Hi, I am new to the board but not the hobby. I just started in N scale. My dilemma is this: I need to make a light, N guage layout that I can move easily.(my wife likes to rearrange the house alot!) I have decided to use Unitrack since it is easy to use and less "permanent" if you will. This will allow me to pull it up and change the layout if I get a more permanent space. I have seen all the layout plans on Kato's website and I want other options. So, is there any other published plans using unitrack or is there any advice for changing a "regular" trackplan (atlas for instance) to unitrack with out pulling my hair out using the test and fit (and refit,etc) method of trial and error. I appreciate any assitance. Thanks!
Edit: removed redundant line. Hmm, I use the trial and error method. The key to it is to "do the math". Know what combination of straights equals what Once I had that down I just worked from one corner and grew out from there. Yes, lots of trial and error later it is very good. How much space do you have? [ May 14, 2005, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
Broncotrainman: Welcome to Trainboard. You can take any HO or N scale track plan and modify it for Kato Unitrack. The JJJ&E uses Unitrack and was modified from an HO trackplan. Stay cool and run steam......
Actually, I'm getting ready to build my 3rd Untrack layout, and I've never had a trackplan. I like the ability to work out the trackplan in real space. Published track plans for sectional and flex track are notorious for the "fudging" it takes to get that plan to fit into the space shown. The difference in geometry between different brands of switches can throw it off. There was a small layout site with some excellent Unitrack plans on it, but he moved the site and I lost track ( ) of it. Kato makes a track design template so you can draw out your ideas to scale on paper, or document something you tried on the dinette, and liked. At least one of the "Track-CAD" programs has a Unitrack component library, but I don't recall which one it is. I hope this additional information is helpful. I'll provide links if I can find them. Good luck with the new layout!
I hope you will find these helpul: George Karayan's Untrack Site: UNITRACK John Sing's Site includes his own small Unitrack layout, plus a ton of other information, all of it inspiring! ATSF ARIZONA Here is a group containing many good ideas. The components used are Atlas sectional, but the 9.75R and #4 switches are close to Unitrack components in their geometry. MINI LAYOUTS The one I miss was called "Mike's Small Trackplan Page" but the link no longer works. If you GOOGLE "mike small trackplan" you will find a link to it in cache, but you get a red "x" instead of illustrations. Does anyone have a link that works?
XTrkCad has a component library for Unitrack and is pretty easy to use. It has been completely free since March, but you'll need to put in the free registration code to have more than 50 pieces of track.
I built my layout using Unitrack from a plan a fellow modeler drew up for me. It took a little fiddling but Once I understood the sizes of Unitrack and the realtionship of the curve radius's to one another I found Unitrack to be very intuitive and easy to work with. Don't get hung upon the differences. And you can always use their adapters if you want to throw flex or Snap track components in their. Dave
I am thinking in the size range of 3'X5'. Maybe up to 6' or 8' long but no more than 3' or 3.5' wide. I would like to have a continuous mainline and some medium size industries. Maybe I should consider a switching layout? Thanks for all the input so far. I know I have seen several ideas for wood frame/foam surface tables. Is this rigid enough? I know it would be very light. Lastly, is it easier/cheaper to try and get a Kato set that has a number of the components you need or buy individual packs for each type of track?
Broncotrainman: You buy what you need to build a layout. You can start off with a numbered set just to get you moving. Stay cool and run steam....
I'm sure yiou have seen this thread: http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/33/t/000683/p/1.html I am about to start foam on wood frame using 1x4s and screws construction. I'm sure it willl be quite adequate.
I use Unitrack, In an extended oval as my ICE2 and Series 500 Bullet Trains love to stretch their legs..
Welcome to TRAINBOARD! WARNING: My input is bias to my personal preferences. The hollow core doors mentioned have many advantages such as nothing to build, sturdy, light weight, easily movable and storeable, and can be easily placed on a table or a pair of saw horses. I've actually got extras I pulled out of a pile from a remodel, so used doors can be had for free. Most are 6 1/2' to 7' long, 30"-36" wide. They styrofoam is mainly for scenery purposes, but does add sound deadening (important in a multi use room!) Since it sounds like you will not be attaching track to the table yet, it can be added later. I feel the hollow core door is to N scalers what the 4x8 plywood is to the HOers; except proportionaly we get more room that is more sturdy.
I thought about what you said and agree completely. The door panel allows for alot of layout in N as you say. an equivalent in HO scale would be...I did some figures. My math could be faulty. I came up with an HO scale size of 9.3 feet by 5.5 feet. The bedroom in my old house is roughly 9x9. It's pretty cool to think you get that much of a difference in size between the two. Ho scale =51 sq ft. N scale= 21 sq ft. That is a lot of real estate to build a layout on.
First welcome to Trainboard, and I think you made the right choice with Unitrak, it's deffinately designed with portability in mind. When starting my second and current UT layout, I purchased the track template and thought I would plan the layout through this tool. This became rather tedious and time consuming. So I did what others have said, sketch out a rough draft on paper and then assemble. I'm currently in the process of track assembly on my second UT layout. This will be a rather large UT layout. Its basically 4 4'X8' and 1 5'x8' shaped in the letter G, a squared letter G that is, bolted together. I'm using 1" thick foam 4x8 sheets that will overlap where the 4x8 benchwork meets, giving a smooth transition from section to section. There will be a double track main lower level and a double track main upper level. On my first UT layout I nailed a few pieces of track down in stategic places to keep lines straight. Now that I have foam as a base, what is the best way to attach UT to it? Elmers white glue or a special foam addhesive?
Dave: I used a hot glue gun to "glue" the Unitrack to the foam on the JJJ&E. You only have to "hot glue " the four corners of the Unitrack. The JJJ&E has been operational for 5+ years now with no problems. Stay cool and run steam.....
ac60cw: I'm glad that tip worked well for you. The hot glue gun is instant and the bond is immediate. The only pieces you have to be careful with are the very small straight sections. Stay cool and run steam.....
