...but when I do, it makes a nice DCC programming track I'm a Code 55 kinda guy, but I found a bin of used Kato Unitrack at a LHS, and the 9 3/4" straight piece was $1.50. Couldn't resist! So I got some 22 gauge wire, soldered them to the exposed bottom ends of the rails, ran them underneath, using adhesive caulk to keep the wires in place, drilled a hole on the side to let the wires through and connected it to my Digitrax system. Voila - instant programming track!
My programming track is on my Echo Yard LDE and is hand-laid code 40. However, Unitrack works perfectly in your application! I have to admit that I would probably not be able to bring myself to use it at all since I'm a code 55/40 hand-laid turnout/hand-laid code 40 track, elitist snob rivet-counter. (haha) Here's a photo of my programming track turned off so my son's two non-DCC Kato GS-4's can be parked on the layout without cooking them. Cheers! Bob Gilmore
Where on earth is this? Somehow I don't think that is your garage. That is a good idea for Kato track as I don't understand the attraction for using that, especially on large layouts. Expensive & too many rail joiners.
Wish I knew someone around here with DCC, so they could re-program(?) by Bmann 2-6-0 for better slow performance. Joe D
Haha...yeah, I WISH it were my garage! It's the restored Evanston Wyoming machine shop, next to the partially restored Evanston U.P. roundhouse and turntable. My son and I attend three shows a year, which involves breaking my layout down and transporting it to and from each show. Lots of work since I have eight modules to break down and set up. I won't get into the aesthetic problems with Kato Unitrack that I perceive, but the main problem for me and using DCC is that I run feeders from each section of rail to my sub-busses, then run them to my main busses. That would mean (in my wiring philosophy) that every section of Kato Unitrack would have two feeders to wire up. Feeder City dude!! Using ME 3' sections, that's only four sets of feeders (minimally) placed in the middle of each of four sections of flex per 6' module (double track mainlines). Cheers! Bob Gilmore
I use kato track and i made so far 20 3ft. sections using the rail from atlas flex track that had broken ties. I removed the rail from the kato track then cut the ends off one end of two pieces and the ends off the middle pieces then glued them all together and then put the 3ft. rail in place and now i have 3ft. long kato unitrack sections.
I agree its a great use for Unitrak. I also used mine for a loop around the back of my water heater in my old garage to get to a second level. The only way I could get track in was to preassemble it, and slide it back there. Worked great, and the Kato rails stayed pretty clean given the difficult location. Considered Unitrak on my new helix, and designed it as a 19" radius for that, but couldn't come up with six turns of the stuff in time for construction......
Good job, Metro. I did something similar. I have a Tupperware box with: 1) 2x 9" straight 2) 1x feeder section 3) 1x adaptor wire from the Kato plug to two pins I can screw into my Zephyr's terminal strip quickly 4) 1x adaptor wire from Kato plug to a stereo "headphone plug" 5) 1x Bachmann DC throttle with power pack (which happens to use a stereo headphone plug for the track connection). It's a handy portable programming/test track set, just add Zephyr. Unfortunately, the DC throttle died, so I need to replace that. It's pretty low priority, though. My on-layout programming track is my engine service track in the yard. So my locos can get programmed while they're getting fueled and sanded and watered.
Great, i am not alone..... I have used a UniTrak feeder track and 2 pieces of 9 inch track on either side for years as my programming track. I even have a strip of 5 - 9 inch pieces as a programming test section. It is mainly used to test consisting or special programming. I also use an oval of Unitrak for running DC locomotives to break in before decoder installs. Much handier that on the layout.
