I would like to have some information about Kato Unitrack Pro’s and con’s. If there is someone who has used Kato track I have a couple of questions about wiring. I’m fairly new with model railroading and just trying to learn. I have put up one track plan before with Atlas and cork bed. Had to tear it down when I moved so am starting over at my new location. Thought Kato Unitrack would be easer, faster etc but at this point I’m not so sure. I have purchased all the Bill of Material from Kato web site track plan called C&NW II ( Cheap and Nothing Wasted II) I am building N scale Plan and need some advise or should I say Help.
Kerob
I’ve built a small N-scale layout on a 36"x80" using using Kato Unitrack.
I also used Railcraft Code 70 Flex track for the siding and 2 industry tracks on the layout.
The Unitrack looks nice and is bullet-proof. Yes it does cost more than the other brands, but is well worth it.
As far as wiring goes, I only have 2 wires between the track and my walk-around GML throttle as the kato switches route power depending on which way they are thrown.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again on my next layout.
gtirr
I use the HO Unitrack to play with my trains, although it is not set up permanently. I put it together and take it back apart frequently. It’s very durable and well made, but expensive. If you don’t mind the expense, I believe it is worth getting. Flextrack and cork is preferable to me because of the infinate possibilities with track layout, but if I were going to use sectional track on a permanent layout, this is what I would use.
-Joe
I am currently perfecting a Kato HO unitrack plan for my DV&W replacement layout. The current layout is Atlas, but my mediocre track laying skills and the superior performance of Kato track has led to the change. My wife’s layout is all Kato N scale and that is what sold me on it for HO.
A little bit of “weathering & detailing” and it looks way better than any I ballasted by hand on cork. It’s expensive. My current layout cost about $300.00 in track on a 4x8. My plan for the new DV&W is 6x8, two levels. Looking at about $2000.00 just in track!! But for performance, reliability and appearance, it is well worth it to me.
The wiring of Unitrack isn’t any different than wiring normal track, except that dropping feeders is a bit of a challenge. The best way to do the feeders is to either use the Terminal joiners (which can get very expensive in a hurry), or make your own terminal joiners. Doing so is essentially a matter of buying a bag of unijoiners, carefully popping the metal rail joiner out of the plastic joiner, soldering a feeder wire to the bottom of the metal joiner, carefully reinserting it and voila, home made terminal joiners for 1/10 the cost.
I just saw the Kato unitrack recently at the train show in Springfield and I must admit, I WANTED IT> It does look damn good and better than the life like track. It looks pretty good. I would just get it to make a small cool N scale track in my computer room for the hell of it. It is quite expensive though which is a big CON for me. IF I spend that much I am thinking of what I can buy in HO.
www.toytrainheaven.com has the best price for the stuff. I’ll probably do my next layout using it.
Kato Unitrack is a great product although it would be even better if it included crossovers and curved switches. Its the ONLY product that stays physically connected without fail, on a temporary layout. It has the BEST and most RELIABLE electrical connectivity of any non-soldered track. The concept of building the switch motor into the track bed is brilliant. For more information you may wi***o join the special interest group. Contact KatoUnitrack-owner@yahoogroups.com for more information.