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Hey guys, I'm slowly starting to build up track and other supplies for a small N-scale layout mostly using Kato-brand Unitrack. Currently, Kato has a very limited amount of their unitrack available with concrete ties, and I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried to repaint the black wood tie track pieces to make them look like their concrete-tie counterparts? If so, could you tell me the color(s) used or recommendations for potential colors? ~Phillip

Hello everyone, I'm on the hunt for some software not too terribly expensive (hopefully) that lets you plan out an N scale track plan. I only plan to use sectional Kato Unitrack, so an archive of Kato track parts is a must. Do you have recommendations or programs that you would avoid? (By the way, I am using a PC) ~Phil

Hi I've bought some Kato Unitrack to run my US HO and UK 00 scale stuff on. I'd like to buy a Bachmann Dynamis for my DCC equipped locos to run on, but I'm stumped on how I can connect the track to the controller? Presumably the Kato wire only fits the Kato controller.

Alrighty guys, stupid question here: Since Kato doesn't make non-banked curved viaduct track, how hard is it to remove the double track that came attached to the viaduct? Is it just screwed in? And if that's true, would I just be able to unscrew it and glue two single curved pieces of track onto it, assuming the screw holes don't match up? I'd like to change the geometry of the standard Kato viaducts to get 22.5-degree curves instead of the standard 45-degree curves, just for a change. Or is there a better way to do this? I'd try it for myself, but the track hasn't arrived yet. -Phil

All in this little-less-than 20 minutes video by youtube user cygnus485 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xhvYamM-BXU

I don't know if this has been already posted but I found this useful page on Wikipedia : https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rail_track_diagrams_of_train_stations_in_Japan There are lots of other diagrams to discover in the subcategories. Also, some of the diagrams are not stations but yards. Useful inspiration if you're at the conception phase of your layout.

Once again I was looking for a more clever way to solve my layout planning problems (previous thread http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/9010-layout-planning-geometric-calculations-for-asymmetric-layouts/), and I came across the Hallade Method. This isn't the whole solution to my problem exactly, but it's some interesting background on how this was (is?) handled in 1:1 scale. It may also provide more information about the white posts that Charles asked about in this thread http://www.jnsforum.com/community/topic/10440-short-white-posts-between-yard-tracks/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallade_method

Its finally here and apart from the drap green Box everything looks amazing :) But right after the unboxing people from Europe will be dissapointed that Kato gives you a switching power supply which is capable handling 240V and has an exchangeable Plug but doesnt include the european Plug :icon_scratch: So you will either end up finding that thing somewhere online or end up doing what i did Which is solder the Plug from the stock power suplly that connects to the Crossing Gate to a USB Cable which gives you the advantage to use any USB Port or modern Cell Phone Charger to power up the Crossing Gate :angel5: The next thing i personaly didnt liked was the fact that the sensor tracks dont match the look of Katos modern douple track But you can easily fit the sensors into any 62mm Track (drill and hand file required) Looks way better now :) Running Trains is much more fun now :) But the fun can stop at the first disassembly! The sensor cables are connected with small Plugs that can be hard to unplug but you should NEVER even think about pulling on the Cables!!! Trust me You dont have to solder or to strip a Wire but its really tricky to fix it because of the size (cramp alert) But still i think this sweety is worth every YEN