So you want to try Tomix FineTrack?

[rpierce000]

Has anyone built a commercial Kato to Tomix connector track? I can see how to make one, but a prebuilt would be nicer...

[westfalen]

Kato 20-045 is what you're looking for. http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10003037a/20/1

Kato call it a snap track conversion track but Tomix track fits right in, I guess Kato don't want to mention their competitor by name.

[Howard]

You could use Kato part 20-045. It is designed to connect Kato and Tomix track systems.

[brill27mcb]

More info and options here:

http://www.trainweb.org/tomix/intro/intro.htm#adapter

Rich K.

[Barobutt]

Hey guys, I made a huge mistake...

On previous layouts I always just made level crossings with plaster.  I'd cover over the area in plaster nice and smooth and level then I'd drag some wheels over it a few times to dig in the ruts for the wheels.  Once dry I'd use some little dental tools to clean out these grooves and make them flawless for trains to pass through.

For some reason this method just isn't working for me for my tram I'm trying to build.  The edges are crumbling, and even with over 1mm wide channels my trains do not enjoy running on them.  So I dug all the plaster out from the center of the track and started cutting styrene strips.

I cut 7mm wide strips and they work perfect.  Exactly correct height and the width seems perfect too.  The only problem is the curves.  I've spent the last 2 hours trying to cut a perfect curve piece for my 103mm track and I just can't do it, it never turns out...

So my question is: does tomix sell the "covers" for its wide-tram system separately?  Am I going to have to buy a few packages of widetram track just to get a single part?  Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve my problem?  The straight sections I can do no problem, but the curves have me ready to cry!

[Toni Babelony]

So my question is: does tomix sell the "covers" for its wide-tram system separately?

Yes, they do actually:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10104805
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10050215

[Barobutt]

Ah that's good... but I only need 1 part from it, the 103mm curve.  The rest would be pretty much useless for me :(

I just need 360 degrees of 103mm curve cover. 

[Joe Freese]

For a source for Tomix Fine Track, may I suggest Tenshodo (overseas@tenshodo.co.jp). I have ordered from them for quite a few years. Their service is excellent, and no one packs models so well. Also, they will ship EMS or "regular" mail which is much less expensive. I am not sure, but I believe they also may give a discount.

Some years ago I built an N Gauge Japanese layout using Kato UniTrack. It worked well, but this time I am going with the Tomix Fine Track because of the greater versatility and greater variety of track pieces. Also, I like the smaller profile of the Tomix roadbed. I will be using the structures from the previous layout. I do not anticipate a problem with the Kato island platforms, as I will use small Tomix track pieces to adjust the spacing between tracks.

I notice that most of the messages in this section are from 2008, so perhaps this information is a bit late for some of you.

[CaptOblivious]

For a source for Tomix Fine Track, may I suggest Tenshodo (overseas@tenshodo.co.jp). I have ordered from them for quite a few years. Their service is excellent, and no one packs models so well. Also, they will ship EMS or "regular" mail which is much less expensive. I am not sure, but I believe they also may give a discount.

Some years ago I built an N Gauge Japanese layout using Kato UniTrack. It worked well, but this time I am going with the Tomix Fine Track because of the greater versatility and greater variety of track pieces. Also, I like the smaller profile of the Tomix roadbed. I will be using the structures from the previous layout. I do not anticipate a problem with the Kato island platforms, as I will use small Tomix track pieces to adjust the spacing between tracks.

I notice that most of the messages in this section are from 2008, so perhaps this information is a bit late for some of you.

This is a good email address to have. I have ordered from Tenshodo before, but only through their Rakuten store. Cutting out the middle man would be nice.

And, you are right: No-one packs like they do! It's like my birthday everytime I get something from them!
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/files/2009/08/DSCN3976.jpg

[Kumo]

For a source for Tomix Fine Track, may I suggest Tenshodo (overseas@tenshodo.co.jp). I have ordered from them for quite a few years. Their service is excellent, and no one packs models so well. Also, they will ship EMS or "regular" mail which is much less expensive. I am not sure, but I believe they also may give a discount.

Some years ago I built an N Gauge Japanese layout using Kato UniTrack. It worked well, but this time I am going with the Tomix Fine Track because of the greater versatility and greater variety of track pieces. Also, I like the smaller profile of the Tomix roadbed. I will be using the structures from the previous layout. I do not anticipate a problem with the Kato island platforms, as I will use small Tomix track pieces to adjust the spacing between tracks.

I notice that most of the messages in this section are from 2008, so perhaps this information is a bit late for some of you.

This is a good email address to have. I have ordered from Tenshodo before, but only through their Rakuten store. Cutting out the middle man would be nice.

And, you are right: No-one packs like they do! It's like my birthday everytime I get something from them!
http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/files/2009/08/DSCN3976.jpg

They pack the box with a simple paper?? No cardboard box, bubbles or styrofoam to protect it?

[rankodd]

I suspect that what's actually shown there is the wrapping they put on the individual boxes before they're packed for shipping. The Japanese are obsessed with presentation - I've had book store clerks wrap the cover of the book I bought like a second dust jacket.

[nightshade]

I've had book store clerks wrap the cover of the book I bought like a second dust jacket.

that would be normal  (even when u buy used stuff dc'c dvd's etc  "book off" it will be in perfect
order even with the orgilal lables the go on the outside od the pakaging with price tag :) )
 

[rpierce000]

For those of you not yet aware of this, BT Trains now carries most of the Tomix Fine Track line IN STOCK, in Seattle, WA.

If you need Tomix track you can shop right here in the USA and pay much lower shipping fees.

Come take a look!  www.bttrains.com

[Kumo]

For those of you not yet aware of this, BT Trains now carries most of the Tomix Fine Track line IN STOCK, in Seattle, WA.

If you need Tomix track you can shop right here in the USA and pay much lower shipping fees.

Come take a look!  www.bttrains.com

I just wish there was a better shipment deal available for Europe. Too bad.

[wasunka]

Okay, tried this, don't think it took, so try, try again . . .

Has anyone tried cutting back the curved side of a Tomix R280-30 turnout?

I need a short turnout with about 15 degree curved section.  R140's are too small a radius,
the R541-15's are too long, and the R280-30's bend too far.  (Sigh.)

Thanks,

Joe

[keitaro]

Okay, tried this, don't think it took, so try, try again . . .

Has anyone tried cutting back the curved side of a Tomix R280-30 turnout?

I need a short turnout with about 15 degree curved section.  R140's are too small a radius,
the R541-15's are too long, and the R280-30's bend too far.  (Sigh.)

Thanks,

Joe

i wouldn't cut it back you will loose power on the cut section.

under the turn out is a board that help control power to the track.

[Densha]

Just a quick question: is it possible to use Tomix switches with built-in motors with the Kato switch controller (that blue thing that you have to attach to the analog controller)?

[KenS]

They're both two-wire solenoid switches operating on 12V DC, so I'd expect them to work identically and thus you could use one's control with the other's switch.  I haven't actually tried it though.

And, of course, the connectors are incompatible, so you'd need to cut and splice wires.

[Densha]

Thanks, good to know that. Kato sells those connector cables separately, and attaching them to each other is no problem for me.