At this other hobby shop I go to, I noticed some of this stuff, and it looked really good. How is it performance wise?
Others have told me to say far away from Bachmann EZ track because of switch problems, poor electrical conductivity, etc.
Hi,
My layout uses HO unitrack and I am very please with it. Here are some of the pros and cons.
Easy to put together and take apart for tempoary layouts, or if you change your mind and want to alter the layout design.
Electrical conductivity is good. But you will need more than one power feed for anything bigger than a 4*8 oval.
Quicker to put a track down and test positioning etc.
Electric points are good and I have had no problems with them not working.
However,
It is expensive and there are not as many diferent pieces in HO as in N gauge.
Track geometry is strange and can limit your ideas a bit- but there are layout design software packages to help (I use anyrail).
Overall I am happy with the unitrack, because of its flexability, by which I mean if you don’t stick the track down you can easily re arange a section of track to for example add a siding or crossover etc. It is also great for putting a circle on the floor to just run a few trains then tidy it up after.
Give it a go. If you don’t like it you can always sell it again on ebay.
Paul
Thanks, I just bought some straight sections, plus one with wires attached. How do I connect this pre-wired section to my DC transformer? The instructions are mostly in japanese unfortunately, and not very precise in english.
There is a diagram on the back, but its kinda confusing. And can I hook this unitracks up to an MRC DCC transformer?
I love the look of this stuff, definately. I’m glad I bought it.
Hi,
I think the power feeder is designed to be used with the Kato transformer.
However, Kato do a power extension lead (24-843) which has connectors on one end that can connect to a screw terminal. Otherwise cut the plastic plug off the end, strip the wires back and put on the correct plug for your power supply.
I am not sure what the connections are on the MRC DCC but again you can cut the connector off and put your own connector on. If fact I did this and used the same connectors on the DC and DCC power pack so I can quickly convert from DC to DCC.
One good thing about the points is that they can be power routing or non power routing. That means that for DC you can have power routing and drive the loco onto one siding, switch the point and it does not move. With non-power routing you can use DCC and power is supplied to all tracks so you can drive any loco at any time without having to switch the point.
Hope that helps
Paul
BTW a fun thing about Kato HO track is that the turnouts work like spring switches - the force of the wire holding the track in place is just light enough that an engine or car will push them out of the way without derailing anything.
Yes, I use that all the time. Makes you lazy though, and if you don’t clear the turnout with all the wheels when you go back, it can lead to the front of a loco going one way and the rear another!.
Paul
Thanks guys, I just bought a special Kato adapter, and an MTH DCS terminal block, hooked it up to MRC prodigy advanced, now I am running in DCC.
I love this Kato track, I have never used code 83 before, but now I love it, not a single derailment, whereas with handlaying my own code 100 atlas track, there were always problems because I drove the nails in too deep, causing bumps and other nonsense. The roadbed on the Kato is the perfect color and texture too.
The KATO Unitrack systems in HO and N are both well engineered systems. We are using it on a 9’ by 40’ layout where we have both MTH DCS and DCC systems(Isolated from each other).The operation is flawless and we don’t experience the front truck derailment issues with MTH that others have (It’s the track!)The KATO code 83 railhead is narrower and more prototypical.We have taken the time to weather the track and blend the roadbed with additional ballast and it looks as good as hand-laid code 83.
The only short coming is that there is not as big as variety of sections as the N system.
I highly recommend this track system.
Rick
I was never a big fan of it until a friend of mine from my club started using it for his layout. It works just as well as Atlas code 83 track. I would never use it but a lot of people do.