is kato track worth the money for a shelf layout? it will be 1' by6' i found the plan online and it is just what im looking for. it has 10 turnouts
If you want almost bulletproof track I would say yes. Will the plan you found work with the kato sectional pieces?
I say go for it. The turnouts hurt the pocketbook a bit, but they are indeed bulletproof and they include the switch machines so it's not so bad. Plus, you can reconfigure your small layout as much as you want, which is fun in and of itself.
http://www.thortrains.net/npoorb.html that is the sight i am looking at. it is the second plan. i am looking at the second one. i am going to nock out 3 switches. it looks a bit crowded so i took out the ones that made it crowed.
Sorry to be a pain-in-the-***, but I think you'll want to do a little redesign also. You have to be able to run your engine around to the other side of a car or cut of cars. Take the example of pulling a car from the upper left corner. How are you going to drop it on any siding on the far right of the layout without trapping your engine? Obviously, the other way around doesn't work either. Also in using Kato unitrack (highly recommended), you'll have to do some redesign. They don't have a 45 degree crossing, for one. You might want to buy their template to help you. [ 12. November 2004, 10:21: Message edited by: steamghost ]
It is worth it, the turnouts are great. I would use the #6 turnouts, #4's are not as smooth. ( true of all track brands ) You can also rearrange the track and really test it out before you glue it down. If you don't ballast it and use a small amount of glue it can be reused on the next layout. If you don't use Kato, Peco turnouts are the best of the regular track types. ( I have not tried ME ). Just my opinions and 2 cents. Loco1999
