switching

[STANLEY O MONTGOMERY]

I going to build a small 1ft wide x4ft long switching shelf layout with possible added sections; my question is, I do have some unitrack,peco flex, atlas flex and peco turnouts all n scale, I have used kato for small mini layouts and it's great, and also used the others in the past, but for a small switching layout with some ground level areas like a yard would using peco or atlas work just as well as kato and is there any differance in performance at such slow speeds with peco or atlas than using kato which works great for loops and main lines or use kato ,thanks

[NeO6874]

It'll all work fine -- biggest problem you're gonna have would be mating the Unitrack to the regular stuff, because of the plastic roadbed ... well assuming you were gonna be using it.

 

Edit -- TBH, I'd stay away from the Unitrack because of the plastic roadbed -- it's more "mainline" looking to me, so wouldn't look right in a yard, without building up the surrounding landscape to cover the roadbed.  If you can pull it out of the roadbed, then that'll be fine -- but at that point, why go through the expense of buying the Unitrack instead of flextrack or the plain "panel track"?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, you can´t just pull of the track from the roadbed.

If you plan on kato Unitrack in your layout, fill the gap between tracks with some thin Styrofoam or even cardboard sheets. To enhance the look of Kato Unitrack, you can spray paint it and add ballast to get a more realistic look.

[retsignalmtr]

You can use Kato Unitrack with Atlas flex and Peco switches. You just have to shim up the Atlas and Peco track to the height of the Unitrack. I happen to be building a pair of three foot modules to become a six foot switching area for a T-Trak layout. I use Kato unitrack at the ends of the modules and fill in with Atlas flex and Peco settrack insulfrog switches ST-5 and ST-6. These are 9-3/4" radius which are perfect for a switching module but not too good for mainline use.

[BRAKIE]

I used Kato's Unitrack on my dinning room table yard switching layouts but,never liked the looks.

Had I followed through with my planed industrial switching layout(ISL) I planed on using Peco switches and Atlas flex track.

[STANLEY O MONTGOMERY]

I do know that i can join atlas and peco with unitrack but I was wondering about the extra width with kato roadbed vs say atlas or peco for space if I don't use just track on foam base. my main concern would be eletrical and derailment since it would be slow speeds and manual throw turnouts, I do love kato but would it be practical for this type of layout .thank for input .

[BroadwayLion]

In a yard, or for other switching operations, LION would not use any roadbed. IT would be quite unrealistic. I am not aware that unitrack has the proper variets of switches as might be found in a yard, but then Maybe the LION has been in the monastery too long and has never looked at unitrack let alone N scale unitrack.

Speed across switches is typically frog x 2. Ergo a Number 6 turnout permits 12 mph across the diversion. A number 4 = 8, a number 8 = 16.

For Yard work, LION typically cuts the switches down to fit the design of him. Unitrack is not as ameniable to alterations.

ROAR

[retsignalmtr]

Whed using Unitrack to flex, cork should be used but the rail height of the unitrack is still slightly higher than the flex over the cork and still has to be shimmed. Sheet cork can be used to give the effect of the track being lower than the main.

[cuyama]

You also received some useful comments the last time you asked a similar question that you might wish to review:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/230451.aspx

[STANLEY O MONTGOMERY]

I did see your shelf layout and being in the same situation as far as room you inspired me to try somthing like it, just a couple questions 1 what thickness is the wood; 2 width and lenght of modules; is room for double track, Iuse kato n scale track and thought locos in differant directions would be neat. hope to see more pictures sir madog,