"Nine" Gauge Trains

[Guest bill937ca]

Here's a Wikipedia article in Japanese language on N Gauge or as the first link I saw said "Nine Gauge" trains.  Japanese model trains often have the gauge and scale marked on the package as not all N gauge trains are the same gauge. The package for my Modemo NT60 shows "N 1:150 G=9mm".

 

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%E3%82%B2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8

[Bernard]

After looking over the article, it suddenly occured to me, since I use flex track and peco turnouts in my layout, and I've used Kato bridges with modifications to the track, but are Kato Unitrack and Tomix track compatible?

[C62]

Bernard, look at this: http://japanese-model-supplies.com/Unitrack/

[C62]

The geometry is different as are the rail joiners. But there is an adapter track available:

Straight track S62J (2x)

Adapter track for the Tomix track system.

ProductNo:  Kato 20-045

[CaptOblivious]

I lost the link, but some Japanese modellers use Z-Gauge track, as it is closer to prototype gauge for 1:!50 scale. They have to do a lot of work to modify the models' trucks though!

 

Anyway, most Japanese N-gauge trains (and accessories) are 1:150 scale, as a compromise between the more standard 1:160 scale for N and the fact that most Japanese prototypes are narrow gauge. N-gauge shinkansen are modelled at 1:160 scale (which is why, as I understand it, Tomix now has two kinds of island platforms now---one for regular trains, and one for differently-scaled shinkansen).

[Guest bill937ca]

After looking over the article, it suddenly occured to me, since I use flex track and peco turnouts in my layout, and I've used Kato bridges with modifications to the track, but are Kato Unitrack and Tomix track compatible?

 

Bernard, Kato Unitrack and Tomix Finetrack are not compatible.

[CaptOblivious]

Bill,

 

Tomix and Kato tracks are compatible, in the sense that C62 pointed out: Kato makes an adapter track that will connect the two. However, they are not compatible insofar as their geometries do not mesh: You can't use a Tomix double-slip in a yard ladder with Kato turnouts, say, even though they will physically connect (in at least one place), none of the parts will line up. But if you're just doing single-line main, and want to use a Kato viaduct and some Tomix curves, and some flextrack to make it all work, you can do that just fine.

[Guest bill937ca]

Some of the Japanese vendors warn that Kato and Tomix aren't compatible and that was what I was going by.  I've never seen any mention of compbatibility on the Japanese side of the market.

 

Also Kato lists part 20-045 as an adapter for Atlas track. The description from Kato USA's web site:

 

"62mm (2 7/16") Snap-Track® Conversion Track [1 pc]

Snap-Track® is a trademark of Atlas Model Railroad Co."

 

It may work but that may not be what its intended to do.

[CaptOblivious]

Ask anyone who's used that adapter piece: You have to shim Atlas track to get it to fit. Tomix track is a perfect fit  ;D

[CaptOblivious]

Bill,

 

Here's a nice companion piece to the site you posted. This just went up on the Tomix/EasyTrolley group's webpage, and is a systematic breakdown of Tomix and Kato track geometry—they list what each piece is for. Good stuff!

[Guest bill937ca]

Bill,

 

Here's a nice companion piece to the site you posted. This just went up on the Tomix/EasyTrolley group's webpage, and is a systematic breakdown of Tomix and Kato track geometry—they list what each piece is for. Good stuff!

 

Thanks Don.  Here's the link.

 

http://www.trainweb.org/tomix/track/TomixTrackSystems.htm

 

I've actually known about the page since it was first put up about a week to ten days ago by Rich Kerr. I really don't agree with his rationale on 280mm as the standard straight section or curve.  I suspect the 140mm straight is the standard piece and 280mm is a double straight.

 

If you are running something with covered wheels (like some Shinkansen trains) it really doesn't not matter what a "standard radius" is if it less than the minimum radius of you're particular train.  We've got to remember these items are made solely with the Japanese market in mind in most cases and what might be standard in Japan could be totally unknown in the US and Canada.

 

 

The relatively new 605mm Tomix curve is used back to back to widen the track center from 37mm to 55.5mm.  This could be useful for several reasons including oversize rolling stock clearance.

[Guest bill937ca]

There is already another web page on Japanese track by a very experienced modeler of Japanese trains.

 

http://japanese-model-supplies.com/track.html