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Can Kato Unitrack Be Used With Other Track Brands?
John S writes:
“Before I buy stuff for my planned N gauge railway I want to check if Kato Unitrack can be used with other track brands like Atlas? I know Unitrack is quite expensive and a bit plastic in look, but it sounds pretty durable and foolproof. Any comments if you have used it and can the plastic look be easily disguised?”
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8 Responses to Can Kato Unitrack Be Used With Other Track Brands?
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The short answer is not at all easily, because the Kato unitrack comes on a built up track bed, and there are “lugs” at each end to help it to fit correctly to the next piece. So it won’t fit to bachmann (which also has a built up bed) because the lugs will be different shapes. And it won’t fit to atlas because it doesn’t have a built up bed, so the height above the baseboard is different. You could make it fit by removing the lugs where you plan to join different brands, and use underlay of some sort to deal with the height difference.
But before trying that, you would need to ensure that the track you are joining has the same railcode (which is the size of the actual rail). Kato n scale unitrack is code 80, while Atlas n scale comes in code 80 and 55.
However, unless you plan to take it up and put it down regularly, any track brand will last once fixed to the baseboard. To make it easy you should stick with one brand.
John
It isn’t recommended to mix various manufacturers track. Geoff covered most of the reasons. The additional reason I can think of is the actual rail dimensions will be slightly different from one manufacturer to another even if they are the same code. If you want to minimize operational problems stick to one manufacturer of track through the entire layout.
Whilst I agree in principal with the above comments, Unitrack can be joined to other makes of track quite successfully. Kato do a conversion piece, ref 20-045. Because of the thickness of the track bed, the non Kato track may need raising slightly so that the rails are at the same height. The Kato track jponers can be removed and replaced with normal jpiners. As for disguising the plastic look, it is amazing what some ballast, scatter materials and washes can do. The attached photograph shows Kato track after ballasting but before any weathering.
Just to add to the comment from Mike, Kato Unitrack can be made slightly flexible by turning the track upside down and cutting through the plastic roadbed with a fine tooth saw. Stop cutting just as you get to the underside of the rail. An ‘S’ shape can be created this way, or curves have their radius altered slightly.
Whilst I agree in principal with the above comments, Kato Unitrack can be joined quite easily to other makes of track. All you have to do is remove the Kato joiner and replace it with an ‘ordinary’ track joiner (a pair of needle nose pliers might come in handy). Kato do a conversion piece, (ref 20-045). The main problem with joining Kato to other makes is the height of the rail bed. The non Kato track will need lifting slightly to meet the Kato rail. The track profile may be different as well. As regards the plastic look of Kato track, it is amazing what a difference some ballast, scatter materials and washes can do.
If you are looking for prototypical you dont want these thoes of track. First they are not realistic, second they are not flexible so you must conform to their radius and length. Get Atlas flextrack and make it your way and realistic with rock ballast etc. Plus it is a lot cheaper and easier to use.
Kato N Scale Unitrack is very easy to mix with the many brands that do not have integral roadbed. .
When placed the sections are held together by plastic clips that are easily removed and replaced by a standard rail joiner. No transition track needed as long as the rail height (code) is close.
Of course the non-roadbed track needs to be placed on a built-up roadbed to match the the height of the Kato.
I am not familiar with other brands that have integral roadbed.
I have used Atlas code 80 in hidden areas and but it looks crappy if you mix on the main line. I personally like the Kato unitrack and have painted the rails to appear rusty and although I haven’t done it, the plastic roadbed is paintable to match layout needs.