I know the mantra is that most starter set power packs are junk, but since Kato is widely respected for the quality of their engines and Unitrack, I was wondering how their power pack is. 1 AMP at 12V, if I recall correctly. I’m looking at possibly powering the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge layout with Kato Unitrack (3x6’). As far as I know, there’s only one power pack you can get from Kato… right?
I’m interested to hear not just about the power and the output, but the tactile aspect of the control as well. Thank you.
I would forget hte Kato pack and just get an MRC pack.
The KATO Powerpak is a 1 amp power pack for ‘N’ gauge equpment. ALL powerpacks are rated in ‘Volt-Amperes’ which indicates how much ‘work’ they can do.
That said, it’s ‘packaging’.
If you plan to run 2 or more old Athearn HO Blue Box ENGINES I would recommend the 'heavier duty MRC 9500 (30VU). Those engines use 1 amp each to start.
If I were comparing 1 amp packs , I’d take the Kato.
Thank you Jay and Don for your replies. I do have a MRC Railpower 1370 (18VA) that I mainly use. I’ve been thinking about going with Kato Unitrack for my future layout/track purposes, and the way the switch controllers connect to the side of the Kato power pack looked pretty neat. I know that there’s a separate accessory you can get to use the Kato switch controllers with other power packs, yes.
Speaking of which, how can one find out how much amperage an engine draws? Do you have to use a specialized piece of testing equipment to find out?
Hyun, the Kato powerpack is designed specifically for unitrack, in that it has the connections you need for the entire Unitrack system, track, feeders, controls and extensions…they all fit together modularly, so soldering isn’t necessary if you don’t want, unless you love soldering of course. That’s the essential benefit of it, along with the fact it’s a perfectly fine and adequate basic powerpack. Plenty of juice for a smaller layout, like mine have been. Especially good for the Unitrack powered turnouts, which fit into specific port connections right into the side of the Kato powerpack…and because the Unitrack powered turnouts are a lot easier to deal with if you use the Kato controls. So in any case, it’s recommended as a second pack for the controls. Unless you’re spending the extra bucks to go distinctly up-power for a DC layout, I think the Kato powerpack makes a lot of sense for Unitrack users.
So the whole Kato power piece fits together in a DC world, which is what I operated for a while. Now I’m going DCC, but still plan to use the Kato powerpack to control the switches. It still has that use for me. Since I’m going DCC now after futzing about in DC for a while, I’m really glad I didn’t go out and spend more for a different basic powerpack than the Kato one.
PS…you can usually grab a Kato powerpack on E-Bay for about 35 bucks.
Last note…since I responded to a previous thread from you on Unitrack…upsides and downside of Unitrack have become evident to me in the fullness of time. I’m generally a Kato fan, as I indicated, it’s very dependable and I’ve had fun with it, so I don’t want to sound like I’m in any way sour. It’s clearly the best pre-ballasted sectional track. The turnouts have motors built under the track, so there’s not hiding of switch motors (very nice aspect). It’s easy snap-together, snap apart
Hi Shawnee,
Wow, thanks for an excellent reply. I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for taking time to write in such detail and depth.
The place you are right now sounds like where I’ll be when MRR can become a full-fledged hobby for me (not for a number of years!). Right now, with a two-year old and hopefully another baby in a year or two, MRR is something I can turn to late at night when I have some free time, just to sit back and watch the trains run back and forth. For this, I figure Woodland Scenic’s Scenic Ridge (as discussed in the other thread we’ve posted on) will be great for me–a nice-looking and (relatively) easy to build layout that’s self-contained that will afford me the greatest measure of enjoyment of the MRR hobby for where I am now.
I got (re)started in the hobby back in June, with Life-Like’s Power-Loc trackbed system. I liked how easy it was to assemble tracks; the downside was the very limited selection of track designs available, and the fact that after so many assembly and disassemly, the Power-Loc pieces are not staying put very well. Then I tried Atlas Code 80 sectional tracks with both foam and cork roadbed, and also tried out a section or two of flex track. They are all fine, but they also take a lot of time to do them right and get them to look good. Hence my interest in the Unitrack system.
I hear ya about ballasting. I’ve only done a bit of it with the Woodland Scenic Subterrain Scenery Kit, and I can’t say I showed natural aptitude! Which is another reason the Unitrack system is attractive. I see that Kato also has a ballast mix available–I might get that and just use it on the side edges of the track pieces to make the transition to the ground more seamless.
Thanks again for the in-depth and helpful reply. You’ve given me a lot to consider!