Kato Unitrack VS Handlayed CD40

[davidmbedard]

I decided to handlay some code 40 rail (pc board ties with wood ties) and give it a quick weather/ballast and compare it side by side with some Kato Unitrack.

The pictures speak for themselves.





As per usual, the end product looks better in person.

David B

[wcfn100]

What ties did you use on the c40?


Jason

[Denver Road Doug]

How shocking!   :

Seriously, I guess that is an interesting if not surprising photo of the "two ends of the spectrum" so to speak.  And I don't mean that just in the pure looks department...also in durability, purpose, intended use, intended audience, etc.

[wm3798]

I'll stick with Atlas c55.  The ties on the c40 look a little plump, although the rail height and tie spacing looks pretty good.  The proportions of the Atlas product, however, are more consistent, and pleasing to my eye.


Lee

[m301]

Anyone have trouble with some steam loco's on code 55?

I think on my next layout, I'd go code 80 on the main and 55 on sidings.

[wm3798]

I've got one old dog, a Rivarossi Light Pacific that I reworked into a WM K-2.  I had to take drastic measures to get it on the new rails...


Lee

[ednadolski]

The ties on the c40 look a little plump

Well, there are a few options.  This is Code 40 with the Micro Engineering wood ties.   You can, of course, use whatever spacing suits you.



Ed

[reinhardtjh]

Well, there are a few options.  This is Code 40 with the Micro Engineering wood ties.   You can, of course, use whatever spacing suits you.

Ed

Is the rail glued to the ties?  I don't see any obvious PC ties in there. 

If it's glued, what was used?

  John H. Reinhardt

[DKS]

Is the rail glued to the ties?  I don't see any obvious PC ties in there. 

If it's glued, what was used?

  John H. Reinhardt

Spiked. Look very closely at the tie just to the right of the wheels, and the last tie on the right.

[davefoxx]

I'll stick with Atlas c55.  The ties on the c40 look a little plump, although the rail height and tie spacing looks pretty good.  The proportions of the Atlas product, however, are more consistent, and pleasing to my eye.

I agree, Lee, that code 55 looks well proportioned, especially compared to its predecessors (e.g., code 80).  However, on a short line like A&R, which I model, code 55 is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too heavy, and it bothers me in photos.  Code 40, honestly, is probably still too heavy, but the contrast of code 55 on an interchanging Class 1 to the A&R's code 40, I think, will look good.

DFF

[ednadolski]

Spiked. Look very closely at the tie just to the right of the wheels, and the last tie on the right.

Yes, those are the Proto:87 scale spikes (photo etched stainless steel).  They hold pretty well in the thin plywood (baltic birch) roadbed, and they are all but invisible under normal layout lighting without magnification, esp. if you paint them a matching color.

Some folks glue the rail with Pliobond. If I were doing a C40 layout or module I would probably go with either the spikes or the Pliobond, since I like the look of the all-wood ties.  Then for turnouts I would use PCB ties in strategic places, painted to match.

If you're considering this then one idea is to build a short test track, and then maybe a turnout.  The P87 site now has a lot of turnout stuff like photo-etched frogs and machined point rails in C40 that save a lot of work,  plus a bunch of very fine detail parts if you want to take it to that level.

Ed

[Brakie]

Lee said:The ties on the c40 look a little plump, although the rail height and tie spacing looks pretty good.
------------------
Actually they remind me of the fiber ties on HO brass flex track we used back in the 50/60s.

[John]

It's interesting how different the reactions are here, vs the other thread you started elsewhere

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I thought the difference is pretty funny too.

[tom mann]

That thread "over there" is OBTRR magazine worthy.  Discourage the original poster, diminish the code 40, and pretend the unitrack is better than what it is.  Classic!