N scale Kato

[Rick Rubino]

Just wondering if there are any books or guides with track plans and lists of materials for the Kato line. I would like to build a layout but don't seem to be able to find a catalog of there items . I have a 3' X 10' area to build on and have seen many of the layouts on you tube and all the very nice items available , but its hard to plan without some guidance. I am in the US so Not much available here. also Good mail order shops in Japan would be helpful.  Thanks Rick

[bill937ca]

There are Japanese style track plans (which usually focus on running trains versus shunting) on the katomodels.com website.  

https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/plan_N2_45

https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/plan_N2_47

https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/plan_N2_89

https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/plan_N2_95

https://www.katomodels.com/unitrackplan/index         N gauge layouts are further down the page.

 

You can use Hobby Search as a database of available items.  There are track sets and individual pieces.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/rail/

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/601/6/1

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/602/6/1

 

There are several other dealers

RG Rokko https://rg-rokko.com/

Plaza Japan  https://www.plazajapan.com/model-train/n-scale/

Model Train Plus  https://www.modeltrainplus.net/

Edited February 28, 2023 by bill937ca

[dotzen]

The KATO USA web site has some US style N scale track plans that also come with a list of materials.

https://katousa.com/n-track-plan-examples/

 

The KATO Japan web site also has a very helpful track geometry guide.

https://www.unitrack-kato.com/_files/ugd/241d2f_061a8baf9ab84b3d8d67f16bb8e33826.pdf

[James-SNMB]

Track planning software might also be useful for you when you want to start playing around with ideas. You can try replicating one of the track plans you find and modifying it to fit your space/needs/wildest dreams.

 

I use AnyRail, which has a good (complete?) database of available unitrack pieces with part numbers, and keeps a bill of materials for you. The free demo is limited to 50 pieces, but it's enough to play around, make small layouts, see what might work. I had a good experience with it, so I upgraded to the full version.

 

And there are many other software options too, and there's a thread that might have some helpful info:

The only other track planning software I have any experience with is SCARM, which also has a good unitrack database and a sinilar free trial. Can't personally speak to any others. They all have their pros and cons.

 

As someone who is endlessly stuck in the "planning" phase (largely because I enjoy it), it's a great tool.