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KATO "unit track" for my first layout...

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, January 7, 2013 8:06 AM

NP2626

Is Kato Uni-track and Atlas Tru-track the same thing?

They are basically the same except for the way they connect together.  None of the track products with built-in roadbed will connect with a different brand without some modificaiton.
  • Member since
    December 2011
  • From: Northern Minnesota
  • 2,774 posts
Posted by NP2626 on Monday, January 7, 2013 7:48 AM

Is Kato Uni-track and Atlas Tru-track the same thing?

NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"

Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association:  http://www.nprha.org/

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: huizen, 15 miles from Amsterdam
  • 1,484 posts
Posted by Paulus Jas on Monday, January 7, 2013 7:32 AM

Hi Derek,

The Mount Coffin and Columbia is an awesome small modelrailroad.

However you need access to three sides and together with the detachable staging cassette the total space requirement is rather large.

Mr MC Fujiwara handlaid some, if not all, of his turnouts, so building this layout with standard pieces of snaptrack might turn out pretty difficult. You should be able to allow more space to your project when using Kato track.

The 9" minimum radius is very limiting to the kind of cars and engines that can be used. The question if this layout is really the best choice for some-one who is already intimidated remains open, at least to me.

With a 11,25 minimum radius and #5 turnouts you would need a 5x3 bench.

Wish you luck

Paul 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Monday, January 7, 2013 6:13 AM

If you wish to mix the Kato track with "standard"  tracks like Atlas or Peco flex and sectional track there is an adapter section available.  

Reasons for connecting the brands include an open deck bridge, special trackwork, expanding the layout with "standard" track".

 The adapter is not needed.

I connect the brands by removing the Kato connecter  (it's a snap fit) and using standard rail joiners.

Another modeler puts a Kato connecter on the second rail, and removes removes several ties from the "standard" track so it fits into the Kato connecter.    

 

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 7, 2013 1:07 AM

I built my mini-modular N scale layout using Kato Unitrack. Like most (or all) track with integrated roadbed, it has a plastic look to it, but with a little work, it can be improved a lot.

I spray-painted the track in a dark brown color and re-ballasted it carefully.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Sunday, January 6, 2013 11:29 PM

Kato Unitrack, both N and HO, is an excellent product.  It is the best of the tracks with built in roadbed.

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    January 2013
  • 70 posts
KATO "unit track" for my first layout...
Posted by dschroeder83 on Sunday, January 6, 2013 9:44 PM
Just would like some opinions on the KATO Unitrack. I'm building a small N scale layout I saw in a MRR magazine (coffin mountain Columbia sept 2012 issue) its my first layout and I'm considering using the Unitrack instead of laying roadbed, rails and ballast (doing all that seems intimidating for my first project)

I'm not expecting a perfect "museum quality" layout. Just something that looks cool in the corner of my computer room at home.

Derek

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