Image: Bachmann Trains · source
Bachmann Trains · Budget
Bachmann's 44501 is a card of four HO-scale curved track sections, nickel silver rails on gray roadbed, 18-inch radius.
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We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
For a railfan who builds a model railroad, track is the part that everything else rolls on. Bachmann calls this section the basic curve of its E-Z Track system. The listing says four pieces make one-third, or 120 degrees, of a 36-inch diameter circle, so three cards complete the circle. It adds that the piece can also go on the inside of 22-inch radius curved E-Z Track to give double-track mainline realism. The scale is HO, 1:87. Bachmann's First Railroad Track Pack, its starter set of track, includes twenty 18-inch radius curves, the equivalent of five of these cards.
The roadbed is part of the piece, so sections snap together rather than being nailed down. Bachmann's assembly sheet for an E-Z Track train set calls proper assembly the most important step: snap the sections together tightly while making sure the rail and rail joiners are seated properly, because the joiners form a continuous connection for the electric current. A joint that is not flush can cause derailments or interrupted electrical contact. After assembly Bachmann says to run fingers lightly over the top of the rails to check that every joint is flush and level, and to correct trouble by checking the joiner fit or with small pliers. The sheet advises a firm, flat surface such as a floor, carpet or tabletop, a rough loose layout first, and assembling the track where it will be displayed, because moving assembled track can bend it where sections connect. The same sheet says to wipe rails with a lint-free cloth or cotton swab after every eight hours of use, that removing black residue is normal, and never to use steel wool. The manufacturer lists model 44501, a shipping weight of 0.5 lbs and ages 14 and up. The same curve exists in steel alloy with black roadbed, and as an 18-inch curved rerailer.
Strengths
Weaknesses
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail | Nickel silver |
| Brand | Bachmann Trains |
| Model | 44501 |
| Scale | HO 1:87 |
| Radius | 18 inches |
| Roadbed | Gray |
| Pieces per card | 4 |
| Recommended age | 14 and up |
| Shipping weight | 0.5 lbs |
HO modelers building or extending an E-Z Track layout who want the standard curve, and gift givers who know the recipient already runs this system. Bachmann describes its 22-inch radius curve as the one for relatively wide curves that suit longer locomotives and cars. A beginner also needs straights and a power connection, which are separate listings.
Bachmann 22-inch radius curved section (44503): four pieces form a 90-degree arc of a 44-inch-diameter circle, described on its page as best for relatively wide curves, accommodating longer locomotives and rolling stock and higher-speed mainline running; it can go outside the 18-inch curve for a double-track look. The 9-inch straight (44511) is the companion piece for runs of straight track.
Image: Bachmann Trains · source
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Image: Bachmann Trains · source
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Image: Bachmann Trains · source
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