Hi all, After having a lot of issues with laying Atlas track, I was wondering if Atlas track can be easily substituted with Kato's Unitrack. If it helps, my layout plan uses (from Atlas): 2501 5in Straight, 2510 9 3/4R full section, 2511 9 3/4R half section, 2520 11R full section, 2526 19R section, 2532 Rerailer Track, 2536 Bumper Track, 2548 Plate Girder Bridge, 2564 15 Degree Crossover, 2566 30 Degree Crossing, 2750 Custom Std #4 LH Switch, 2751 Custom Std #4 RH Switch, 2790 Turn Table, XXX 1 1/4in Straight, XXX 2 1/2in Straight
It would probably be better to find a Unitrack layout that's closest to the Atlas plan and go from there. Make no mistake Unitrack is a excellent track system that is bullet proof and simple to lay.
The Kato Unitrack has a joiner system which makes it very difficult to have a side-to-side kink or a sudden grade transition kink at a track joint, and these two types of kinks are among the leading causes of derailments in layouts which use sectional track. So this joiner system is a big plus with Unitrack. And if you can't get derailment-free running, trains can be frustrating instead of fun. You mention that you have an Atlas plate girder bridge. Does your intended layout plan include having any track go up and down in elevation so that it can go over another track? If so, and if you are trying to do this in a constrained space, you might forced into sudden grade transition kinks at your rail joints, which will cause big problems. And I don't think Kato Unitrack will actually let you do this (ask me how I know this, ha ha). Would you like to share a diagram of your intended layout?
User- which track plan did you use? What are the problems with the Atlas track? I assume this was Code 80 track. Do you have room to alter (in either or both directions) the external measurements of your layout? Have you finished all or part of the scenery? I am asking because it might be a lot easier and faster to rip up what you have done and replace with Kato. Nobody is going to negatively criticize your skills, judgment or anything else. We just need more information to properly and appropriately advise you. Lord know, if I were working on a real railroad instead of one in my basement, I would have been fired for gross negligence and terminal stupidity long ago. As recently as three weeks ago, I used a power drill to go through sheet metal and had the bit pointing towards me and my fat belly. A near thing it t'was.
I am a firm supporter of "Unitrack".........you will be "up & running" SO much faster, you won't believe it!! There is track planning software by the name of "Anyrail" that has a "Unitrack" library included, so you can design anything your little heart desires. It is VERY easy to use (I'm 60 & not all that computer savvy, and I figured it out in about 10 min. & designed my whole room size layout with it.) HAVE FUN!!.......that's my motto in model rr'ing.......if it ain't fun, it ain't worth it!!!! Also........some "Atlas" Code 80 stuff can be used with "Unitrack" ( ie-bridges, so they don't have to be a waste). If you decide to go that route, send me a "PM"..........I'll be happy to help if I can.
You should be able to do something very similar to what you have in the Atlas system. Kato Unitrack is probably one of the best systems out there. I've never had any trouble with it. You may want to use the Kato # 6 turnouts instead of the # 4s though. Fotheringill....Been there done that LOL Have put a couple drywall screws into my own fingers, and drill bits....don't ask LOL..........Mike
The new atlas code 65 tru-trak works pretty slick also. They have a fool proof way of joining it also. My whole layout is T-T, and I am getting ready to add about 50-60 more ft. of it as I take it down the wall to the other end of the room to make another layout.
