Anyone out there using Kato Unitrack? I've been modeling in N Scale for about 12 years & recently started to aquire Unitrack. I'm surprised how little info on it there is availabale. I'm planning a 3' x 6.5' layout using unitrack exclusively, but have been unable to find any info on their selectors, controllers and reversing switches. Even have written to KatoUSA twice and received no reply. Would be interested in hearing from anyone else who has used unitrack. ------------------ royds
Well, heres my two sense on UNITRACK. I am a painter (as somw of you know) and a lot of space is taken up by equipment in the garage. I do decaling in my own room (I have set up a little work bech/office desk) and needed a place to have a layout so I turned to the sky...or..right above the door way is more like it. I have UNITRACK running the perimeter of the 11' by 11' room. I used it for cost and for reliability. I think unitrack doesn't look very good but on the other hand, it is easy to work with. All the joints on my layout are soldered so it is almost like the trains are running on a continuouse peace of rail. Any way, hope this can shed some light on your experience and GOOD LUCK!! Craig of BLMA ------------------
I have to disagree with Craig on his assessment of how the Unitrack looks. I think it looks better than the cracked ballast I've seen on many layouts. I think the secret is to weather the track. Since it is made of plastic, it doesn't take the India ink washes well. I solved that problem by making a very thin wash of drywall mud over the roadbed and then applying the ink wash. There are some great things being done with Unitrack. Ed Harrison
The Kato track argues with my sensibilities. Too stiff. On the other hand, just look at some of the fantastic modeling.
Check out the Unitrack users group here on Trainboard. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/group.php?groupid=50
As Jack noted, we have a very active Unitrack section here on TB. There are some fantastic things which can be done with it, whether going for temporary layouts, or a more permanent with scenery.
Unitrack advantages: * Reliable operation. The stiff roadbed evens out the asymmetries in amateur benchwork that cause derailments. * Ability to plan layout by laying out track on living room rug to see if it works out as well as you thought. * Ability to salvage all or most track if layout has to be taken down due to a move or changing objectives. (This is an important advantage.) * Prototypical-looking easements can be creating by starting and ending curves with R718-R481 * R481 curved track can be double- and even triple-tracked due to latitude in Unijoiners; R381 can be double-tracked * DCC compatible (exception: signal system) * DCC turnout decoders can be positioned within #6 turnouts - use track power, no wiring runs * Unijoiners are designed to maximize electrical contact, eliminating the need to solder rail gaps. * Terminal Unijoiners or 62mm power connnectors eliminate need to solder power feeds. Power can also be provided by inserting AWG 24 braided wire into Unijoiners, bending wire around the Unijoiner case, and connecting Unijoiner to track so that wire is locked into place. * Good market for clean, used Unitrack. Unitrack disadvantages: * High cost. However, it isn't difficult to find used Unitrack in good condition on Trainbroard or eBay. * No. 4 turnouts need some minor work to operate reliably. See the posts in the Unitrack group. It's best to keep the #4 turnouts off the main. But... * No. 6 turnouts don't work well with the 33mm double-track spacing. #6 dual crossover preserves 33mm track spacing but is not prototypical for most North American operations. * Tie spacing is not prototypical. * Code 80 rail is not prototypical. * Big blue turnout controls are too big. Can be replaced by SPDT momentary/center-off switches. * Significant power loss can occur across Unijoiners. DCC users should use feeds every 3-4 track sections. -Bryan
Very well said Bryan. I'm a Unitrack guy and wouldn't go back to flex track, but I know that it's not for everyone. Your explanation is fair and accurate.
I have found that the Kato Uni-track is very reasonably priced if you are not set on a specific plan. I've moved several times and I used to have to re-purchase my destroyed peco switches and atlas track or rebuy flex track and cork roadbed when I decided to rebuild an area. My uni-track comes up and allows for re-use. I have a 15 x 30+' layout now that is continually expanding, and have no running issues or power dropage while running 5 trains (total of 12 locomotives and approx 21 cars on each train) with the Digitrax dcs 50. Actually the best reason is in one evening I had it running and after each change in track design I have very little down time.
