I was wondering how many of you people on the boards here use, or have used Kato Uni Track? I am working on my first "real" layout and with the help of ChesapeakeNscaler I got the beginnings of an awesome layout. I realize it might not look as authentic as handlaid or Peco that is ballasted and what not, but it is alot easier on my nerves and hey !! I'm running trains !! Bill Meiggs chesapeake va norfolk southern modeler
Bill: The closest I've come to a home layout was a UniTrack oval to test stuff out. I thought it was great (not as good as sliced bread, but oh well...) What I really appreciated was not having trackwork problems; getting a good surface the first time. A couple of issues ago in N Scale Magazine, there was an article on a layout using only UniTrack, so you're not the first. The published layout looked good, and, most importantly, worked! So, my advice would be - go for it.
Hi Bill, For the life of me I can't remember the guys name , but he has a layout built from Kato Uni Track and has shared his tips for making it look better. Looks pretty good to me. Web Site Brian
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brian K: Hi Bill, For the life of me I can't remember the guys name...Brian<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Was it me? I've made plenty of posts about Unitrack and have built several layouts with it. One of my photos is on the site you referenced. Here is the link. Here are some of my Unitrack tips.
I chose unitrack on my second layout strictly for ease of operation. I would second those comments on the looks, but being a rather impatient soul it saved me alot of time not having to ballast the track. Another important aspect of unitrack is that since you dont have to ballast the track, (and in my case chose not to nail the track down) I can use it on my 3rd yet to be built layout in the future.
It is our first layout also, and we are using Kato Unitrack. We really like it mostly for the reason that we can run trains so early. We are worried about the realism a little, but we think it will lood alright.
You can't beat Unitrack for reliability, durability and ease of use - it is excellent for those with temporary or first time layouts. I use it myself, after becomming too frustrated with Atlas snap track coming apart, derailments, poor continuity and general pain in the buttness. My biggest complaints are its price and appearence, but these are minor, since places like Toy train Heaven and Nless trains of RI have pretty good discounts, and looks are ok for temporary - much better than snap track. [ 19 May 2002, 18:17: Message edited by: ajb ]
Back in the early 90's, between layouts, I bought some Unitrak so that I could do some kitchen table railroading. When I started a new layout, I incorporated the Unitrak into the new one keeping it all in one section. If I were to start all over again, lazy as I am, I believe I would opt to do the entire layout with it. It works great and is, basically, maintenance free.
There better not be, or there will be a great deal on a Digitrax Chief set up on eBay Actually, from what I've seen on both the Unitrack and NDCC Yahoo Boards, it seems that Unitrack and DCC get along just fine. In about 2 weeks, hopefully I will be able to give a first hand report
Bill: I'm using only Kato Unitrack exclusively on my layout except for the track coming off the turntable and going into the roundhouse. I am very happy with the Unitrack performance and lack of continuity problems. Only rarely do I have to change out a faulty Unijoiner. The track between the turntable and roundhouse is Peco code 80 and using Peco rail joiners it ties in nicely to the Unitrack with a 3/32nd of an inch spacer underneath the Peco ties. Atlas ties have a lower profile than Peco ties and are also not as long, but by using Peco unijoiners you can tie Kato Unitrack nicely to the Atlas rail on Atlas bridges. Peco ties are too long to fit in the depression for the ties on the Atlas bridges. Ive installed 250 ft of kato Unitrack in the switchyard along with 31 #6 and two #4 Unitrack turnouts. All are remote controlled. I used only kato Unitrack turnouts in the switchyard because they are reliable, easy to install and easy to move or replace if required, with no under table operators to mess with. Look carefully at the pictures of the Unitrack installations that Trainboard members have sent to the board for you to look at. You will be impressed as I was. I believe that you can now buy Matching Kato Unitrack ballast in bulk in the USA. I have not seen any in Canada yet. If you want to contact me off Trainboard feel free to do so and I can give you some prudent tips about using Kato Unitrack that will save you money. Go with Unitrack.
I have used Kato Unitrak now for about 2 years and I love. I used to have all kinds of electrical problems, not my best area, and derailments. Now I don't have any and with a little work, you can fix the appearance of the track, As far as DCC, I'll be switching over soon and from what I found out is that the only problems relate to the Kato Unitrak accesories, like the signals and crossing gates.
I use it and I love it. I lay down Unitrack with snaking curves and a sort of easements, and it looks very nice. I also have ordered the Unitrack balast to make it even look better then it is now. Paul
