Kato Unitrack VS Handlayed CD40

[ednadolski]

I bought a Fast Tracks #8 curved turnout jig.  It's friggin' sweet!  I laid out my layout to use at least seven of these turnouts (rights and lefts, so that will help mitigate some of the cost when spread over that number of turnouts.  I'm hopeful that after that experience, I will be able to freehand a couple of #5 turnouts that I also need.  If I get into trouble, I'll let you know.  Thanks for the offer.

Dave Foxx

This might be of interest - some really inspiring work, and a couple of pretty cool tutorials on hand-laying track & turnouts in C40 & C55  (including the Fasttracks jigs):

http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Trackwork/TurnoutsScratchbuild.htm
http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Trackwork/Code40Ties.htm

Looks like he uses the Kappler ties.   BTW he's also got a number of other interesting modeling articles:

http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/index.htm


Ed

[inkaneer]

I have ignored inkaneer.  That will keep my blood pressure in check.

David B

Oh, I get it now!   And what was the name of your thread on the Atlas Forum?  Oh yeah, "An example of the ignorance on these forums."   And a fine example it was.  By the way, in the side by side photo comparison done by Peteski of your handlaid track and the Code 80 on Dave Vollmer's layout in your thread on the Atlas Forum your track looks terrible.  Your ties appear to be too wide and your ballast appears to be oversized.  If anyone wants to check it out go to the thread entitled An example of the ignorance on these forums then to the third to the last post on page four.

Then go to the very next post by Dave Vollmer where C 80 is joined by C 55. The track looks great and while the difference in the tie spacing and width of the ties is noticeable the rail height is less so.  But Dave Vollmer states that he prefers the C 55.  And that is fine.  But the C 80 does not look bad on its own and some people would gladly accept it.  But Dave Vollmer doesn't call them ignorant as does the other Dave.  It wasn't the track that people objected to, it was the snobbery of the poster. 

[DrifterNL]

This might be of interest - some really inspiring work, and a couple of pretty cool tutorials on hand-laying track & turnouts in C40 & C55  (including the Fasttracks jigs):

http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Trackwork/TurnoutsScratchbuild.htm
http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/Trackwork/Code40Ties.htm

Looks like he uses the Kappler ties.   BTW he's also got a number of other interesting modeling articles:

http://www.pmrr.org/Articles/index.htm


Ed

Thanks Ed! That site has something for everybody (hand layed or flex).

[trainbuff1]

This kind of thing just gives me no reason to live.. You are compairing Apples and Oranges on this. If you want to had lay code 40 track then do it. It is not my cup of tea but if it is yours and it makes you happy then keep doing it. It is not the ignorance of the folks on here its the fact that you are compairing to totally differnent types of track. If you were to compair Kato unitrack to Bacmanns then you are compairing Apples to Apples. Your handlaid track looks good but who in their right mind would lay 100s of feet of it. Atlas code 55 looks just as good. I use code 80, with some weathering and then ballast it looks good enough. It works well and I have never had an issue with it. I know that alot of folks have had issues with the others.

You must have more time to waist and let use know how far you get with your hand laid code 40. It just don't make sence to compair these two. Thats why you are getting the reaction that you are getting. How big is your layout, NOT GOING TO BE, how big??? I don't hold much when someone is planning a layout and never does it. There are want to be's and do'rs lets see..

Todd Treaster, NY,S&A's Pittsburgh Division

[csolivais1979]

No offence to anyone here, but PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!   

[davidmbedard]

What a sweet feature the ignore button is.........

David B

[DKS]

This kind of thing just gives me no reason to live.. You are compairing Apples and Oranges on this. If you want to had lay code 40 track then do it. It is not my cup of tea but if it is yours and it makes you happy then keep doing it. It is not the ignorance of the folks on here its the fact that you are compairing to totally differnent types of track. If you were to compair Kato unitrack to Bacmanns then you are compairing Apples to Apples. Your handlaid track looks good but who in their right mind would lay 100s of feet of it. Atlas code 55 looks just as good. I use code 80, with some weathering and then ballast it looks good enough. It works well and I have never had an issue with it. I know that alot of folks have had issues with the others.

You must have more time to waist and let use know how far you get with your hand laid code 40. It just don't make sence to compair these two. Thats why you are getting the reaction that you are getting. How big is your layout, NOT GOING TO BE, how big??? I don't hold much when someone is planning a layout and never does it. There are want to be's and do'rs lets see..

Todd Treaster, NY,S&A's Pittsburgh Division

Todd, with all due respect, the comparison is valid. N scale track is N scale track. If he was comparing HO handlaid to N scale prefab roadbed, then you could claim "apples and oranges." No one here is saying that using Unitrack is bad or wrong. It's only those few who have some basic objection to the premise who claim it was the original intent. Sadly these claims have twisted this thread in a different direction, not unlike its ill-fated counterpart elsewhere.

If handlaid Code 40 track isn't your cup of tea, then please, just ignore the thread. No one is forcing you to read it, let alone agree with it.

[John]

This thread has run out of steam