Unitrack

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had any experiences using Kato's unitrack on their layouts? Good or bad?

[DonaldAgne]

I used KATO Unitrack exclusively on my N-scale layout.

Pros:

- excellent quality nickel-silver rails
- snaps together solidly and makes a good electrical connection between pieces of track
- lots of lengths of straight track and curve diameters available (in N-gauge, not sure about HO)
- diamond and 90 degree crossings available
- #4 and #6 turnouts available
- turnouts are remote controlled and are very reliable (so far) (just don't get glue in the throw mechanism!)
- fake ballast attached, if you like that sort of thing
- makes a nice clickity-clack as metal wheels pass over the many rail joints

Cons:

- fake ballast attached (I don't like it)
- difficult to lay realistic ballast on top of it without raising the ground level even with the top of the fake ballast
- requires careful planning (or lots of trial and error) to make the ends meet, unless you have the KATO track plans book
- kind of expensive

I recommend it for beginners, like I was when I started my layout. However, I'm planning to use flex track and manual throws or some kind of switch machine on my next layout. Flex track is...well...more flexible.

[cuyama]

While it is true that most Unitrack layouts are probably smaller, I have done some designs for medium and larger layouts for clients who wanted to use Unitrack. It's a more expensive track system than flextrack and commercial turnouts, but it does offer the flexibility of being able to build something different later with no muss and no fuss if plans or space change.

I was a bit surprised to find that the Unitrack worked pretty well for these larger layouts, but it was a little more challenging to design than with flextrack because of the defined length of the sections.

You did not mention whether you are in HO or N scale ... I have found it's a little easier to design with the N scale Unitrack because the range of components is broader and there is an adjustable section to bridge gaps. And if you are willing to mix in a few short segments of flextrack with the Unitrack in order to change the angles, you can avoid some of the "giant train set" look that comes from having all the curves of similar arcs.

Good luck,

Byron
Model RR Blog

[Anonymous]

I used the HO Unitrack for about half of my previous layout. This layout had an along-the-walls "L" with spiked and ballasted Shinohara track, with a bridge to a large (6' x 15') island in the center of the room. For reasons of both family politics and access to utilities, the island had to be fairly easily to dismantle, hence my decision to use sectional track. I used the Unitrack there and was surprised at how well it worked. The track connectors are GREAT - the best design on the market, period. I also noticed that the rather rubberized ballast material made for EXCEPTIONALLY QUIET operation - in total contrast to the conventional track/cork/plywood approach. It also was surprisingly fun to be able to alter the track arrangements, and the ability to do so, resulted in a much improved track plan by about the third iteration.

Disadvantages: no crossing tracks (especially curious compared with their N scale line), no curved turnouts. The "ballast" is unrealistic, not to say hokey. Key advantage compared with other sectional track: large-radius curved pieces.

I put my set-up together largely by trial and error, and carefully recording the arrangement allowed fairly fast set-up. Today, I'd use the WinRail planning software which includes the Unitrack in its track library.

If you are planning a temporary or should I perhaps say instead, non-permanent layout, I highly recommend the Unitrack. If you are thinking of using it in a permanent mode (i.e. nailed or glued down), you should consider the Fleischmann Profi-track. It has much more realistic-looking ballast, offers crossings (though, bizarrely, not a 90-degree), and has a very cleverly designed flex-track offering.

[Anonymous]

My wife's N scale layout is exclusively Unitrack. I am strongly considering ripping up all my current Atlas sectional track and replacing it with Kato Unitrack on my HO layout. If you are concerned with the appearance of the roadbed, it can be painted and weathered and it can be ballasted with Kato's HO (and N) ballast. Personally I will be using the Kato HO ballast on mine. My wife's N scale looks very good with her scenery techniques and N scale Kato ballast.

I know that there are alot of modelers' out there that use Atlas sectional track, but I prefer the reliability of the Kato track. I also have some Bachmann EZ Track, but feel that the Unitrack has a superior connection. It's expensive, but throwing out $400 worth of Atlas track isn't cheap. I wish I would have used Unitrack in the first place.

[Anonymous]

I have just completed replacing flexitrack on 4# modules with Unitrack 'N' and now have reliability with my new DCC system.
The expansion track is a godsend at module joints and the built in ballast is easy to customize.
I would have saved a fortune over the years if I had always used Unitrack as it is so easy to re-use.
Bill[:D]

[Anonymous]

Has anyone bought the Noch Colorado (90830) preformed layout "N" scale for use with Unitrack?

I'm confused as to the track configuration in one area. I'm unable to make out , from the posted track plan and list of items on the Kato site , the track configuration on the top (back) of the layout (the feeder track and left turnout area). From the track plan, there should be a cross over and another left turnout to joint the two ovals but neither is listed. Can anyone post images of their layout from all sides.

Thanks,

Chris. Spratt
Victoria, BC

[Anonymous]

I like it.

the only real problem I've had was when I built my layout, the plan I used was done with Atlas track, so I had to be a little creative to get it all to fit. I'm not too wild about the fake ballast, but the Kato ballast is pretty close, and I guess a guy could do an india ink wash over the ballast to make it more realistic.

[thomaspier]

There is a Yahoo! group that is devoted to discussions on Kato Unitrack.

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KatoUnitrack

This is a helpful group of people with a wealth of experience using the Kato products.

[Anonymous]

I am using Kato N-scale Unitrack although I have no permanent layout. You can make your curves look more realistic by using different radii along the same curve. Enter the curve with a large radius and use shorter radii in the center and then exit with the same larger radii. I have used three different radii in the same curve including passing sidings on a curve without much trouble. It does take some trial and error but the result is quite satisfying. It's like having an easement but just not as gradual. For large mainline curves I use the radius that comes with Kato's #6 switches (718 mm) or from the #4 switches (481 mm) to start the curve and tighter radii inbetween. It gets more difficult for a loop railroad but no problem for a point-to-point railroad. Use the larger radii for a gentle curve on a siding and it looks great!
You can use dark washes on the plastic ballast and weather the rails and the track looks very good. You can't get away from the rail joiner look, but that's a small price to pay for the ease of using sectional track.
I have made a knockoff of the MR Ma and Pa project railroad from about 30 years ago and it turned out very nice. I only did the trackwork and never completed the railroad. It was a project for me to get used to the Kato track.
Thanks for listening. (First-time forum participant.)

[Anonymous]

I'm building an "N" scale layout with Unitrack. I love it. It works great right from the start. I got back inot mrr after a 30 year hiatus. I was afraid of derailments with "N" It has been electrically and mechanically solid. Yes it coast a bit more but it's a solid design. There are adapters to use flextrack or other snaptrack if you want. The one thing they don't have that I wi***hey did was 30-36" straight sections for long straightaways. I laid a double track main and all the pieces just fit together. If you shop around there are dealers who do heavily discount Untrack making it much more affordable. I say try some. If it's not for you, it sells fast on Ebay. Dave

[bcammack]

www.toytrainheaven.com has excellent prices on Kato Unitrack. I'm sorely tempted to go with it for my next layout.

[Anonymous]

davsachz-

Just wondering, how is progress going on the layout? Haven't heard from you, though I admit I also haven't been back to this forum to see any prgoress photos or the like. I'm the guy who sent you a sketched-up track plan, labeled "Anthracite Creek", if you recall. Did you opt for a different plan? I'd like to see your efforts.

And, I'm in the midst of rebuilding an older small layout using Unitrack; I'm convinced that it can be appropriately weathered and ballasted-in. My first step is to blacken the rails, using Blacken-It (is this stuff still sold? I have no idea); I poured out a bit of this into a shallow tray, like a spare cookie sheet, then dip the track sections into itupside down, to simultaneously expose the entire rail to the chemical oxidizer. Just a few seconds does the trick; my first batch came out a weathered-copper green, due to overexposure. I used an old toothbru***o remove most of the green, and then used my favorite brown pastel chalk dust to correct the color. This chalk also has the effect of killing the plastic shine of the ties, and imparting a warmer tone to the grey of the ballast, though I do try to brush most of it out of the ballast. A rub-down with a Bright-Boy returns the railheads to bright shininess, and the effect looks pretty good. Then, I will just ballast over the molded ballast shoulders, to barely touch the ends of the ties, to tie it into the rest of the layout's scenery. The only giveaway will be the sectional connectors.

I've also joined a local N-track group, but for this I will stick to flextrack and Peco turnouts, to conform to club standards. On my larger home layout, I intend to use Micro-Engineering code 55 throughout, preferably with the weathered rail, though at a recent train show I scored a half-price deal on a bunch of their turnouts, which does not have the weathered feature. The height of the railhead is the other major giveaway with the Unitrack, a compromise I'm willing to live with in the case of a smaller portable layout, where reliability is a primary concern. On the home layout, which won't be moved frequently, aesthetics wins out.

[jhugart]

I purchased Kato's N-scale Unitrack so my son could run trains on the dining room table. We took the kinky oval design and used it as the basis for the layout my friends and I work on to build our scenery skills. (Nothing like a bunch of middle-aged armchair modellers.)

We found many of the same issues reported above. Chief was the line-up problem, and the unrealistic ballast. An additional item was trying to glue the track to the plywood subroadbed, it wouldn't stay put. Ended up using super glue, and only glued my fingers together once.

In the future, I will stick with Atlas track, turnouts and flex track, and cork roadbed. If nothing else, the ballast looks better.

[tomytuna]

Hello everyone....I'm a Kato HO scale fan,,,BUT...i'm disapointed in the lack of variety in Kato's track selection when it come to crossovers,diamonds,,etc...does anyone know if Kato is planning to expand their HO line? I've just expanded my set and plan on buying more and more track, but again find it hard to find in stock at local hoby shops ( Boston Ma, No. Shore Area. )..they will order it for me.which is ok,,but would like to obtain it faster..anyone with suggestions, i'd appreciate them..thank all...Tom

[dmitzel]

Resurrecting an old thread, but I just picked up a small N-scale Kato Metra consist and M1 Unitrack set to take on the road with me when I travel on business. I travel almost weekly so for those nights I'm whiling away in the hotel I figure I can set up a temporary loop and run an F40PH-2 an a short train of five Nippon-Sharyo Bi-levels to keep the interest sated.

While Kato provided a nice bookcase to place my two F40's, three coaches and two cab-coaches into for safe protection while traveling I'm wondering what to do with the track and power pack. I'd like to pack them into a foam case but am not sure where to start looking as Kato doesn't offer anything specific for non-rolling stock items.

Any N-scale Unitrack modelers out there that use a carry case to take their track with them?