Hello
Apologies if this is in the wrong section
Looking for some ideas / good Kato track plans if anyone has any to share ?
Also regarding Kato points, I have been reading on another forumthat certain points are prone to loco derailment, if so which points are best to use ?
Lastly, joining two points together to make a crossover can be problematic with the plastic ballast getting in the way, I assume the way round this is too cut some of the plastic ballast off to make it fit ?
Cheers
Quote from: Euston on April 18, 2022, 09:51:29 PM
... I assume the way round this is too cut some of the plastic ballast off to make it fit ?...
Yes. As an example, #4 points come with additional pieces to bring outgoing track parallel, and as you can see from the illustration, one piece has the plastic ready-cut. Additional cuts can of course be made if required, taking care not to compromise the integrity of the track bed.
#6 points presumably can be similarly treated although I have no experience/knowledge in this case.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/121/6273-180422225559.png) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=121938)
this helpt me some:
http://www.sumidacrossing.org/ModelTrains/TrackandRoadbed/KatoUnitrack/KatoViaductsandTrack/ (http://www.sumidacrossing.org/ModelTrains/TrackandRoadbed/KatoUnitrack/KatoViaductsandTrack/)
Gerard :wave:
:hellosign:
Euston , the `6` points by Kato are longer 186 mm, considered to be almost fail safe & need no alteration or extra pieces.
For lots of Kato track advice go down to the `Track & Underlay section, first two posts are just for `Kato`.
stay safe regards Derek (a very happy `Kato` user)
The problem with the #6 points is they give a distance between parallel tracks of roughly 2 metres. They're far better than the #4s though, which I find poor.
In regards to the track plan; may I recommend AnyRail?
It's a software used to plan out model railways. I personally use it all the time. It's got tons of tracks from all sorts of manufacturers and in all sorts of gauges. Including Kato N.
You can download a free demo, which has all the content and features of the full version, just with a track piece limit of 50.
Thank you to everyone who replied, it's appreciated
I will have alook at the Kato section on these boards and look into anyrail - can it be used on a mobile device?
Regarding Kato points & parallel track, so if I were to connect two #4 points on parallel track - this can be problematic?
So the solution is to use #6 points ? But like njee20 says - it creates a gap between the tacks which is not ideal.
What about those ready made Kato single & double cross over tracks - are they more reliable?
Thanks again for everyone's advice, it's greatly appreciated
Quote from: Euston on April 19, 2022, 05:54:40 AM
Kato single & double cross over tracks - are they more reliable?
As regards the double crossover tracks, I had two on
'Averingcliffe' and they were a joy to use. All four points move at the same time with one throw of the switch. The only time I encountered a problem was when I had done some ballasting - whatever you do, keep glue and bits of ballast well away from the little switch cut outs! If ballasting in the area of any Kato point, cover the switch cut out with a bit of masking tape or similar. ;)
Quote from: Euston on April 18, 2022, 09:51:29 PM
Also regarding Kato points, I have been reading on another forumthat certain points are prone to loco derailment, if so which points are best to use ?
Sadly, derailments do happen on the #4 points with some stock, but Mike Fifer (North American modelling guru) shows how to modify them.............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRNAsbz-JqI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRNAsbz-JqI)
I believe the same issue does not apply to #6 points but they are far larger and thus take up more space
Kato threads here
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=131.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=131.0)
I've never had problems with #4 points, with us/uk/euro/ japanese stock.
However for those of us who like running / playing trains, it's ideal! ) rather than glueing one's s beard to the scenery!
Thank you dannyboy and Newport Nobby
That's great to hear about the double crossover, and yes I actually being reading something you written in another topic of the forum dannyboy today funnily enough about ballasting Kato track and how you use a tiny blob of pva glue to hold track in place, so thanks, there is great advice from you which I definitely will be doing aswell
And thanks for the video, I'll take alot, but will avoid those #4 points if possible unless it's absolutely essential
Now I just need to find and settle on a good track plan
Cheers
Quote from: Railwaygun on April 19, 2022, 11:12:20 AM
Kato threads here
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=131.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?board=131.0)
Thanks railwalgun
That's encouraging to know #4 points can be problematic free.
I don't plan on doing anything too complicated, just like to be able to switch trains from track to track and few sidings
I've never had problems with #4 points, with us/uk/euro/ japanese stock.
However for those of us who like running / playing trains, it's ideal! ) rather than glueing one's s beard to the scenery!
The only issue I have had with the crossover is when I accidentally operated it with a loco on it. I use levers to activate my points and picked the wrong one. There is a bit of spring steel that flicks the rail across. It fits in a small loop on the underside of the rail and as the rail couldn't move, it sprung out. It was very fiddly to get it back.
Malc thanks for that, I can only imagine how tricky it must of been trying to put a tiny spring back into the mechanism, not something I would ever want to do.
The levers you use, are they the blue Kato ones,? As I was planning on using them and will have to be extra careful I don't do the same as you as I know I wouldn't have the patience to attempt to fix the point if it got damaged
@Euston (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6144)
Just going off at a bit of a tangent, if you ever wanted to try something different to the blue Kato point switches, a mini DPDT, (centre off) switch can be used - and they are a lot smaller. They are ideal if you want to operate things from a flat panel. :)
Kato USA have some track plan ideas:
https://www.katousa.com/track-plans/n-plans.html (https://www.katousa.com/track-plans/n-plans.html)
Steven B.
:hellosign:
Just thought I'd mention SCARM as alternative track planning tool, the website has lots track plans as well. (Very happy user)
stay safe regards Derek
Thanks again for replying and advice, very helpful
dannyboy - sounds interesting your idea with points - but I would have no idea what I'm doing with that method
And scarm - are these mobile friendly or is it essential you have a laptop/pc ?
@Euston (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6144)
If you ever do decide to go down the DPDT switch route, just let us know, somebody would be able to help. In fact, the very first DPDT switches I bought for the Kato points were advertised as such on ebay, although I have not seen any for quite a while.
Thanks dannyboy for that, might take you up on the offer of advice in future, as definitely sounds interesting
What does everyone do for station platform (if any) on the layout with Kato track ?
As I was going to go with Kato station platform and paint them / detailing them up to make them look more British
Quote from: Euston on April 19, 2022, 05:32:28 PM
And scarm - are these mobile friendly or is it essential you have a laptop/pc ?
Both Scarm & Anyrail are Windows programs
https://www.scarm.info/index.php (https://www.scarm.info/index.php)
https://www.anyrail.com/en (https://www.anyrail.com/en)
Colin
Scroll down for N scale plans...
https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/index (https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/index)
:thumbsup:
I typically only use #4s for yards as they're not really meant for higher speeds on the main line. As others have said, be careful about putting ballast around the switch levers.
Hey @Euston (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6144); if you'd like, send me the dimensions of the space you'd like your layout to be (you can PM it to me if you'd prefer), and I'll mock up some quick track plans in Anyrail for you when I get off work.
Quote from: mca0004 on April 20, 2022, 10:08:00 PM
Hey @Euston (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6144); if you'd like, send me the dimensions of the space you'd like your layout to be (you can PM it to me if you'd prefer), and I'll mock up some quick track plans in Anyrail for you when I get off work.
I'm in the same boat, trying to do a quick unitrack plan but no computer! Could I kindly take you up on the offer please? It's nothing more technical than a 4' x 2' runaround. I can DM if it's okay but please don't feel you have to, really nit a problem :)
Thanks for the advice and reply everyone, it's appreciated
mca0004 very kind of you to offer to do a track plan, and if you would like to have a go at designing one that would be fantastic, thank you, absolutely no rush at all, and as there is a post from red onion in a similar situation to me, and is suggesting a roundy round layout on 4x2 space - let's go with those requirements if that's ok, thank you look forward to seeing what you can come up with. Many thanks
Quote from: Euston on April 22, 2022, 04:00:33 AM
Thanks for the advice and reply everyone, it's appreciated
mca0004 very kind of you to offer to do a track plan, and if you would like to have a go at designing one that would be fantastic, thank you, absolutely no rush at all, and as there is a post from red onion in a similar situation to me, and is suggesting a roundy round layout on 4x2 space - let's go with those requirements if that's ok, thank you look forward to seeing what you can come up with. Many thanks
Sure, just two questions:
1-What unit is the measurements? I'm assuming feet, but I'd thought I'd make sure.
2-Any track requirements? I know you'd like to use Kato, but any other brands? And is there a minimum curve radius you'd like? I'd assume you'd be fine with 2nd radius, but it'd be better to know for sure.
And don't worry about me! I find planning track layouts fun, so I'm more than happy to do it.
Thanks mac0004
Yes in feet please 4X2
Kato for me please, much prefer it to peco track.
And yes 2nd radius would be ideal I guess
That's about it really, be interesting to see what you can come up with
Cheers
Quote from: Red Onion on April 21, 2022, 08:52:00 PM
I'm in the same boat, trying to do a quick unitrack plan but no computer!
There's no need for a computer for track planning. If you can find one, Kato sell a template, part number 20-900 or 20-90.
Peco have templates available on their website that can be printed out. If you can't print at home then the sheets should also be available from most model shops or via their technical support phone-line.
Steven B.
I do use the Kato point levers. They have connections on each side so you can click them together in a bank and just feed power to the first one. If you use the Kato controller, I believe they can be clipped on to it. I use a Digitrax Zephyr so feed the assembly with a plug top power supply.
@Euston (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=6144) I throw this together in about, 10-15 minutes. Anyrail is very quick once you get your head around it.
The numbers above the track are the product codes, so you simply need to google the "Kato N gauge #", and you'll get the exact track. I'll also included a track list, to make it easy. :)
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/122/10029-220422105823.png) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=122045)
TRACK LIST:
20010 - 7
20020 - 2
20100 - 4
20110 - 8
20120 - 1
20121 - 1
20130 - 4
20160 - 1
20203 - 1
20220 - 2
20221 - 1
20222 - 1
S33 - 1
Thanks for that, looks interesting, I will have a proper look into it
Do appreciate you taking the time to design it
Cheers
Quote from: Malc on April 22, 2022, 10:24:50 AM
I do use the Kato point levers. They have connections on each side so you can click them together in a bank and just feed power to the first one. If you use the Kato controller, I believe they can be clipped on to it. I use a Digitrax Zephyr so feed the assembly with a plug top power supply.
The rubber band to hold the point switches securely onto the Kato controller is an essential extra!