No problem Jeff. I messed around with a bunch of different small curves and came up with this one. On another note, I've never found the Kato flextrack since, I'm wondering if it was Peco or Atlas that manufactured it for Kato.
If you turn the short bits over, the 64mm have an extra line of plastic running from side to side at the middle of the piece. Thanks for this find. I've been struggling w/ #6 turnouts and double track.
Ah, I never noticed that. Kato have their own solution but it involves a lot more track and takes up a huge amount of space so I experimented for a while and came up with this one. Glad it's of use. Thanks for watching!
Atlas and kato were together years ago. That's why some older ho and n scale engines from atlas had kato on the bottom of the locomotives. The flex track is now made by atlas code 80.
I am planing my layout with Rail modeler and I did notice that there were a 64 and a 62 mm track. I did not know that #4 turnout has special straight track with the edges cut off! So I was using regular old curves and straights then I realised that would not work so I would have to redesign the zones with #4 turnouts, which is bacily my WHOLE LAYOUT!
you mentioned the Kato flex track number on the bottom of the ties. I do believe that ATLAS makes the #2500 flex track which may explain why you could not find it any longer as stated in the video. But without digging out an old piece from my storage area or cutting a piece out of my layout I cannot check for sure at the moment? But I am pretty sure that my Atlas Code 80 Atlas Flex track is #2500. But on my new layout build I am debating the reliability of the N Scale Kato Unitrack as I have heard nothing but GOOD reviews although more costly. I haven't had too many issues with the Atlas track I have used, but the ease of use is tempting even though there is a significant cost difference and a few limits on layout design. But I am thinking that the reliability may far outweigh those considerations in the long run as "hopefully" this will be my last layout design ever, as I have what I think is the perfect layout for my own requirements! Last layout design ever? YEAH RIGHT lol ! Thanks for the video, as it gave some detail on a double track area I am considering, and how to manage the conversion from single track. Just "feels" like the conversion curve from the switch was too tight but once I actually saw it, it does not look too bad! I'm not running any long passenger cars etc so I'm thinking it should be fine after viewing this. Thanks again :)
honestgbfan you could be right. I think Atlas and Peco probably manufacture for other companies. The ties underneath definitely are stamped with “Kato”. Could be a thing for the Japanese market that somehow a few pieces made their way to Scotland which is where I bought these ones. Thanks for watching. I’m about to to upload another video about flex track and flex track adaptors for Kato. Gives you the best if both worlds and I’ve found Kato track to be excellent quality. Even the turnouts work out good value when you consider they work straight out the box and don’t need anything added to get them to operate well first time every time.
I've run Bachman, Life-Like, and Atlas "unitrack" (never again!) in N scale, and Kato in N and my wife still runs it for Christmas in HO. I had Woodland Scenics styrofoam kit in N with turnouts glued down, and never had trouble, even with the 1-2 #4 turnouts I had - and I ran everything from RS-3s to an Athearn Genesis Challenger, a Bachmann Spectrum Decapod, and a Kato SD-70. All with DCC, which may have helped, I don't know. But I do know, I'm Kato Unitrack or handlaid forever, now.
The way I am reading this is that you would not use ATLAS Unitrack. Or did you mean you would not use any of the prior mentioned brands? Hobby Lobby sells Bachman and you can use the 40% coupon to save some $$$ and build slowly. Several layout builds by such as MRRM use it on the how to videos.
Good question, I don’t have number 4 turnouts to test but I think they are R381 equivalent so there’s probably a 15 degree equivalent. Problem is the number 4 turnouts have been know to cause issues with 6 axel locomotives which is why I don’t use them.
@@rhopkin2512Thank you for replying and i did not know that and i also did not know that 6 Axle locos had a problem ive never had that problem i have that problem with my plastic rolling stock
@@cameronspringman905 Check here on TH-cam, there are several videos showing ways to improve the KATO #4 turnouts. Now, if we could just get KATO Turnouts in #8 and #10!
Thank you for sharing, has been a real head scratcher. Much appreciated. Solutions can never be simple or provided by the manufacturer...LOL
No problem Jeff. I messed around with a bunch of different small curves and came up with this one. On another note, I've never found the Kato flextrack since, I'm wondering if it was Peco or Atlas that manufactured it for Kato.
excellent info on the 2 mil difference coming into the double track off a turnout.
Awesome info much appreciated greetings from the Blanco River in central Texas.
Steven V no problem. Greetings from Thailand but returning to Gibraltar next week.
If you turn the short bits over, the 64mm have an extra line of plastic running from side to side at the middle of the piece. Thanks for this find. I've been struggling w/ #6 turnouts and double track.
Ah, I never noticed that. Kato have their own solution but it involves a lot more track and takes up a huge amount of space so I experimented for a while and came up with this one. Glad it's of use. Thanks for watching!
I'm getting into unitrak now so thankyou for the heads up matey!
Good intel here!!!! Outstanding👍👍👍
Atlas and kato were together years ago. That's why some older ho and n scale engines from atlas had kato on the bottom of the locomotives. The flex track is now made by atlas code 80.
Hi Joe. Excellent information, thanks. I’ve identified a couple places I want to introduce more flex track so I’ll bear that in mind.
Thanks for the upload.
radiator0 your welcome
I am planing my layout with Rail modeler and I did notice that there were a 64 and a 62 mm track. I did not know that #4 turnout has special straight track with the edges cut off! So I was using regular old curves and straights then I realised that would not work so I would have to redesign the zones with #4 turnouts, which is bacily my WHOLE LAYOUT!
you mentioned the Kato flex track number on the bottom of the ties. I do believe that ATLAS makes the #2500 flex track which may explain why you could not find it any longer as stated in the video. But without digging out an old piece from my storage area or cutting a piece out of my layout I cannot check for sure at the moment? But I am pretty sure that my Atlas Code 80 Atlas Flex track is #2500. But on my new layout build I am debating the reliability of the N Scale Kato Unitrack as I have heard nothing but GOOD reviews although more costly. I haven't had too many issues with the Atlas track I have used, but the ease of use is tempting even though there is a significant cost difference and a few limits on layout design. But I am thinking that the reliability may far outweigh those considerations in the long run as "hopefully" this will be my last layout design ever, as I have what I think is the perfect layout for my own requirements! Last layout design ever? YEAH RIGHT lol ! Thanks for the video, as it gave some detail on a double track area I am considering, and how to manage the conversion from single track. Just "feels" like the conversion curve from the switch was too tight but once I actually saw it, it does not look too bad! I'm not running any long passenger cars etc so I'm thinking it should be fine after viewing this. Thanks again :)
honestgbfan you could be right. I think Atlas and Peco probably manufacture for other companies. The ties underneath definitely are stamped with “Kato”. Could be a thing for the Japanese market that somehow a few pieces made their way to Scotland which is where I bought these ones. Thanks for watching. I’m about to to upload another video about flex track and flex track adaptors for Kato. Gives you the best if both worlds and I’ve found Kato track to be excellent quality. Even the turnouts work out good value when you consider they work straight out the box and don’t need anything added to get them to operate well first time every time.
rhopkin2512 gonna have to watch for the next video then :)
I've run Bachman, Life-Like, and Atlas "unitrack" (never again!) in N scale, and Kato in N and my wife still runs it for Christmas in HO. I had Woodland Scenics styrofoam kit in N with turnouts glued down, and never had trouble, even with the 1-2 #4 turnouts I had - and I ran everything from RS-3s to an Athearn Genesis Challenger, a Bachmann Spectrum Decapod, and a Kato SD-70. All with DCC, which may have helped, I don't know.
But I do know, I'm Kato Unitrack or handlaid forever, now.
The way I am reading this is that you would not use ATLAS Unitrack. Or did you mean you would not use any of the prior mentioned brands? Hobby Lobby sells Bachman and you can use the 40% coupon to save some $$$ and build slowly. Several layout builds by such as MRRM use it on the how to videos.
will it work with number 4th switches
Good question, I don’t have number 4 turnouts to test but I think they are R381 equivalent so there’s probably a 15 degree equivalent. Problem is the number 4 turnouts have been know to cause issues with 6 axel locomotives which is why I don’t use them.
@@rhopkin2512Thank you for replying and i did not know that and i also did not know that 6 Axle locos had a problem ive never had that problem i have that problem with my plastic rolling stock
@@cameronspringman905 Check here on TH-cam, there are several videos showing ways to improve the KATO #4 turnouts. Now, if we could just get KATO Turnouts in #8 and #10!