TOMIX TRACKS: DOUBLE, SLAB, & WIDE

[okiemax]

I would appreciate replies to the following questions:

 

Tomix catalogues double track (e.g.,1069), slab track (e.g.,1070), and wide track (e.g.,1762). What are the purposes of these three track types, and what are their advantages and disadvantages compared to Tomix basic track (e.g.,1022) ?

 

Tomix catalogues a DC feeder for wide track / slab track (5538), but doesn't specify a feeder for double track (perhaps an oversight in the catalog).  Is this feeder also designed to work with double track? 

 

Tomix catalogues a spacer for double track (3074) and a spacer for slab track (3070). What are the purposes of these spacers?

 

What is the purpose of the Tomix touch sensor (5567) ?

 

I apologize if my questions have been answered elsewhere in the Forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[katoftw]

1069/1070/1762 The purpose is to allow trains to run over them.  They are just different looking designs to simulate what you would see in real life.

 

Wide track has a disadvantage of have canted (angled) curves.  You you cannot to S bends on a layout.  But this is a very small disadvantage that can be overcome with smart layout design.

 

5567 - Function is in the name.  It is a sensor to use with Tomix's TCS automation system that triggers an electrical pulse.

 

5538 - I dont believe the feeder works with double track.  Double track is a lot older than the 5538 feeder.  The 5538 feeder does work with the newer single piece concrete sleeper tracks that have been released over the past 12 months.

Edited April 28, 2016 by katoftw

[bill937ca]

Tomix offers 7 types of rail, plus Mini Finetrack. The links lead to pages on the Tomix Japanese web site and the current product numbers. Tomix does not have English pages. Tomix is in the process of retiring old Finetrack two-pack blister packaging and replacing it with boxes of 4 in many cases. 

 

Basic rail (wooden sleepers)

Basic rail (PC sleepers)

Wide PC rail

Viaduct rail (single track viaduct with side walls)

Double track rail (double track viaduct with side walls)

Slab rail

Wide tram rail

 

Slab track is used on Shinkansen lines where the speed and force of trains would send ballast air borne.  

 

1069 is double track viaduct with ballast.

1070 is double track slab rail viaduct

1762 didn't show up on the list I am checking

 

The basic DC feeder is 5534 and it can be used with double track. It sits under the rail but on top of the rail base.  The DS140 double track piece has a punch out feed.   5538 is the current under track feeder for Wide PC Rail, Slab Track and Wide Tram Rail. Previous slab feeder was 5537 and it may still be available.

 

Haruki3500 video showing how the DS140 is used.

 

 

This haruki3500 videos show the additional features of Wide PC rail.

 

 

 

Overhead masts and fences can be snapped on, side walls added to create elevated sections.

Edited April 29, 2016 by bill937ca

[okiemax]

katoftw and bill937ca, I want to thank you for the helpful information on the Tomix tracks. Although I have the latest Tomix catalogue, I don't read Japanese, which limits me to trying to interpret pictures. Those videos were very informative, bill, and I'm glad to know more are available on a variety of Tomix items.   

[tridentalx]

katoftw and bill937ca, I want to thank you for the helpful information on the Tomix tracks. Although I have the latest Tomix catalogue, I don't read Japanese, which limits me to trying to interpret pictures. Those videos were very informative, bill, and I'm glad to know more are available on a variety of Tomix items.   

 

If you have a lot of patience and a smart phone you can use the Google Translate app to take a photo of sections of the catalogue and translate the text. I wouldn't use it to read a book but for getting info on individual items in the catalogue it is fine. Some of the translation is a bit quirky but close enough.