Super-elevated Kato Unitrack curves: worth the investment?

[Nozomi]

I’m thinking about replacing my ‘flat’ Unitrack doubletrack curves (ground and viaduct level) with super elevated curves from Kato. I just like the way the make the trains leaning inwards. Looks real!

At the moment I have no problems with running my trains over flat curves. Even the Shinkansen trains run smoothly at very high speeds. I’m afraid the super elevated curves might have some issues.

Has anyone of you experience with the super elevated curves?

Sorry for this beginners question. I just started the hobby a few months ago. Your help is very much appreciated!!

 

PS: there must be a correct word in English for 'flat' curves. Let me know!

[bc6]

Nozomi I have the Kato V11 set which is the double track with elevated curves, I too like the way trains lean into a curve. Instead of trashing your current setup why dont you get the parts that make up the superelevated portions and keep the rest of your set.

 

Theres a new superelevated set coming out from kato called the V14 which has the same feature of the V11 but with smaller curves, you may want to look into that set as well. Im waiting for the V14 with much anticipation since I have limited space for the bigger V11 set.

 

Ive had no issues with the V11 set and doubt that you will as well. Its up to you if you want the realism of the superelevated tracks or can do with out it.

 

I have a older V13 which is the non-elevated viaduct double track and dont notice the lack of superelevated tracks at all.

 

You could say non elevated instead of flat curves but I think we understand what you mean by flat curevs.

[traindork]

I haven't had problems with derailments or anything. The superelevated curves are worth it. Trains look really sweet passing each other on the curves.

You can just replace the track on the viaduct pieces, you don't have to buy all new viaducts. Save a little money!

[to2leo]

As a Kato Unitrack fan I have the flat and the superelevated version of the viaduct set.  For the superelevated, there is a slight possibility of derailment if you use them to go up hill for your most sensitive train sets.

 

BUT again this is when that sensitive train is going full blast. Sensitive=light weight or very long car length.

 

Also, I would not recommend using superelevated for your S curve.

 

Otherwise, go for it!

[inobu]

You can buy the banked curves 20-182 for $10US or less. Pop the older tracks out of the via duct and place the new ones in. It would not cost you as much to test out 1 banked curve. There are tabs that you want to push so you don't break the tracks. I replaced a lot of the older track with the new gray ballast type. It is swappable.

 

A lot of derailment issues happen because of the way people place the tracks. The banked curves has to connect a certain way.

If you look real close on the 20-182 you can see these banked curves have arrows that must point and mate to each other. It is easy to mix them up and connect the wrong type together.

 

What may ends up happening is, a flat piece matches to a banked piece and cause a phantom problem. The problem may lie undetected because of the run direction. The direction in which the train runs may have it rolling off the mis-aligned track which is ok but running it in the opposite direction or into the mis-alignment causes the derailment.

 

In any case buy a few pieces and test it. If you like it buy the V sets and expand.

 

Inobu

 

 

 

 

 

[Nozomi]

thank you all for help and advise!

 

I will replace one of my curves with superelevated track and test how my trains behave.