Hello, everyone. I've noticed that each of the Bachmann #44461 and #44462 (EZ Track Steel Alloy standard left and right) turnouts come with two small screws, but no documented explanation as to their purpose. Could they be for the purpose of mounting them to a layout surface? In many videos which show EZ Track used for permanent layouts, GLUE is used for this purpose, but I would personally prefer to avoid glue, in case I wanted to disassemble and change the layout, or replace a defective switch or piece of track. Any ideas?

Remarkable stories about "B" units, thank you for posting!

I thank you all for your replies. Best of all. I like Brian G's phrase "prototypically stupid". That's definitely me, especially when I have an EMD F7-B Unit pulling cars around with no head. I think I'll make a t-shirt with that saying. I like how some of you were able to attach nice pictures to your messages. I haven't been able to do that, because I get a message like "the upload directory is full, tell the sysop" or something like that. Anyway, thanks again!

After buying a few Bachmann DC starter sets, all of which came with Steel Alloy/Black Roadbed EZ-Track (I'm not referring to any Nickel Silver/Grey Roadbed), that there appear to be two different grades, or possibly two different series, of EZ-Track. Some are solid under the rail ends, and some are notched. I've also noticed the "notched" type have the rail ties more cheaply moulded onto the roadbed. I'm sorry I was not able to attach any comparison pictures to show you.

My "Thoroughbred" set came with 12pcs of the solid 18"R curves and one piece of notched 9" straight.
Three of my Santa Fe sets (SF Flyer, Canyon Chief, War Chief) all came with 11pcs of notched 18"R curves.
My "Overland Limited" set came with 16pcs of solid 22"R curves and 5pcs of solid 9" straight.

All of the other pieces of Bachmann EZ-Track which I purchased, including some 22"R curves, 9" straights, 36" straights (in bulk), 3" straights, and L/R Turnouts, all appear solid under the rail ends.

Has anyone else noticed this, or does anyone know if there is an expected difference of quality in the track which comes with starter kits vs. purchased track? Or, was there a change in the manufacturing process at some point?

Good day, everyone. I recently purchased the HO Scale Overland Limited set (#00614) and wasted little time trying to upgrade my wheels from plastic to metal. For eight of the cars, I decided to buy the "Barber-Bettendorf" trucks by Bachmann. Two components of the kit, however, specifically the UP#806 Tender, and the Great Northern #42764 Flat Log Car, have three-axle trucks. So, I bought a 12-pack of 36" wheel sets (p/n 42903) and proceeded to upgrade both cars' wheels. Only after I was done, I noticed the wheels might be different sizes, particularly that the original log-car wheels are smaller (maybe 33"?) and there seems to be slight friction in the running. Does anyone have experience in this regard, and does anyone know the proper original wheel sizes?  If my suspicion is correct, I might purchase another 12-pack of wheels, but in 33". Thank you!