Which Unitrack straight for island-platform siding?

[scott]

I used to have this info, but can't get at it right now or find it.

 

If I'm using a #6 turnout and a 28"/781mm curve to bring the siding parallel to the main line, which straight piece do I need between them to make the space between the tracks correct for an island platform?

[bc6]

You may want to post your question on the Yahoo Groups Kato Unitrack Message Board. To tell you the truth it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a child board for Unitrack.

[scott]

Thanks--but fortunately I figured this out late last night; I probably should have deleted the thread, but didn't think of it. Sorry about that.

[CaptOblivious]

No, don't delete the thread, share what you figured out :D

[Mudkip Orange]

You need the 64mm piece; it's designed expressly for that purpose.

 

Tomix has a similar piece, 72.5mm instead of 70mm.

 

In both track systems the spacing is defined as [ (sin 15d) x (standard straight length / 2) ]

 

So the length of the "custom" pieces is designed to move 1/2 the standard spacing in 1/4 the standard straight length - for Kato, 16.5mm in 62mm, and for Tomix, 18.5mm in 70mm.

[scott]

No, don't delete the thread, share what you figured out :D

 

Yack--it's been too long to remember what I did!

 

I'll take a look tonight and see if I can figure it out.... 

[bill937ca]

There's a diagram here.

 

http://sunny-life.net/picture/kato_other/23-120_d.jpg

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Modern-Island-Platform-City-type-Kato-23-120_W0QQitemZ360199385601QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item53dd8e7201

[to2leo]

Mudkip is right.  You also need 3 straight island plaforms and 2 curve ones to accommodate a 8 cars Shinkansen or a 10 cars TGV.