Fun with <gasp> Unitrack!

[bbussey]

I photographed a layout that was built with Unitrack and similarly weathered and blended-in that was featured in N Scale Magazine in 1999 and again in the ten-year anniversary commemorative book.  It definitely can be made to have the appearance of conventional sectional track.

[Rich_S]

Not to mention that even if Code 80 rail could be replaced with Code 55 rail in flextrack, what about the turnouts?  Without handlaying track, Code 55 turnouts are practically unavailable, too, and there is no way to replace the rails in a turnout.

DFF

Peco makes code 55 track and turnouts, does anyone have any experience with Peco code 55? Pro's Con's? 

[Chris1274]

Peco makes code 55 track and turnouts, does anyone have any experience with Peco code 55? Pro's Con's?

The usual criticism is that the tie spacing is still unprototypical for North American railroads. I've also heard that the flex track is stiff because the rail is deeply-embedded code 80.

[Scottl]

You only have to bend it once!

[kalbert]

Well I can see where this thread is going, and it's not going to end well, so I'll compliment Mr. V. before it gets crazy. 

Track looks nice sir! I'm impressed at how well you were able to blend the repair into the surroundings, UniTrack or not.

[Dave V]

It is the Railwire and I fully expect criticism.  I wish I could be that handlaid code 40 guy; I really do.  However, track is not where the preponderance of my model railroading skill lies and there's nothing more frustrating than stalls and derailments on otherwise beautiful track.  I would take ugly, reliable track over beautiful but poorly laid track.  My skills with Atlas c55 are marginal at best.

[Philip H]

It is the Railwire and I fully expect criticism.  I wish I could be that handlaid code 40 guy; I really do.  However, track is not where the preponderance of my model railroading skill lies and there's nothing more frustrating than stalls and derailments on otherwise beautiful track.  I would take ugly, reliable track over beautiful but poorly laid track.  My skills with Atlas c55 are marginal at best.

Dave, I'll be the first to take and Airsoft AK to ANYONE who threatens your Railwire Card.  Your skills in many areas are top flight - just look at where you've been able to publish for Pete's sake.You don't NEED to be the Code 40 guy, and if you tried to become him, we'd loose a driving force in Pennsy loco construction and Pennsy signal replication in scale.  Do what works, and color it right, and keep moving.

[towl1996]

I have no criticism with the looks of your current code 80 track work. And you did a great job of blending in the Unitrack, I can't see any transition. The best looking Unitrack I've ever seen. You've proven that Unitrack is a viable option. Don't lament the lack of code 55 track.  What good is a layout if you can't run on it? I never drank the ATLAS code 55 kool aid, looks only get you so far.  To me it was a design failure from the start and continues to fail to this day. It drove Jerry B. away.

Ultimately, this exposes N scale weakest link, rtr track. Why is it so hard to produce a line track that looks good, operates reliably, and is a quality product? I recall DKS saying no to track, but man the opportunity is there.

[Virginia Atlantic]

It is the Railwire and I fully expect criticism.  I wish I could be that handlaid code 40 guy; I really do.  However, track is not where the preponderance of my model railroading skill lies and there's nothing more frustrating than stalls and derailments on otherwise beautiful track.  I would take ugly, reliable track over beautiful but poorly laid track.  My skills with Atlas c55 are marginal at best.

I find this viewpoint...refreshing, coming from a well-regarded and talented model railroader such as yourself.

I've been pondering a return to the hobby the past week or so, and one thing I'd like is to simply get a nice loop of track with a running train on it.  In all my years of custom painting/decaling the VARR equipment back when, I was never a "runner", purely a car decorator and logo/scheme designer.

Unitrack, while hardly the prettiest thing, would give me something to aim for for easier than laying a railroad of normal Atlas track or the like.

I think I'd just like to see a VARR GP40 pulling a short string of VARR and W&OD Orner hoppers going round and round tbh. 

[DKS]

Why is it so hard to produce a line track that looks good, operates reliably, and is a quality product? I recall DKS saying no to track, but man the opportunity is there.

I said "no" because it would not be affordable for my company size. It would take an Atlas-sized business, and I believe that's what they're trying to do with their "True Track" line (with correct tie spacing, albeit totally whack ballast color). Notice the selection is small; I suspect it's due to the stiff competition they're facing, namely Kato. It would be a huge risk for Atlas to invest in a comprehensive track line without first capturing enough market share to make it worthwhile, and I'm not sure how they might do that--it's a chicken-and-egg kind of thing.

[rsn48]

To the person asking about Peco 55, start a separate thread, you will get responses.

[High Hood]

If I've learned anything from The Railwire it's that track appearance matters!  I'm still sticking with good ole Unitrack though!

[kalbert]

To the person asking about Peco 55, start a separate thread, you will get responses.

Please don't... use the search feature... There are plenty of threads on Peco vs Atlas vs 80 vs 55 vs ME vs hand lay vs FastTracks vs MicroTrains box cars ride too high. The topic has been talked to death here and every other forum.

[kalbert]

Why is it so hard to produce a line track that looks good, operates reliably, and is a quality product?

It falls to the same conundrum that affects all existance. Cheap, Reliable, Fast. Pick two. Any project management self help natural healer hippie that says otherwise is out of touch with reality.

If making track that looks good (which is certainly in the eye of the beholder to begin with), operates reliably (also quite open for debate), and is a quality product (yep, this too)  is so easy... Why don't you do it? 

[Rich_S]

If you followed along in my layout engineering thread, you saw that I replaced a kinked section of code 80 track (visible in the first two photos) with Kato Unitrack.

The final result, ballasted and weathered:

Dave, Sorry for taking the thread sideways  To get back on topic, I'm amazed at how well you were able to blend the UniTrack with your existing Atlas code 80 trackwork. Very nice