I would like to build a small yard using Kato #6 turnouts AND keep track spacing to standard 33mm. Normal #6 spacing in this situation is 49.5mm Looks to me like I could do that if I was able to trim some of the length off the straight legs of the turnout. That would all me to tightnen up the turnouts and improve track spacing. Looks like you would need to trim both end and reduce length about an inch to achieve the full effect. However, there is not much track that can be cut off without getting into the meat of the turnout. Even if a full inch reduction could not be achieved, any amount of shortening would bring it closer to the 33mm spacing.
Anyone done any surgery like this on a Kato #6 turnout? How did you do it and what did you achieve?
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Hello all,
In the April 2016 MR; pg. 28-35: pg. 32, the author describes how to modify turnouts as you are describing.
This article pertains to HO scale track. I am sure that this could be applied to N scale.
You can download this article through the MR archives.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
jjdamnit Hello all, In the April 2016 MR; pg. 28-35: pg. 32, the author describes how to modify turnouts as you are describing. This article pertains to HO scale track. I am sure that this could be applied to N scale. You can download this article through the MR archives. Hope this helps.
Nope. Wrong type of turnout. I am refering to the Kato N Scale Unitrack which has roadbed and a solonoid switch built into the turnout. To do what I am suggesting, will need to trim off track and road bed without impacting the throwbar or the internal electronics. Fifer's web site has a video where he merged two #6 into a crossover using surgery like I expect to be needed here but I think my suggested mods will be much tougher.
The HO no.6 electric turnouts come with removeable sections so you can do what you're referring to. Kinda odd the N scale ones don't have that....
#4 N scale turnouts have extra pieces of track intended to lengthen the turnout to keep it on grid but the # 6 is a single piece. Wish it did. Would make my task easy. I am pretty sure I can shorten it some. Just need to get the courage to hack up a turnout costing over $20.
I too hate the track spacing that's achieved with Kato's N scale Unitrack turnouts. I tried using the #6's in my yards but disliked the way it looked with tracks so wide apart. I certainly wouldn't recommend trying to chop up or shorten a Unitrack turnout. I'm sure it could be done, but it may take a few tries to get it right, rendering some very expensive turnouts useless in the process.
What I eventually did was just used #4's for my yards; I've found that the current batch of #4 turnouts perform extremely well right out of the package without any tuning up required. In the past there were derailment issues with the #4's but all my rolling stock roll through the turnouts just fine, even longer cars such as autoracks.
So if you enjoy the convenience of Unitrack and can live with the look of the #4 turnout, it would be the safest option instead of radical surgery on #6's.