kato unitrack

[Anonymous]

thanks for all your info guys. I am going to stay with the unitrack from kato. good luck with all your layouts.

[trainfan1221]

I don't use it on my regular layout, but have acquired it over time (cheap--got some from The Great Train Store as they were going under.) I have tried smaller layouts or swithching moves with the Unitrack, even tried to incorporate it into my layout once or twice. It didn't seem to fit well. I have also found that trains do derail on it, and the same ones don't on the normal track on my layout. I can't say I would try a regular permanent layout with it.

[Anonymous]

I have a small layout on a door built using Unitrack and I'm getting ready to build another one as I have sold the first one.
I don't feel this track produces more "Natural sound" but it is a bit nosier than track mounted on cork roadbed. Case in point, today I purchased one of the new Life-Like
SW-8's at my local hobby shop. In the store, on their test track, it was very quiet. At home on my layout, it was terrible. So the only difference was the track.
I still plan to use Unitrack on my new layout for my main line. I'll probably use either Micro Eng. Code 70 weathered flex or some of the new Atlas Code 55 for my sidings and industry tracks.
gtr

[Anonymous]

Bruce, I answered your question. I use it, although it is HO gauge, and see no downfalls. I dont consider the price a downfall since it is a superior product. As for the sound effects, yes, it tends to amplify the rumble somewhat. Some like it, some don't. I do.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bruce47

hi guys thanks for your replys but my main question is and still is " is kato's unitrack only downfall is the price? I have also been told by a salesman at a train store that kato's Unistrack has a more natural sound to it when the train rumbles over it, has anyone heard that, no pun intended. I know its not flexible but thats not my main concern.

[skiloff]

The largest in N scale is 28 1/4" radius. There is the standard 9 3/4", 11", 12 3/8", 13 3/4", 15" and 19" also. They also make a 8 9/16", but that is too tight for me. Actually, my minimum is 12 3/8" for the plan I'm working on (which I'll hopefully figure out how to post in the next day or two). After working on many ideas for many hours in XtrkCad with the Unitrack templates, I have to say that for sectional track it is EXTREMELY flexible because of all the curve variations. Not only are there a number of radii, there are also (mostly) choices of 15, 30 and 45 degree variations of the radii. You certainly have to play around a bit to get it to fit just right, but the more you plan, the better understanding you have of how it can work.

I haven't set much up yet and haven't noticed the sound, so I can't comment on the sound. All in all, I'm quite pumped about building with the Unitrack. Sure, there are limiations, but I was so impressed with how it ran, and even more impressed with the variations in track for flexibility of design. Also, check out Kato's website for their track plans and ideas if you haven't already:

http://www.katousa.com

Personally, I think their plans are a lot like Atlas - see how much track you can cram into a space, but at the bottom of the track plan page (in N scale) there is a section called Track Plan Elements that show you the geometry for using the Unitrack in turnouts, crossovers, wyes, etc. Very helpful when you are doing planning so you know what pieces work best in what situation.

[Anonymous]

What is the largest radius in inches offered in Kato Unitrack?

All of those mm's mess me up.

[Anonymous]

hi guys thanks for your replys but my main question is and still is " is kato's unitrack only downfall is the price? I have also been told by a salesman at a train store that kato's Unistrack has a more natural sound to it when the train rumbles over it, has anyone heard that, no pun intended. I know its not flexible but thats not my main concern.

[1shado1]

Originally posted by GearDrivenSteam

No, no. I wasn't being defensive at all......just being lireral. I only meant that flextrack was more flexible than any kind of sectional track. Maybe my smartass tendancies did kind shine through on that one. Sorry. It's just my nature. LOL. I actually looked on the Kato site to see if there was such a beast. There ain't. That would be kinda cool though, wouldn't it?

LOL. I understand. I have the same smartass tendencies that get me in trouble all the time. Yeah, it would be cool if there was a Unitrack flextrack. Although I suppose that would be somewhere between difficult and impossible to engineer.

Jeff

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Sorry if I ruffled your feathers. I wasn't putting down Kato Unitrack in any manner. And I realize that Bruce asked about Kato Unitrack (I can read). I simply asked MY question for my own edification, as I am considering it also. Why so defensive? If you want to be FUSSY, here goes: Why do you insist on top posting here when virtually everyone else bottom posts?

Jeff

[Anonymous]

Since my layout will be designed using Kato Unitrack, that's not a downfall for me. Besides, Bruce asked about Kato Unitrack. By his question, I am assuming he knows full well Unitrack is not flextrack, and that we're not talking about, or thinking about flextrack here. The Unitrack is actually offered in a wide varity of radii. The last time I checked, Kato Unitrack was not the only sectional track that flextrack was more flexible than.

quote]Originally posted by 1shado1

QUOTE: Originally posted by GearDrivenSteam

None.

Aren't you limited to the radii of curves offered? Or is there a Unitrack equivalent of flex track?

[1shado1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GearDrivenSteam

None.

Aren't you limited to the radii of curves offered? Or is there a Unitrack equivalent of flex track?

[Anonymous]

None.

[Anonymous]

I have a question for anyone that would like to reply. I am starting up a n scale layout, my question is what are the real downfalls on kato's unitrack besides the money.