Kato USA should be seeing it soon but Japanese retailers have started taking reservations (released in Japan in late August) for Kato's V16 set which has been revealed to be a companion for the V12 and V14 concrete tie elevated curve sets. It's the same curvy track plan as the V12 and V14 only bigger: V12 - 381/414 super elevated curves (15"/16") V14 - Inner loop 282/315 (11"/12") V16 - Outer loop 447/480 (17"/18") The curves will also be available for purchase seperately as part 20-185 (2x 45 degree curves) and part 20-185 (2x 22 degree transition pieces).
They just need to go into the 20's now up to the 28 and things will be pretty set for really good radii on Unitrak layouts
20-185 is used as the part # for both the transition and the elevated curve sections? Since we already have 28.25" radius track I don't follow how this is wider. Unless you mean in the super elevated concrete tie line.
Typo on my part, it seems I can't edit the earlier post. The transition piece is 20-186. Yes there is a 28" curve section and an existing 18" curve section - both are 15 degrees and are meant to compliment the geometry of Kato's #4 and #6 switches rather then follow the 33mm track spacing used for 'regular' curves. The new curves let you run a broader double track mainline (or a 4 or 6 track line if you really want to) instead of the solitary 28" curve or mashup of 15 degree segments and straight pieces to simulate other radii. Kato has also added a 4 track wide catenary structure to the existing 2 track and single track versions. This allows Kato's main market (Japan) to better model some of their dense rail corridors (though I'm sure some eastern modelers could take advantage too).
I really like Kato's concrete tie track, and have the V12 set. I hope that they will release turnouts and single track pieces soon in concrete tie. This is their most prototypical looking track product in my opinion, and I will completely replace my existing wooden tie track (another manufacturer's product) as soon as Kato releases these pieces. I know that Kato's previous wooden tie track may be used to do this, but I just cannot accept that product's wide tie spacing. They really got their concrete tie track right, and I cannot wait to see them expand this line. Al
What do the full size railroads use for switch track on concrete tie lines? Do they use wood ties for the switches? The track here is all wood ties, so I can't just go and take a look.
90% of the time there will be standard wooden track switches (so by not having concrete tie turnouts, you're being prototypical). They're much easier to maintain than concrete tie switches, although regular concrete tie track is easier to maintain than wooden tie track. You can find concrete tie switches here and there, but they're not very common at all.
Glad to see bigger curves! Hopefully these will be availible soon here in the states, along with the concrete single straight track.
