So you want to try Tomix FineTrack?

[Mudkip Orange]

Has anyone had any firsthand experience with the 280-30 turnouts?

 

I ask because it's common knowledge that the Kato R481 ("#4") derails unless you file down the points, and I've had the same experience with the 481-Y when it's placed on a reverse curve. So I'm curious how much stuff is going to derail on an 11" corner.

[westfalen]

Has anyone had any firsthand experience with the 280-30 turnouts?

 

I ask because it's common knowledge that the Kato R481 ("#4") derails unless you file down the points, and I've had the same experience with the 481-Y when it's placed on a reverse curve. So I'm curious how much stuff is going to derail on an 11" corner.

I used them on this T-TRAK junction module. They didn't seem to give any trouble unless you came into them trough a reverse curve as can be seen in the top of the photo and then only with long wheelbase steam locos like the Bachmann 2-10-2.

 

 

I am, however, in the process of replacing them with plain track and Kato turnouts on an adjacent module as we speak mailnly because someone was a bit heavy handed with track cleaning at a show and ripped out one of the turnouts switch blades.

Edited February 1, 2014 by westfalen

[kvp]

I think i start to understand the tomix 3 way turnout. One leg is a 541 mm 15 degrees curve and the other is a 280, but actually it's a 33 mm straight, then a 280 mm 15 degrees curve and a 33 mm straight. The intereting thing is that this can nearly correctly replace a 541 mm 15 degrees curve. (would need 34 mm straights to be precise)

[Mudkip Orange]

Do the individual track pieces screw out of the viaduct track pieces, a la Kato? Or are they all glued together?

[bill937ca]

So, does anyone have or seen an up to date list?

 

Track pieces 1001-2000 on the Tomix web site (in Japanese).

 

All Tomix items.

[kvp]

Thanks! I managed to translate it with google. Here is the result:

Part number 			 Product name (which is partially omitted notation) 		 Price (excluding tax)
 1011 		 	Straight PC rail S140-PC (F) (4 sets) 			 640
 1012 		 	Straight PC rail S280-PC (F) (4 sets) 			 800
 1021 			 Straight Rail S140 (F) (2 sets) 			 320
 1022 			 Straight Rail S280 (F) (2 sets) 			 400
 1023 			 Straight rail S72.5 (F) (2 sets) 			 280
 1024 			 Straight rail S70 (F) (2 sets) 			 280
 1025 			 Straight rail S99 (F) (2 sets) 			 280
 1026 			 Straight rail S158.5 (F) (2 sets) 			 360
 1046 		 	Slab rail S140-SL (F) 			 320	
 1061 			 Double track rail DS140 (F) (2 sets) 			 1,000 
 1062 			 Double track rail DS280 (F) (2 sets) 			 1,200 
 1066 		 	Double track rail slab DS140-SL (F) (2 sets) 			 1,000 
 1067 		 	Double track rail slab DS280-SL (F) (2 sets) 			 1,200 
 1069 			 Double track rail DS1120 (F) (2 sets) 			 4,500 	
 1070 		 	Double track rail slab DS1120-SL (F) (2 sets) 			 4,500 
 1071 			 Elevated HS140 (F) (2 sets) 			 600 
 1072 			 Elevated HS280 (F) (2 sets) 			 960 
 1075 			 Elevated HS99 (F) (2 sets) 			 540 
 1076 			 Elevated HS158.5 (F) (2 sets) 			 660 
 1092 			 Straight Rail S280 (F) (10 sets) 			 1,800 
 1093 		 	Straight PC rail S280-PC (F) (12 sets) 		 Pre- 	 2,200 		NEW 
 1099 		 	Fraction rail S18.5 (F) S33 (F) (each set of two) 			 560 
 1121 			 Curve rail C280-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1122 			 Curve rail C317-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1123 			 Curve rail C541-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 360 
 1124 			 Curve rail C280-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 360 
 1125 			 Curve rail C243-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1126 			 Curve rail C354-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 440 
 1127 			 Curve rail C317-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1128 			 Curve rail C391-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 480 
 1143 		 	Curve rail C243-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 360 
 1144 		 	Curve rail C354-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1145 		 	Curve rail C391-15 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1150 		 	Curve rail C605-10 (F) (2 sets) 			 400 
 1161 			 Double track rail curve DC317 · 280-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 1,200 
 1162 			 Double track rail curve DC391 · 354-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 1,300 
 1163 			 Double track rail curve DC465 · 428-45 (F) (2 sets) 			 1,600 
 1168 			 Double track rail slab curve DC465 · 428-45-SL (F) (2 sets) 			 1,600 
 1169 		 	Double track rail slab curve DC539 · 502-22.5-SL (F) (2 sets) 			 1,100 
 1171 			 HC280-45 (F) elevated (two sets) 			 740 
 1172 			 HC317-45 (F) elevated (two sets) 			 740 
 1173 			 HC243-45 (F) elevated (two sets) 			 740 
 1174 			 HC354-45 (F) elevated (two sets) 			 780 
 1191 		 	PC curve rail C280-45-PC (F) (4 sets) 			 800 
 1192 		 	PC curve rail C317-45-PC (F) (4 sets) 			 800 
 1215 		 	Manual point N-PR541-15 (F) (full selectable). 			 1,600 
 1216 		 	Manual point N-PL541-15 (F) (full selectable). 			 1,600 
 1240 		 	Electric Y-point N-PY280-15 (F) 			 2,400 	
 1245 			 Electric double slip point N-PXR140-15 (F) 			 4,600 
 1246 			 Electric double slip point N-PXL140-15 (F) 			 4,600

 1247 			 Electric point N-PX280 (F) 			 4,800 	
 1261 		 	3-way point N-PRL541/280-15 electric (F) 			 4,900 
 1262 		 	3-way point N-PLR541/280-15 electric (F) 			 4,900 
 1271 		 	Electric point N-PR541-15 (F) (full selectable). 			 2,300 
 1272 		 	Electric point N-PL541-15 (F) (full selectable). 			 2,300 
 1273 		 	Electric point N-PR280-30 (F) (full selectable). 			 2,400 
 1274 		 	Electric point N-PL280-30 (F) (full selectable). 			 2,400 
 1278 		 	Electric point N-CPR317/280-45 (F) (full selectable). 			 3,500 
 1279 		 	Electric point N-CPL317/280-45 (F) (full selectable). 			 3,500 
 1321 		 	Crossing rail X72.5-30 (F) 			 1,000 	
 1322 		 	Crossing rail XR140-15 (F) 			 1,200 	
 1323 		 	Crossing rail XL140-15 (F) 			 1,200 	
 1324 		 	Crossing rail X37-90 (F) (auxiliary rail) 			 1,500 	
 1421 			 End rail E (F) 			 300 	
 1422 			 End rail E (LED type) (F) 			 900 	
 1423 		 	(LED2 · noise canceller with) end rail E (F) 			 1,000 	
 1424 		 	End rail E-WI (F) 			 320 	
 1521 			 With light rail release M70 (F) 			 380 
 1522 			 Variable rail V70 (F) 			 700 	
 1523 			 Error relay rail S140-RE (F) 			 420 
 1524 		 	Rirera PC rail S140-RE-PC (F) 			 420 
 1632 			 Rail block end block (F) 			 800 
 1633 		 	Turntable Ⅱ N-A212-15 (F) 			 21,000 
 1671 			 Both gap rail G70-W (F) 			 300 	
 1730 		 	Wide PC rail S280-WP (F) (10 sets) 			 2,300 	
 1731 		 	Wide PC rail S140-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 420 	
 1732 		 	Wide PC rail S280-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 500 	
 1733 		 	Wide PC rail S72.5-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 400 	
 1734 		 	Wide PC rail S70-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 400 	
 1735 		 	Wide PC rail S99-WP (F) (4 sets) 			 840 	
 1736 		 	Wide PC rail S158.5-WP (F) (4 sets) 			 920 							
 1738 		 	Wide PC rail fraction S18.5 · S33-WP (F) (each set of 4) 			 1,400 
 1739 		 	Wide PC rail S140WP (F) (branch point) (2 sets) 			 440 
 1740 		 	Wide PC curve rail C541-15-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 480 	
 1741 		 	Wide PC curve rail C280-45-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 500 	
 1742 		 	Wide PC curve rail C317-45-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 500 	
 1743 		 	Wide PC curve rail C354-45-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 540 	
 1744 		 	Wide PC curve rail C391-45-WP (F) (2 sets) 			 580 	
 1750 		 	Wide PC curve rail C605-10-WP (F) (4 Movies + S70-WP × 2 sets) 			 1,440 	
 1751 		 	Wide PC approach rail CR (L) 280-22.5-WP (F) (2 one set) 			 380 	
 1752 		 	Wide PC approach rail CR (L) 317-22.5-WP (F) (2 one set) 			 380 	
 1753 		 	Wide PC approach rail CR (L) 354-22.5-WP (F) (2 one set) 			 400 	
 1754 		 	Wide PC approach rail CR (L) 391-22.5-WP (F) (2 one set) 			 420 	
 1111 			 Super Mini curve rail C103 (F) (30 ° 60 ° 2 each) 			 760 
 1112 		 	Mini curve rail C140 (F) (30 ° 60 ° 2 each) 			 760 
 1113 		 	Mini curve rail C177 (F) (30 ° 60 ° 2 each) 			 760 
 1231 		 	Mini electric point N-PR140-30 (F) 			 2,400
 1232 		 	Mini electric point N-PL140-30 (F) 			 2,400
 1790 		 	Wide tram rail S70-WT (F) (2 sets) 			 360 
 1791 		 	Wide tram rail S140-WT (F) (2 sets) 			 460 				
 1795 		 	Wide Tram Super Mini Curve Rail C103-WT (F) (30 ° 60 ° each set of two) 			 900 
 1796 		 	Wide tram mini curve rail C140-WT (F) (30 ° 60 ° each set of two) 			 900 							
 1797 		 	Wide tram mini curve rail C177-WT (F) (30 ° 60 ° each set of two) 			 900 
 1798 		 	Wide tram rail fraction S18.5 · S37 · S47.5-WT (F) (4 pcs) 			 640 
 1799 		 	Wide tram rail crossing X37-90-WT (F) (auxiliary rail) 			 1,640 	

[bill937ca]

A Tomix  Finetrack  list in German from Japan Model Railways. Tomix Finetrack geometry.

[bill937ca]

I think i start to understand the tomix 3 way turnout. One leg is a 541 mm 15 degrees curve and the other is a 280, but actually it's a 33 mm straight, then a 280 mm 15 degrees curve and a 33 mm straight. The intereting thing is that this can nearly correctly replace a 541 mm 15 degrees curve. (would need 34 mm straights to be precise)

 

An article (in Japanese) with You Tube videos.

 

http://joshinweb.jp/train/3waypoint.html?ACK=TOKU&CKV=140311

 

http://joshinweb.jp/train/report.html?ACK=TOKU&CKV=140311

Edited May 16, 2014 by bill937ca

[katoftw]

the part number is a giveaway to what the radi are.

[katoftw]

For those that use tomix fine track. I got a few questions for you...

 

I'm thinking of using fine track for a non protable layout. Reasons being it is cheaper than Kato. Has more concrete pieces than what Kato offer mainly the PC stuff I'm after for making a modern layout. Kato only offer PC in double and canted options, Tomix offer it in single and non canted.

 

So...

Do tomix have power feed joiners like Kato?

How to the LED buffers work? Will the LED buffers work with DCC?

 

Thanks in advance. Probably more follow-on questions to come.

Edited July 19, 2014 by katoftw

[kvp]

 

Do tomix have power feed joiners like Kato?

Tomix feeders are placed under the rails. Two types exist, the older one that can be slid into the rails from the side and the new type that clips onto the underside of the rail. Most rail types, even shorter ones could be used for power feeds. The same sockets used for power feeds could also be used for placing TCS automation sensors for train detection. I've checked and the Tomix feeders don't have filter caps in them, so you can use them with DCC without modification. (which i already tried)

 

 

How to the LED buffers work? Will the LED buffers work with DCC?

They are fed from the rails by rectifying the track power. Yes, they work with DCC and with constant brightness, just don't use a too high voltage for the DCC signal. (anything below 16V should be ok)

[katoftw]

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Not a fan of the slide in power feeds. They look ugly. So the other clip in underneth type is the go for me.

 

Another question, is all the wide track curves all canted?

Edited July 20, 2014 by katoftw

[kvp]

 

So the other clip in underneth type is the go for me.

Just check which one is used with the track you select. Wide track ones are clip under and most newer ones too (even tram tracks), except classic single track.

 

 

Another question, is all the wide track curves all canted?

There are non canted ones, but not all types are available in all radii with concrete ties, so you have to check the list on either the Tomix website or the english translation on the previous page.

[katoftw]

1730 ワイドＰＣレールＳ280-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（10本セット） 2,300 △

1731 ワイドＰＣレールＳ140-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 420 △

1732 ワイドＰＣレールＳ280-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 500 △

1733 ワイドＰＣレールＳ72.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 400 ▲

1734 ワイドＰＣレールＳ70-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 400 ▲

1735 ワイドＰＣレールＳ99-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（4本セット） 840 △

1736 ワイドＰＣレールＳ158.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（4本セット） 920 △

1738 ワイドＰＣ端数レールＳ18.5・Ｓ33-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（各4本セット） 1,400 △

1739 ワイドＰＣレールＳ140ＷＰ（Ｆ）（ポイント分岐用）（2本セット） 440 ▲

1740 ワイドＰＣカーブレールC541-15-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 480 △

1741 ワイドＰＣカーブレールＣ280-45-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 500 ▲ ○

1742 ワイドＰＣカーブレールＣ317-45-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 500 △

1743 ワイドＰＣカーブレールＣ354-45-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 540 △

1744 ワイドＰＣカーブレールＣ391-45-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本セット） 580 △

1750 ワイドＰＣカーブレールＣ605-10-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（4本+S70-WP×2本セット） 1,440 △

1751 ワイドＰＣアプローチレールＣＲ（Ｌ）280-22.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本1組） 380 △

1752 ワイドＰＣアプローチレールＣＲ（Ｌ）317-22.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本1組） 380 △

1753 ワイドＰＣアプローチレールＣＲ（Ｌ）354-22.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本1組） 400 ▲ ○

1754 ワイドＰＣアプローチレールＣＲ（Ｌ）391-22.5-ＷＰ（Ｆ）（2本1組） 420 ▲

 

Do you need to use the 22.5 sections 1751-54 as a transistion for the 45 curve sections 1741-44?

 

What is TCS?

 

The bridge beam pieces that screw into the bottom of wide track. Their usage? To make you own viaduct/s?

Edited August 3, 2014 by katoftw

[kvp]

"Do you need to use the 22.5 sections 1751-54 as a transistion for the 45 curve sections 1741-44?"

 

Yes.

 

"What is TCS?"

 

Train Control System. It consists of train position detectors and various digital control systems. One example is the automatic control unit, that has several programs for layout automation. The other use is automated sound effects, like sounding a horn at a crossing (and also closing/opening the gates) or activating tunnel or bridge sound effects or even station announcements. The sensors are optically isolated wheel sensors (treadle type) with digital TTL outputs that could be daisy chained. They can be used with any microcontroller based circuit. The idea behind this is that adding digital electronics to trains and turnouts is harder and much more expensive than using a few sensors and a single large control unit that could control everything. It also predates DCC by a few decades.

 

"The bridge beam pieces that screw into the bottom of wide track. Their usage?"

 

There are separate bridge pieces for normal tracks, bridge track that comes pre assembled and generic bridge bases for making stations. Generally these can be mixed freely. Personally i've only used the pre assembled bridge pieces so far, they are just simple tracks with the bridge already screwed under them.

[E6系]

Hello,

 

I believe Tomix TCS system is analog.  The detectors are momentarily ON as the train passes.  The sensor is wired to other Tomix parts, such as signals and level crossings to activate them.  With Tomix, the signals can be wired up in series to work prototypically.  I do not use them, so cannot comment on their use with DCC systems.

Edited August 3, 2014 by E6系

[kvp]

 

I do not use them, so cannot comment on their use with DCC systems.

The sensors provide directional output based on track polarity, so with DCC both directions will be triggered. Some accessories (that are direction independent) work with it, some don't. In some cases they can be hacked by disconnecting the wire of one of the directions, making the sensors unidirectional. The sensors also work great if you use them with home made microcontrollers and other digital electronics. (the sensors contain two open collector optical isolators that are track powered on the input side, so metal wheeled rolling stock is needed to trigger them) It's possible to make filters that take the signal of two side by side TCS sensors and emit a single directional TCS signal even with DCC, also possible to use a DCC track occupancy circuit and convert its signal to directional TCS output for a Tomix level crossing to work with DCC.

[Ochanomizu]

Hello Mr kvp,

 

So sorry, but why go to such an expense and effort, when a simple short block with occupancy detection will achieve the same thing?

[HantuBlauLOL]

What is the rail code of finetrack? Also what is the numbers of the turnout? (#)

 

I've used this track for years and still don't know these..

[kvp]

 

What is the rail code of finetrack? Also what is the numbers of the turnout? (#)

Code 80, so it's compatible with most N scale wheelsets. They use the same trick peco does and sink the bottom of the rails into the roadbed and the rails are a bit thinner than unitrack, so finetrack looks finer, while having the same code and running characteristics as unitrack.

 

The turnouts are either R140 (mini), R280 (most), R317 (curved outer) and R541 (mainline), expressed in the radius of the diverging rail, which is easier to calculate with. To get the turnout number, you also need the length of the turnout, which can be 70 and 140 for most turnouts except the curved ones.

 

From these you can get the number of various turnouts, for example R140 mini is around 2.7, the R280 is 4 and R541 is 5.5. The fact that almost all Tomix rolling stock (including shinkansens) runs on R280 means that they can use #4 turnouts from most manufacturers, which allows more compact layouts. Fortunately, due to the metric nature of finetrack, you don't need these numbers for layout planning, just the turnout length and radius, which is encoded into the id of the tracks and is written on the bottom of each piece.

[katoftw]

Is there a way to get rid of the horrid DC feeder? #9 thingo.

 

 

edit//  Never mind.  Googling tells me you can use the feeder deom the wide tracks that clips up underneth.  Better looking option.

Edited January 7, 2015 by katoftw

[JR 500系]

Yap About to reply you when I saw your edited post below your picture.

 

Anyhow, I just got and tried my Tomix wide tracks (canted tracks) from Loco1 and they rocks! Check out the pictures at the other thread (what the post delivered). Definitely versatile and beautiful looking are the Wide tracks. Bottom feeding feeder cord and ability to join together, and the best option of able to place either side walls, or 2 different types of fencings. Very real looking!

 

Only downside is perhaps I find the gap at the both ends (the ballast) too wide, making the track look fatter...

[E6系]

Hello Mr Katoftw,

 

You can cut off the grey part and solder the wires to two track joiners.

[cteno4]

Or solder directly to the underside of the rail if you want a really strong connection. Takes a little work to clear a slot under the rail thru the roadbed with a rototool but you end up with a super strong hidden connection. You have to use smaller gauge wire if you are plopping the track down so the wire won't lift the track trying to route it out one side.

 

Rail joiner connections are great to move around, but they do tend to break with stress, but easy to repair if you are just plopping track down. But if nailed down track that's not a worry.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[kvp]

If you really want to solder to the underside, it's better to route the wire under the table through a hole. Also i think getting a piece of wide track and snapping off the wide part to make it fit into the normal tracks and using the standard under the track connector is much easier. If you really want to connect the wires to the underside but doesn't want to drill a hole, then you can file a bit off from the roadbed to route the wires out. Street tracks that also use the hidden connector already have these slots on both sides.