Laying Kato Unitrack on 3/8" plywood

[amszterpeter]

I have finished my bench work. (See my album "amszterpeter" - Ome-sen)

Completed the layout plan and electrical wiring schema.

Laid out the major part of the rails using Kato Unitrack.

Ready to finalize and fasten the Kato Unitrack pieces to the 3/8" plywood base.

Since my experience is with HO flextrack, this is new territory for me.

One recommendation is to use white glue.

I am reluctant as the Kato equipment have a very small footprint touching the base.

I am asking you fellows to share your experience and recommendations for the easiest, least expensive way to proceed. Also would like to be able to undo and reuse the pieces if I decide to modify or expand the layout.

Second question: I am using Kato's black plastic insulated rail joiners.

There is no plastic between the rails and I wonder whether it is possible that the rails short circuit?

Please share your experience and ideas.

Thank you all in advance.

Cheers.

 

amszterpeter aka 鉄道おじいさん (Tetsudouojiisan)

[tridentalx]

I have used PVA glue spread thinly along the bottom edges of the Unitrack. This holds the track firmly but can be easily lifted by sliding something sharp between the track and the baseboard.

Edited December 21, 2016 by tridentalx

[kvp]

Imho if the rails don't move relative to the ballast then the slightly longer black joiner should be enough to hold them apart. But in that case, a normal joiner with the metal part removed would be enough if one rail end is filed back a bit.

 

Btw. the platform between the turnouts on the photos will have some clearance issues with longer stock, so maybe two platform ends back to back would be better. (they have some material removed on the seemingly straight parts too and some wider stock may still hit them) If you are just using it as a temporary spacer, then it's ok.

[cteno4]

From memory i think the black insulator has a little bit between the rails down in the joiner that keeps the track ends from touching, but does not extend up, so you just get a little gap between the rail ends.

 

I like screwing the track down. gives a super good connection to your base material and easy to change and adjust. you just drill out the little holes in the Kato track and use tiny track screws.

 

The screws were available thru trainaidsa, but sadly the owner passed away. now you can find some on ebay and also a few hobby shops are carrying something close to the marklin K screws that trainaidsa use to make similar ones to.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300-pcs-ultra-slim-Mini-Tiny-Black-Self-Tapping-Track-Screws-1-2mm-x-12mm-/151025572915?hash=item2329d35c33:g:Wc8AAMXQJRhRZNjD

 

i can get you the recess head k type screws sources if you are interested.

 

cheers

 

jeff

[katoftw]

The black insulator does have a plastic piece separating the rails.  As pictures aren't allowed anymore, I would suggestion a google search is your quickest options to see this feature.

Edited December 22, 2016 by katoftw

[cteno4]

yes you can see it on the picture of the unijoiners, it just does not come up above the top of the unijoiners

 

http://www.katousa.com/images/unitrack/24-816.jpg

 

from http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/accessories.html

 

images can be used in posts from the web, just link to the image and the page it came from.

 

jeff

[keiichi77]

 

 

One recommendation is to use white glue.

I am reluctant as the Kato equipment have a very small footprint touching the base.

I am asking you fellows to share your experience and recommendations for the easiest, least expensive way to proceed. Also would like to be able to undo and reuse the pieces if I decide to modify or expand the layout.

Cheers.

 

 

I use PL Premium, a construction grade adhesive (I am sure it has a different name in the US), I place a couple of small blobs per piece of unitrack, when it sets the track is permanent unless you pry or cut the pieces up. The underside of unitrack is glossy so you can pull the glue blobs off with your fingers if you decide to reuse the track.

 

http://www.lepage.ca/en/lepage-products/construction-adhesive/pl-construction-adhesive/pl-premium-construction-adhesive.html

[amszterpeter]

Thank you all for your comments. After New Year, when I regain the use of my train room from the visiting grandchildren, I will try all the suggestions as I have several extra pieces of Unitrack. I will see which solution works best for my particular needs.

Jeff (cteno4) - please send me a source for the K screws as I would like to try them as well. (Preferably not from China as it usually requires five to six weeks of shipping time or exorbitant expedited charges.)

Cheers and a Happy New Year.

Peter