Looking for info on HO Unitrack

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I’ve been a collector for of N scale for 10 years and have recently decided to sell my N scale stuff and make the switch to HO. I’ve been collecting HO for about 8 months now and find I’m doing the same thing, collecting. My wonderful wife I was talking about track the other day and she suggested that I order as much Unitrack as I want to be able to make a small layout. I really like the idea that I can set it up, take it down, or rearrange it if I want with little hassle. I really want to order it but do have some reservations about it and I need some answers before proceeding.

Is the #4 turnout to sharp for Proto2000 0-8-0, GP7/9 and 50’ box cars?

How well do the turnouts work both #4 and #6, do the trucks dip at the frog?

I’ve been looking at Kato website and noticed you can buy a manual turnout and separate turnout machine and save yourself about $10 a turnout for a #6 turnout. Is this advisable are there any drawbacks going this route?

Any other advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lucas Barnlund
Sitka, Alaska

2

Lucas, I might be able to help a little. I am building a layout now with HO unitrack. Here’s a few answers:

  1. The #4 turnout comes in two types - manual and powered. But that is not the only difference. The manual turnout has a 19 1/4" radius curve while the powered has a wider 21 5/8" curve. So the question is, can the Proto2k 0-8-0, etc. make those turns. I used the powered turnout with 21 5/8" curve cause that should allow most engines and rolling stock through. I would recommend the same and I am sure they will be fine.

  2. There is a key difference bewteen the #4 and #6 HO kato turnouts. The powered #4 turnout has a metal frog and is ‘power routed.’ However, the gaps are nice and wide and I have had no issues with trucks or wheels hitting thre frog. The #6 turnouts are wonderful because they have plastic frogs (DCC friendly) and have a dip switch for making them ‘power routed’ or ‘non-power routed’ at your choice. I made mine non-power routed for DCC.

  3. I don’t know about buying the manual #6 turnouts and then adding the machine. I bought about 35 of the powered #6 turnouts and never looked back. You can find them for as low as $34 in some places.

I say got for it! I hope this helps.