N, 48"x60"... K1,K2,K3 components ... ideas?

[Anonymous]

Okay. You've heard it before, I'm sure. I had a 4x8 HO as a kid. I just came in to a set of Kato K1,2,and 3 track sets and can do 4'x5' without intruding on the wife and kids. Can do simple terrain, will likely have the required mountain tunnel. Will also have a main street of old...

but I'm totally at a loss for plans... I monkeyed all day with the pieces, it just didn't work. I do also have an additional switch, forget the direction (sorry.)

Any ideas? Thanks! So cool to be almost doing trains 30 yrs later...

Gus

[skiloff]

I assume you've looked at Kato's website? They have some plans there, but I didn't really like any of them myself. I'm sure there are a number of possibilities, though I think with that extra switch, you still only have 3 which I don't think is enough to really do a layout you'll be happy with.

[Anonymous]

been to the site, the 1-2 plans just add spurs, the 1-3's loops... so... if I had two left and two right? I could buy another switch.... I did some playing today, but must've done some cardinal sin, as my switches turn parts of the plan off, depending... so here's another one - can you send power to two track parts in the same loop?

confused...

[AltonFan]

Kato turnouts are power-routing: the current goes only to the selected route. It is important to feed the current from the points (the single track end) of the turnout.

In my experience with Kato track, I have found it necessary to install one of the expandable sections in one side of the track. I don't believe the Kato turnouts are equal in length to their straight sections.

[Anonymous]

been to the site, the 1-2 plans just add spurs, the 1-3's loops... so... if I had two left and two right? I could buy another switch.... I did some playing today, but must've done some cardinal sin, as my switches turn parts of the plan off, depending... so here's another one - can you send power to two track parts in the same loop?

confused...

[skiloff]

Kato #6 turnouts are equal in length to one of the track lengths - the 186mm piece I believe, but I don't have my stuff here right now to verify. I don't know about the #4s, I don't use them. The way to solve your switch routing (I think), is to buy a few more feeder pieces and add them in on your spurs. I don't think that will cause any shorts unless you reversed the polarity.

[skiloff]

One other things I'll add, is that you need to give us information about how much space you have to build the layout and what era, prototype, etc. you want to model. Throwing down track is the easy part, but what do you really want to model? Thats where the plan comes in.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the help, Gents. I'll add another power spot and see wht I get.

Given the limitations of the size and my supply of track, this is what I have so far. It's more of a project to be with my boys than a hardcore model train experience, but here it is. I'll get some foam down and start the sculpt of the land next week. The track is still up for debate as well. I have been tossing around reversing the direction of the inner loop and thus the little spur. I also have a couple neecessities - a fishing pond is one. Small town. Anyhow, feedback?



Thanks so much for helping the new guy.

-Gus

[skiloff]

The great thing about this hobby is you can do whatever spins your crank. If you are looking for a way to spend time with your boys and don't have much space, that should work just fine. Its a great learning experience to get back into it and I'm sure your boys will love it. The great thing about Unitrack is if you decide you want to do something different in the future, you can pull it up and start over (provided you don't secure it too well). Just remember, ask anything you like and someone will most likely have an answer.

[Anonymous]

You know, that's the beauty of forums like this. I am a fly fisherman and run a few websites/forums regarding that endeavor. The community factor is why I posted - I somehow figured that train guys were a lot like fly fishers.

Thanks for the support!

[Texas Zepher]

Since you have the track going up a grade anyway, I think I would take the turnouts out of the main loop and make it longer by going up and crossing over the lower loop (imploded figure 8). Then use the two turnouts freed up to make two more spurs, or a passing siding. I would also move the existing spur to go into the little town rather than off into the woods.

Or are those darker green spots also buildings rather than trees??

[Anonymous]

Sorry for not incuding a legend [;)] I was thinking that dark green could be various railyard-ish structures. Sea Green "L's" were town, bright green squares were suburbs, I guess. I dunno. I'll have wires for lighting the buildings under there...

Got a four-by sheet of insulation foam to put under all of this and to start the landscaping last night...