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I'm thinking of changing to Unitrack and have some questions about how it will work. Hope some of you can help.
1. Since each length of track is one solid piece, how do create grades without having a sharp angle where two tracks join up?
2. Do the unitracks undo easily? Is a special tool required?
3. I already have a MRC Tech II power pack which I'd like to use. For Unitrack turnouts, do I need a Kato power pack and Unitrack control levers (for the turnouts) which plug in to the Kato power pack, or have some of you done it differently?
I use Unitrack in HO scale but I'll make a couple of comments:
1. I haven't tried any grades yet so I can't answer your first question.
2. The HO and N scale Unitrack use the same track connection and they snap together with a push and disconnect by just bending the track side to side - no special tools. It works real smooth.
3. I have an MRC power pack that I use to control the switches so you do not need the Kato power pack. Just wire the Kato turnout controller to your power pack and they work just fine. Btw, I use Digitrax DCC for the track power.
If you go to my pic's I give some tips to dealing with the track! As for grades if you do the sub road bed like you would for any other track you will be fine!
The switches work just fine off any pack or dcc system.
#4 switches have some minor flange pick points, and need some slight filing, and they work great! The best track I've ever had in n scale!
By the way Tuna, you said you used a Digitrax DCC power pack. Can the turnouts be hooked up to the Digitrax or must one necessarily hook up to a DC power pack?
They are ac and the switches are DCC friendly! Do like I did and buy a starter kit and the #4 siding set and judge for yourself! I made the switch and no way will ever go back to regular track!
Hi Russell, been working on a small Unitack layout for a couple of months. It is a double loop with an under and over crossover. To make more gradual grade transitions I snap the track together where the grade change begins or ends, lay them upside down on flat surface and glue the conection with CA. The track is flexible enough to bend slightly. I glue my track down to foam base and risers and simply put enough weight on the grade transition area to create the bend. You could also make sure that the transition begins in the middle of a piece and force the bend in one piece I guess. I have not tried that.
By the way Tuna, you said you used a Digitrax DCC power pack. Can the turnouts be hooked up to the Digitrax or must one necessarily hook up to a DC power pack?
The switches will work with DCC with the right connections, I just have not tried that. Since I both a MRC regular power pack and the Digitrax, I can use both. I just set up a bank of the Kato switch controllers connected to my MRC pack and flip the switches as needed without needing to use the DCC controller to 'address' them. Works for me.
The switches will work with DCC with the right connections, I just have not tried that. Since I both a MRC regular power pack and the Digitrax, I can use both. I just set up a bank of the Kato switch controllers connected to my MRC pack and flip the switches as needed without needing to use the DCC controller to 'address' them. Works for me.
That's interesting and encouraging. I have a Kato and an old MRC Tech II power packs and just got the NCE Power Cab. I can't try it yet as I do not have a DCC equipped locomotive. I haven't even unwrapped it.
As I get started and inevitably have problems, I'll post, and hopefully you and others will be able to help.
