Traverser using Kato Unitrack

[RonDB]

I am looking to using a traverser for my fiddle yard.
I have made up a mock to see if the idea will work which looks that it will.
But before doing any more work I need to sort out the track joining issue.
At the moment it would join using a straight expansion track but these are quite fragile and will soon break with contast use.
I wondered if anyone had any suggestions that could help to get round the problem.
I know that if used another track make it would be a lot easier but unitrack is what I have and I don't want to pay out for new track if I can find a solution.

Thanks

Ron

[Newportnobby]

Not being a Kato user I've no idea of the lifespan of the extendable Kato pieces. Maybe a short length of Peco code 80 (I seem to recall it's the best match to Kato) between the Unitrack on the traverser and on the layout?
Put a piece of card between the layout and the traverser, fit a short length of Peco, cut with either Xuron cutters or razor saw, remove card and it will close the gap such that stock should just run over it with no probs.

[Malc]

I agree with NPN. Just butt the rails close together. Several traverses I have seen at shows use a flying leads with a crocodile clip on to connect power to the required rail.

[mickd247]

Looking at your picture it appears that the track would line up with the traverser by sight?

If this is correct why not just use your Kato track taken right to the edge of the baseboard and the traverser without any unijoiners fitted? 



Mick


Malc beat me to it!!!

[Gizzy]

I've used the extendable pieces of Kato rail to join the tracks on my 2 base boards, numbering 8 in total.

They seem to work well enough, but I did manage to separate one by accident. I managed to put it back together, but it was a fiddly job to do.

I have a couple of spare ones JiC.

Your idea of using one of these extending rail pieces is a good one IMO....

[ntpntpntp]

Traversers normally just rely on lining up the rail ends (no sliding joiners or rails).   If you find it's not secure/stable  enough you can use something like small sliding bolts to lock the selected track in place and also to carry the power.



http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/fiddleyards.htm

[Railwaygun]

Traversers normally just rely on lining up the rail ends (no sliding joiners or rails).   If you find it's not secure/stable  enough you can use something like small sliding bolts to lock the selected track in place and also to carry the power.





http://www.009.cd2.com/members/how_to/fiddleyards.htm

As the point of a traversed is to allow easy loading/ unloading of trains, there is no need for Unitrack connectors - the brass tube/ wire arrangement here provided power, and ensures the rails lion eup and are level.

This might be an alternative:

https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=7079.msg388851#msg388851

@RonDB

[RonDB]

Thanks all for your comments,I have been working on an idea and I have made up a test one thats works fine its just a case of now improving it.

Ron