So it is true - New MR N Layout is for Kato

[DKS]

Unitrak isn't pretty but it does work, and it works well. For those without the skill or patients to learn to lay track properly, it allows them to build a functioning layout in a relatively short period of time.

I don't know .. if it is properly painted, ballasted, and scenicked, it can look pretty good .. look at what John Sing did ..

 

[conrail98]

My friend Shaun is building a version of this layout using his existing supply of Unitrack:

http://www.upmodelrailroad.com/

Given that he lost his job, moved home, pays rent and a mortgage in Houston, I'd say that using his existing track to build this railroad has kept him in the hobby.  Can't fault MR or Kato for that!

Philip, I'm glad you brought up Shaun's layout as it is a good example of the MR layout being used as inspiration, especially given his situation,

Phil

[SkipGear]

Unitrak isn't pretty but it does work, and it works well. For those without the skill or patients to learn to lay track properly, it allows them to build a functioning layout in a relatively short period of time.

I don't know .. if it is properly painted, ballasted, and scenicked, it can look pretty good .. look at what John Sing did .. that slider track piece is pretty ingenious .. now if they can just figure out how to do some "flex" track

I agree, John's ballasted Unitrak looks very good. Ballasting is the part feared most by the begining modeler though and part of the reason Unitrak is apealing to them. I've helped with an HO layout that is almost entirely Bachmann EZ track, but after ballasting, you'd never know it.

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/1659/Rounding_the_bend.jpg

[asarge]

There are a lot of people out there, that unlike us, have more money than time. The time saved by using Unitrak is worth more to them than the cost of the track

Well said Tony, down here N scale Unitrack is second to Atlas snap. But I was surprised at how well the Atlas Tru-Trak seemed to do vs. the previous Christmas season, even without the new pierces showing up b4 Christmas.

[Rossford Yard]

As to cost, I have heard some people say that by the time you add cork roadbed and/or homasote to the cost of flextrack its not really all that much difference in cost, esp if you choose not to ballast.

If I was doing a double track concrete tie main line I would use Kato just to get the straights perfectly straight and the curves perfectly curved.

I can see the next generation of track being more like the Atlas brand - good joiners, scale rail and ties, built in superelevations and an even more realistic look than Atlas has. I can also see pairs of turnouts and even 3 turnout yard ladders like Shinohara used to do in flex.  With single, double and triple turnouts you could build a yard of any width with fewer sections.

[inkaneer]

 Yeah, $760 for the track is expensive and I always thought expense was a big factor in bringing new people, especially kids  into the hobby.  But ever look at the warning on N scale products?  It says recommended for age 14 and up [small parts = choking hazard].  But heck, when I was fourteen and older I wasn't interested in trains.  It was girls, cars, rock n roll and parteeeeeeee.   If it wasn't for that 027 Lionel that I got when I was six I might be bird watching now instead of railfanning.

One more thing on the MR magazine does it strike anyone that the article on laying flex track is over the top?  I mean, come on, flex track is not a shake the box type of deal but is it as difficult as the article makes it out to be?  Is it possible that the two articles, one showing flex track difficulties and the other the simplicity of Unitrack, in the same month, in the same magazine not a coincidence?  I'm not knocking Unitrack or flex track, for that matter. But something about the two articles in the same month strikes me as odd.    I dunno, just a gut feeling..   

[reinhardtjh]

To be fair, that $760 is list price from the manufacturer.  I'll bet the discount price from a decent LHS or internet shop is quite a bit less.  After all, how many people paid the $400+ list for their Athearn Big Boys and Challengers?  Or list for anything big ticket lately?

  John H. Reinhardt

[SkipGear]

I haven't seen the layout yet but as a frame of reference, here is an Atlas track pack for a 3'x6' layout...


https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/customkititems.asp?kc=K11019%2D55&eq=


$322.00

That is a Code 55 set. You still need to buy a turnout control method, roadbed and ballast.

Here is a middle of the road Code 80 set for reference.

https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/customkititems.asp?kc=K11006&eq=

$308.00


Track is not cheap, but most people only buy it once per layout. Have you looked at flex recently, even Code 80 flex retails above $4.00 a stick now.

[chuck geiger]

They should have brought John into weather and ballast the project layout. Look at the
grade crossings in the yard. Horribly out of scale. The rest of the layout is pretty darn
good - The KATO thing has me whacked - I agree with Dave that they keep partnering
with these companies and offer OK projects - I understand it cuts costs and in this
economy that is pretty smart.

Point: They could have used KATO UNITRACK for the mainline and made it look way
cooler and prototypical using C-55 switches and flex in the yard and sidings. Then
the next article after the SALT LAKE ROUTE is:

HOW TO LAY TRACK - TECHNIQUES FOR FLEXTRACK, TURNOUTS AND SECTIONAL TRACK!

[TiVoPrince]

MR
tries to serve the entire hobby.  In years past the issues that would be on the retail shelf in January focused more on beginners since this is the time to 'set the hook' for newcomers.  Before they move on to fair weather activities.  Unitrak creates model railroaders, plain and simple.  Beginners get a bullet proof system, advanced modelers use it because they prefer to spend thier time on non-tracklaying activities.

My personal demon in model railroading is tracklaying.  I should probably surrender to Unitrak but I really want Atlas C55 for mainline turnouts and a better overall profile.  Hopefully I can 'up my game' on my upcoming layout or I will again depend on the kindness and talents of friends...

[wm3798]

How much is a case of c55 flex?  Around $300 or so?  Meh.  I can build a hell of a layout with $760 bucks, even at retail.

Lee

[SquirrelHollow]

I'm torn between both sides. 

I love the simplicity of Unitrack, when working with my temporary layouts or test layouts.  However... I can't afford it.  I picked almost all of my stuff up from late-night online auctions that were going for 20-30% of retail, and it was still too expensive (3-5 years ago - prices have actually decreased since then).

I had a few paragraphs here, explaining past frustrations with the limited availability of many of the track pieces.  However, it looks like Kato has introduced quite a few new pieces, and availability has increased (online, at least).  Combined with the lower relative prices, maybe MR and Kato had the right idea...


I still have one major complaint:
-Unitrack is noisy.

[CBQ Fan]

For me it is the cost of the switches.  You can start counting the cost in engine purchased missed out per switch.  Plus I have so much flex code 80 & switches in perfectly working condition I guess I am just too cheap to throw it away.   My local hobby shop had a guy who bought regular Atlas code 55 and went through one whole box.  The owner ordered another whole box thinking he was ahead of the buyer.  The guy came in and bought 2-3 more pieces and said that was all the track he needed.  That box is still there and gathering dust.  I gave serious thought to buying it up until I added up what I was going to pay for switches, combined with the hobby shop guy asking pure retail for the track.  That was 5 years ago.  If the guy had cut me a deal who knows, I may have bought and ordered some switches and would all be code 55, but he still has the inventory and I have spent my money on engines, rolling stock, and scenery!

[John]

I just hand laid a curved turnout.. got tired of waiting on Atlas to get them across the pond .. probably do a couple more ...

[Mark5]

Sing's track does look good ... for Unitrack.

It's a matter of your personal preferences. Massively out scale rails have always ended it for me. That's why I hand laid code 40 back in the mid 70s (when I last had a layout!!!!).

Mark