Quote from: pilot2fly on April 16, 2017, 11:30:36 AM
Eventually down the road I will shell out the money for a DCC with sound loco, but since I'm just starting in the hobby I want to work my way up.

HUZZAH! More people starting in the hobby! Nothing makes me happier than hearing that new people are getting into model railroading! That means manufacturers will have to make more stuff!

What if... Bachmann included a catalogue in every train set? Not every train, mind... just the sets... you know... kids wake up to their gifts under the tree, find their first train set, and inside the set, is this glorious catalogue that shows them all of the stuff they just KNOW they MUST have someday!

I'll bet it would increase sells to the point, that Bachmann wouldn't even have to increase the cost of a set to cover the addition of the catalogue! (but even if they did have to bring up the price point for the catalogue, it could be done for under a couple of bucks)

Just a thought...

(I don't know about you folks, but catalogues in the toys I got as a kid, just made me mow more lawns to get more or the items in the catalogues!)

Quote from: WoundedBear on April 15, 2017, 08:32:26 PM
CA........Cyanoacrylate Adhesive.........is super glue.

Sid

AH! Okay... in my Roundhouse Kits, CA is "Contact Adhesive", which is described as more like a rubber cement... (I thought that seemed a bit off... got it now!)

Quote from: WoundedBear on April 15, 2017, 01:55:55 PM
Thanks guys!

Warflight........I normally use 5 minute epoxy or a slow setting thick CA for white metal, although a regular white glue can work at times too. If you use a CA it helps to also use a kicker to prevent fogging.

Sid

Awesome! Thanks! So super glue is probably out then, yeah?

FANTASTIC! Though, I have to ask (and I'm sure this is a "duh" question, but, newbie here) what sort of glue did you use? I have a white metal kit here of an old ore car (it's so tiny!) and I have no idea what sort of glue to use...

WOW! That all sounds AWESOME!

Here's some video of the Bachmann 45 Tonner, so you can see it in motion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJJt5KvoWTs&ytbChannel=Four%20Chuffs%20Per%20Revolution

I'm more of a steam fan, but DAMN your work is amazing, and makes me consider diesel!

Quote from: Terry Toenges on April 10, 2017, 01:04:47 AM
Remove the wood load and whittle down some match sticks.

I have actually considered that! Maybe I'll do that with my 90s Jupiter just to experiment (I've done enough work on it already, after all... when folks say "it's junk, it isn't worth your time", I usually have to fix it out of spite)

Those are BEAUTIFUL! I'd love to find a more brightly painted "Jupiter" than the one from the 90s that I have... preferably with a wood load that doesn't look plastic. I understand the wood loads in the old Bachmanns because of the pancake motor, but one can hope for something better now, maybe?

A few weeks. Still no issues with them.

I'm sure there is a point I missed?