Thanks for the tip; I'll try it out on a  couple of pieces. Jeff in New Hampshire

 I have just gotten back into model railroading after almost 50 years. I have selected the HO Scale Bachmann E-Z Track to use for a multitude of designs. All of my first designs will be switchless; for some I have plans to utilize numerous crossings. The problem I have just run into is with the 45 & 60 degree crossings. They are not molded large enough to connect track pieces to without having to alter/ cut the connected pieces. The 60 degree crossing only requires a small snip on two out of the four connected pieces but the 45 degree crossing requires the sacrifice of all four connected pieces. First of all, I don't understand how the parts could be manufactured with this oversight, and  that apparently also includes the #5 Wye Turnout, (I read that in someone else's comments). Now it looks like my overstock of 3" straights will have to be cut down to make a crossing I can work with. I've had two  different experienced model train people attempt to get a clean, straight cut on the 3" straights to mount flush with each other when attached to the 45 degree crossing. The results were terrible. I need to get 10 each of the 45 and 60 crossings set up to look as good as the 30 degree crossing. What are your ideas, hopefully proven, for a solution to this problem? Thanks, Jeff in New Hampshire