Kato unitrack M2 + V1

[meddyliol]

I am shortly getting M2 + V1 sets. As a sprog at this, what possible ways can I connect the V1 turnouts to the existing M1 layout?

Thanks

Brian

[RailGooner]

Just play with it.

UniTrack really is plug-and-play - child's play. The box art and enclosed pamphlet illustrate some suggested track plans. However, possibly UniTrack's best feature is the way it enables you to build a track plan, then tear it up and 10 minutes later have a totally different plan running.

[ntpntpntp]

This any help?  (google found it on a search for kato M2)

http://www.newhallstation.com/help/Kato_Unitrack/Kato_Unitrack_Layout-Plans.pdf

[meddyliol]

Thanks gents, this is just a part order until The V5 and V7 packs come. Will have a damn good 'play' until then.

Cheers

Brian

[Gordon]

I am shortly getting M2 + V1 sets. As a sprog at this, what possible ways can I connect the V1 turnouts to the existing M1 layout?

Thanks

Brian

I have been working with Unitrack for around 15 years now and, to be brutally honest, I think the Kato Unitrack 'sets' are a bit of a waste of time. Any collection of any number of individual new or second hand Kato Unitrack pieces  and points will connect up as long as you follow the (very simple) geometry, which can easily be found on the retailers' and web sites covering Unitrack.

The absolute minimum to get a train running is one piece of straight or curved track and a power supply. The minimum required for a continuous circuit is a power supply track and a matching short straight  and any set of 8 pieces of curved track of the 8 radii that make a full circle (ie R117 through to R348)

https://www.unitrack-kato.com/lineup-en


.

[meddyliol]

Thanks you. I assume that you don't mean Kato tack is a waste of time, just 'sets'. As a real sprig at this the sets are the best way forward (for me). I will never be an expert at this game, I don't have enough life left. Just try and enjoy it the best I can.

Brian 

[Bealman]

Brian, I've been in this game since I was a kid, but only bought a Kato set 6 months ago.

Ok, it's just a running in track, and the basic M1 oval, even, but I think it's great. There are many layouts that use Kato track very successfully. Indeed there is an article in a recent NGS journal explaining how to make it look realistic.

My only beef is it's not flexible for sweeping curves, and I'm told on this forum that there are no curved points.

As you say, life's too short. 

[meddyliol]

Cheers, I'm from the Old South Wales valleys. If my mother hadn't  changed her mind in the old £10 days, I would be Australian now.

Brian 

[tutenkhamunsleeping]

Part of my Kato train set which started with an M1.

[meddyliol]

Thanks tut, will read your thread with interest.

[dannyboy]

About the only things that restrict you with Kato Unitrack is the number of pieces of track you have available and your imagination.   . As has been pointed out, there are no curved points and no flexible track, although track can be made a bit flexible using a fine toothed saw. There is lots of information on this forum, plus the internet, to aid your imagination. A very good source of information is -
www.fiferhobby.com

My previous 12' x 4' layout, Averingcliffe was all Unitrack and the new layout will be predominantly Unitrack.

Purely as a 'blow my own trumpet' comment, this is just one of the posts for Averingcliffe, which does show how Unitrack can look when finished. 
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=44061.msg680264#msg680264

[meddyliol]

Talking about curved points, will other makes of curved points fit? Or will only Kato track fit?

[dannyboy]

@meddyliol
On the current layout, I have joined Unitrack to Peco flexitrack successfully, so I don't see any reason why other makes of curved points could not be joined to Unitrack. Kato do make an adaptor piece, but it is not necessary to use this. To connect Unitrack to the Peco track, I used a Kato track joiner on both rails and just slid the other track into the track joiners. One thing to bear in mind, the non Kato track will probably need a bit of packing to lift the rail height to be the same as the Unitrack.

Have a look at www.traintrax.co.uk to see what Unitrack pieces are available. Keith, who advertises on the forum, is quite a helpful bloke and his prices are reasonable. Usual about just being a satisfied customer etc.

[weave]

Hi meddyliol,

Just to add to the discussion, I think that getting the M2 starter set with controller was a good idea to get you going and feel your way into the world of Kato. The further add-on sets wont go to waste but I'd stop buying any more until you can see where you want to go with any track plan and then work out singular track purchases.

The Kato track conversion piece is, I believe, only designed for conversion to Tomix track who do do curved points. However, I'm not sure of the availability of Tomix track in the UK but I would have thought you could get them from Plaza Japan or other Far Eastern suppliers.

If you did go down the Peco route, I have one layout with Peco and Kato track joining which, as @dannyboy says is fine. My Peco track is laid on cork tiles (think 3.6 mm thick) which is just about right to connect with the Kato track laid on the board.

Unlike David (dannyboy) as he used Flexitrack, I'm using Peco Setrack and so as not to have to cut the sleepers off the end of the setrack to connect to the Kato I remove the Kato track joiner and have Peco joiners on both rails instead. Hope that last bit makes sense.

Apologies if you knew this or I'm going over old ground but hope helps and have fun 

Cheers, weave 

[meddyliol]

Thanks Weave, no I didn't know (I know nothing and I know everything (or something like that)). Must have a look at this Tomix stuff (not made by the cowboy Tom Mix I assume). Showing my age now.