Just for aesthetics, I have almost always placed a short section of straight track between a curved section and a turnout. I have heard a lot of mention of Kato #4 turnout issues as I am looking into switching from Atas to Kato Unitrak on my next layout. Ty for this explanation and the suggestion of a longer straight track in between the curve and layout! I found some relief in my hesitation towards the Unitrack :)
Doug thank you! Your video confirms that I’m not alone suffering from the #4 turnout limitations. I also figured out 😅through countless trials that my trains don’t go into a #4 from a curved piece of track without derailing - but you actually provided the explanation. I appreciate your video!
This is an excellent tip. Like you I use # 4's to save space. Plus to add insult to injury I put my industrial yard at an angle. Now it seems with 4 axel locomotives and no more than 4 cars they perform ok. i need to go see if rolling stock length will make a difference. Thanks for the info!
Good to know. I'm making the upgrade from EZ to Unitrack and really didn't like how long the #6's are compared to the #4's. But EVERY review online was anti #4's. Guess I'll switch my cart back to the #4's from the #6's haha. Thank you!
nice! mystery solved. well done man! i can't judge my turnouts yet as i'm using atlas #6's which i ripped the motors off of because i'm going to use tortoises but until i get the pricey tortoises the switches are very loose. having said all that, when i build the big kahuna, i'm going with kato unitrack. i've heard it's very good in terms of smoothness/tracking. ps thankis for posting a new vid! lol
Very interesting and informative. I have an HO scale Unitrack layout with #4 turnouts, and while I have sections of straight track in front of them, I've noticed that one of my locomotives (a Bachmann Spectrum K4 4-6-2) either derails after hitting the frog or pushes through a closed switch. I'm wondering, then, how I can resolve this issue.
Although the straight track mitigates the issue the real problem is in the length of the coupler on the locomotive. The shank of the locomotive's coupler is too long. Kato's locos have three kinds of couplers. Short, medium and long shank. Those hoppers require a short shank.......The couplers have a throw angle.
I really couldn't say about other manufacturers, but the physics of coming from a curve into a turnout won't change much. The #6 turnout basically have a much milder curve, so you would reduce the risk. The worst geometry would be a reverse curve, AKA 'S' curve, or chicane. It's the increased pressure on the couple due to the curves putting the truck off the track.
![Dunc Sargent's Karst Valley Railroad [N Scale]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/oI1vdhV-NujKJR2WuFgh-jSKQdKKQ063u0C2OhSYUgD-DItm8574QKhycZwzyaoCj9JEHnE6=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
Just for aesthetics, I have almost always placed a short section of straight track between a curved section and a turnout. I have heard a lot of mention of Kato #4 turnout issues as I am looking into switching from Atas to Kato Unitrak on my next layout. Ty for this explanation and the suggestion of a longer straight track in between the curve and layout! I found some relief in my hesitation towards the Unitrack :)
Doug thank you! Your video confirms that I’m not alone suffering from the #4 turnout limitations. I also figured out 😅through countless trials that my trains don’t go into a #4 from a curved piece of track without derailing - but you actually provided the explanation. I appreciate your video!
#4s are a challenge, but I just don't have the space for #6s.
There's a number of guides to modifying the #4 as well, namely sharpening point ends and filing a notch for the point end to sit in.
Yep, every little bit helps!
I appreciate your defense of the KATO #4 turnout. I have not had any trouble with my #4 turnouts.
Brilliant deduction. Analitically solved.
Thank you!
I would also change the coupler on the locomotive to a Microtrains Medium Extention. It eliminated a lot of derailing/uncoupling problems
Kato addressed the issue as they have 3 shank lengths for their locos.
I have done the same with my locomotives and a lot of the issues disappeared
This is an excellent tip. Like you I use # 4's to save space. Plus to add insult to injury I put my industrial yard at an angle. Now it seems with 4 axel locomotives and no more than 4 cars they perform ok. i need to go see if rolling stock length will make a difference. Thanks for the info!
Good to know. I'm making the upgrade from EZ to Unitrack and really didn't like how long the #6's are compared to the #4's.
But EVERY review online was anti #4's.
Guess I'll switch my cart back to the #4's from the #6's haha.
Thank you!
Good luck. Check out other videos on how to modify the #4s for better reliability.
nice! mystery solved. well done man! i can't judge my turnouts yet as i'm using atlas #6's which i ripped the motors off of because i'm going to use tortoises but until i get the pricey tortoises the switches are very loose. having said all that, when i build the big kahuna, i'm going with kato unitrack. i've heard it's very good in terms of smoothness/tracking. ps thankis for posting a new vid! lol
Sounds awesome. Funny, I was just thinking about hacking one of my buggered #4s to try to mount a servo underneath. --dunc
Very interesting and informative. I have an HO scale Unitrack layout with #4 turnouts, and while I have sections of straight track in front of them, I've noticed that one of my locomotives (a Bachmann Spectrum K4 4-6-2) either derails after hitting the frog or pushes through a closed switch. I'm wondering, then, how I can resolve this issue.
Although the straight track mitigates the issue the real problem is in the length of the coupler on the locomotive. The shank of the locomotive's coupler is too long. Kato's locos have three kinds of couplers. Short, medium and long shank. Those hoppers require a short shank.......The couplers have a throw angle.
Ooo! Something else to play with. Thanks!
no mystery but thanks for confirming.. you cant come into any turnout directly from curved section of track... especially in reverse direction!
Yeah, I figured those that know already know, but I did enjoy the exploration and discovery! Cheers! --dunc
Are your #4 of recent production? IOW, has Kato been able to make any improvements over the years.
Yes, these are recent production. --dunc
@@DuncSargentsKarstValleyRR Thank you.
Is this a problem just with Kato, or do all #4 turnouts suffer this problem?
I really couldn't say about other manufacturers, but the physics of coming from a curve into a turnout won't change much. The #6 turnout basically have a much milder curve, so you would reduce the risk. The worst geometry would be a reverse curve, AKA 'S' curve, or chicane. It's the increased pressure on the couple due to the curves putting the truck off the track.
Cool Well its because you probably didn't switch it hard enough
Yeah, you might be right! Slam it!
Thanks yes sir
Nice awesome railroad.🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃
Thanks!
@@DuncSargentsKarstValleyRR Your more than welcome.🚂🚞🚞🚞🚞🚞