Unitrak v EZ Trak Thanks to swap meets, I have been fortunate enough to purchase large quantities of both over the past few years, and built layouts using each. I have high opinions of both, but my current home layout is 100% UniTrak, which I got for a song, so to speak. But a few years ago, I built two 2x4 layouts for display at train shows which sat on folding convention tables, each separate layouts but interlocked at the ends to form a larger layout, all with EZ Trak. Ran it for several years even in the outdoors, and had very few track failures, as well. The one advantage I noticed was that EZ Trak easily fit conventional Flextrak with standard rail joiners, while the Kato did not. Kato, instead had transition pieces which enabled connectivity with other tracks. Both ran and run superbly, as I have a close friend with a room sized layout of EZ Trak, but keep in mind for it to be as seamless as all say above, it must be mounted on a smooth un-bumpy undersurface and connections must be true and snug. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
The only track that may be literally "bulletproof" is large scale LGB track. An LGB demonstration proved a small elephant can step on the tracks with no damage to it. As for EZ track, I don't really care for it. The Poison Control recommends attempting to run a train on it to induce vomiting.:realmad1up:
Pop the Unijoiner out, and connect to Flextrack with a regular rail joiner. You will have to use some kind of roadbed to get the rail to the same level. Andy Tetsu Uma
As I posted way back in #3 of this topic, "just use standard N scale rail joiners." The Kato joiners pop right out and flex hooks up perfectly. Boxcab E50
Having bought a few Bachmann box sets, one Life-Like box and one Kato box set, I have a little experience with snap track (not the turnouts). I have it all in a suit case with some power packs for when I travel (except the LL which I don't ever use). The Bachmann runs well if the joiners are tight and its all snug, but it is not that quick to snap together. Also, the rail joiners bend/loosen after a couple of uses so getting a snug fit takes more work (replacing rail joiners). The Kato snaps quickly and runs well with less work. This is what I go to first. I want more Kato ... I just gave some of the Bachmann away to a cousin with locos and no track.
It's crazy that I even have to ask this but....you don't actually believe it's bulletproof, right? Just means durable, hard to break, difficult to disturb. (often used to describe Jimmy Johnson's hair when he coached the Dallas Cowboys) The term is used to describe how, compared to virtually ANY other track product it is more reliable, more true, easier to assemble, easier to disassemble, and performs better. Other than that, yeah it's just like everything else. That "label" didn't happen "somewhere in time". It happened over MANY YEARS of EXEMPLARY performance from the product. It's laughable to even compare it to EZ-Track or Atlas True-Track. And that's even before you consider what track pieces aren't available with the others. And really....tie spacing? The biggest ANTI-rivet-counter in the history of model railroading boasting of inferior TIE SPACING? Surely you jest. My contention has always been...if you care so much about tie spacing, you're not using roadbed track to begin with.
When I first got back into the hobby I purchased a set HO and after using the EZ track and then Kato in N scale I would never use EZ track again. The function of the Turnouts with EZ track was so frustrating. No contest Kato by far
Nothing today is "bullet proof" or 100% mistake free. That is why modern cars have seat belts, airbags and insurance. There are things that are easier to use and less likely to mess up. Unitrack has the reputation to be easier to use for the person who doesn't want to mess with roadbed and ballast chores. I agree with Doug, if the person is wanting a ballast included sectional track, things like tie spacing is not nearly as important as operational ability. Yes, the two brands can connect to the other as well as other types of track. Kato has made a name for it's track based on it's availability, breadth of the line and the simple use. I have both types of track. I have run trains on both. I lean towards Unitrak for my T-Trak and display modules for simple reasons. T-Trak uses it as a standard. I have found I can connect, disconnect and re-connect multiple times with Unitrack and have the same reliable use. I simply like the looks of the painted Unitrack over my monotone EZ-Track. If EZ-Track is now painted, forgive my ignorance. My EZ-Track is over ten years old. Like anything people will have opinions, many hotly debated. I give you an opinion based solely on my experience, take it as such. Jim
Unitrack all the way I am switching from HO to N scale and don't want to deal with separate roadbeds again. I just completed a recent look at all of the roadbed attached track and hands down Unitrack has more options,better performance and overall price is not a big factor. I was able to secure most of the track and turnouts I needed via Ebay for about 30% less then retail. I would advise your friend to go with Unitrack they will not be disappointed.
WEeeeeeeeeeeeellllll.... lets see... bul·let·proof [bool-it-proof] Show IPA –adjective 1. (of vehicles, glass, clothing, etc.) capable of resisting or absorbing the impact of a bullet. ( Obviously Unitrack ISNT ) 2. Informal . safe from failure; ( Obviously Unitrack ISNT ) without errors or shortcomings and beyond criticism: ( Obviously Unitrack ISNT ) a bulletproof system; ( Obviously Unitrack ISNT ) a bulletproof budget. ( Obviously Unitrack ISNT ) In conclusion: Unitrack ISNT 'Bulletproof'.... and people should QUIT using the term 'Bulletproof' when describing Unitrack !! Those that dont will have the NMRA Ninjas repossess all their model railroading stuff !~ :tb-tongue: And furthermore... And really....tie spacing? The biggest ANTI-rivet-counter in the history of model railroading boasting of inferior TIE SPACING? Surely you jest. My contention has always been...if you care so much about tie spacing, you're not using roadbed track to begin with.. People will scream bloddy murder because a loco is painted wrong. Scream about ditch lights, handrails, trucks, body height, couplers, fans and a slew of other 'NON-prototypical' flaws with a loco...but when it comes to prototypical track...the heck with it ??? :tb-wacky: Isnt that a little hypocritical at best ?? Ya cant be half ar$ed prototypical and be taken seriously...Just sayin :tb-wink: .
I believe I may have been the first to inadvertently use the term "bullet-proof". EXCUSE ME!! for stirring up a firestorm of criticism!! As any of us who have ever been in combat know, NOTHING is ever truly "bullet proof". "Unitrack" is a finely crafted, sturdy product, that will stand up well to use, and some mis-use..............and I don't give a damn about tie spacing. I'm 60, got bad eyes, and probably couldn't tell the difference anyway!! :tb-cool: (LOL)
You're right, it is laughable to compare Unitrack to True-Track, True-Track looks so much better that Unitrack isn't even in the same league! I also get a tighter, smoother, better looking joint between sections with True-Track than with Unitrack; however, you can take Unitrack apart and put it back together 100 times and still get as good of a connection as the first time, you do that with True-Track and you will loosen the rail joiner. IF True-Track had the selection that Unitrack does, I would choose it in a heartbeat over Unitrack for a permanent layout, but nothing I've tried even comes close to Unitrack for a layout that gets change or taken down and put back up.
ties we are all different of course. i chose atlas true track because it looks so much better, in my opinion, than any code 80 track on the planet. i dont regret my decision, but i miss not having all the unitrack pieces they offer
Ok ok, literally.. Yes Unitrack is NOT bulletproof. But figuratively, it's pretty darn close! There are numerous examples and stories of young children setting up and running trains on Unitrack. That sounds pretty "bulletproof" to me. How about a compromise George? We'll stop calling Unitrack Bulletproof and instead say: Unitrack; so easy a caveman can use it.
Unitrack works the way it does because it was designed for the Japanese market where, in the typical small Japanese apartment or home, your layout is set up temporarily on the floor after dinner and packed away again to make room to go to bed, and when the Unijoiner finally does give up the ghost from being pulled apart so many times you just pull it out and replace it. IMHO True Track still needs a better variety of more realistic looking turnouts than the one they've got.
Ahh jeez, did you HAVE to say that? I mean, WOW! We're people too! I have unitrack and I find it to be a very flexible system to use for designing a small layout on the fly. I looked at Atlas True-Track at Trainfest in Milwaukee, looks very nice but, as mentioned numerous times, it doesn't have as many options. Sure is pretty though and I think a caveman could use it too. Gregory
If you're worried about tie spacing you're in the wrong thread. That is the domain of the rivet counter. Sectional track and rivet countering should never be in the same post. But if your worried about the choice between the number two track in Japan and the 900th track choice in the world. I'd have to pick the Unitrack. But on my next layout I'm going with Tomix track. It has greater variety track than Kato and has an a integrated operating bus system. The only drawback is that the closest hobby shop that sells it is in Japan. But in the modern world that is only a time problem. By the way the Kato "Snap Track" adapter was designed to connect Tomix and Kato. Any Code 80 can be easily joined to any other Code 80 track.
