Kato Unitrack Layout Update #11 - New Lights & Passing Siding

Just installed 4 new LED light strips above the layout. I can see now!!!
Installed another passing siding on the left section as long as possible and moved the middle loop's right turnout to make it as long as possible also. Enjoy, ask questions and click the like button.

[@pitchpines3851]

Impressive layout! Lots of space for rolling stock and running long trains. Take care

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I'm still having fun and finding new things to try on this layout 👍

[@N-Scale]

Thanks for the shout out and the lights are GREAT !!!

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks Mike. I watched the beginning of your latest vid when going to bed and teared up 😢. Going to watch the rest this evening!

[@1babysag]

I love KATO it is the only track product I will use. It is so reliable. The price varies by where you buy it, but it is expensive, even if you have money to buy it. I wish that I could see your layout in total.

[@NitroStarGT]

I can go over my track layout in more detail on a video. The SCARM guy did get back with me and said my layout was coming up soon. I gave him the latest update of my changes also.

[@shashanonnie6897]

Yes yes. Nice. Ready for some scenery.

[@NitroStarGT]

Getting there 😁

[@SD45-ET44AC]

We grew up down the street from a paper mill, I sure hope things have improved. I know there isn’t anything left of the plant near us except empty foundations and overgrowth.

[@NitroStarGT]

We in a month long outage now. I'm wore out. Only the good Lord knows the future though. Thanks for commenting

[@glendaroberts5965]

Love the weathered look and the car with the flag on it.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks 😊. Very nice comments. Glad ya like 👍

[@LarryDiPalma]

Great job...love your chat....what is the smallest curve radius for the BIG BOY? DO you prefer Kato or Broadway Limited locos?

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks a lot. Earlier reviews said the Kato Big Boy would run on 11" radius I believe (check Kato USA's website). I jave not purchased a Broadway loco. I really like my Kato and my 2 Bachmann loco's though.

[@RealTalkPowersports]

Man those lights made a HUGE difference

[@NitroStarGT]

Yea they did bud! Thanks

[@TheNorthwestWind]

looks fun

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks. It is fun to switch cars and railfan

[@Silverstatetrains]

Love those micro train weathered hoppers. I may have those coming my way for my birthday. Layout is looking really good. I am making more changes to my layout….adding a mountain with a small loop to my layout with some other changes as well.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks, and I can hardly wait to see you next vid too! Happy early birthday 🎂 🥳

[@i1469]

I like the speed you run your trains.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks for the nice comment 👌

[@samimid2619]

Man, that's a great video.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks a lot

[@directorwiechern1474]

Nice layout man, seems you have plenty to keep you busy. Keep up the good work. Cheers

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks and yes there is always something to do. Juat have to pick and go.... or I can change my mind halfway through 😂

[@MichaelRailfan2808]

Indeed very cool

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks a lot

[@MarkTheLostTraveler]

I just started with kato nscale. Can't wait to see the layout on SCARM. Yes, its time for a nice city on your beautiful layout. I'm a sub now.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks for that! I've got some more track video coming with some issues I want to fix and a few added items. You will enjoy the Kato Unitrack for sure!

[@Core-vu6mc]

Nice layout!

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks so much for a nice comment! I've made some more progress since this vid. I made a Playlist to keep them together.

[@elleryparsons2433]

Very Nice Layout👍👍👍👍.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment 😀

[@elleryparsons2433]

When I Am Watching layout Videos I am Nit Picky just like the Rest of ya.

[@NitroStarGT]

@elleryparsons2433 Bahahahahaha. I'm easy go lucky. I get way too much stress and nitpicking at work 😫

[@richardwest9054]

Great layout, I like it!

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks so much!

[@timlaswell1088]

From what I have read as long as you have good bus wires then the length/amount of track doesn't warrant a booster. The number of locomotives running at the same time is what determines the need for boosters. I have heard anywhere from 1/4 amp to 1.5 amps per running loco. An idling loco with sound will pull a little more amperage than one without sound.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks for the backup on that subject. I haven't bought a booster yet and 8 locos is about the most I usually run at one time and that is going a slower speeds. Doesn't seem to break a sweat. NCE Powercab doesn't ever go over .9 amps. Thanks for the good comment 👍 😀

[@scotta.536]

Man I like the yard a lot! I used that design in my layout I liked it so much. We are about the same in terms of progress so I like seeing where you are. Looks great! Burning question: What made you go from RC to trains? You might have said it previously, but I cannot recall from memory.

[@NitroStarGT]

Thanks for the yard compliment! The RC question is a tough one. I still have plenty of RC's and always will. This train stuff just has me hooked, not much storage space needed (a lot smaller than RC's) and is always in the air conditioner! Bahahahaha. I might address that more in an upcoming video. Ya couldn't help but notice eh? I have sold 2 LMT's and a Rock Rey so far. No way I'm selling all of em. Have too many hahahaha

[@ROSS2629]

I am a little late watching this. Very nice BTW. I would be sure to include some Switch Towers. Just a thought.

[@NitroStarGT]

Great idea bud. Thanks a lot. I've got to pick out items like this to start acquiring

[@charleswoods9938]

Hey do you have any train cars in N scale of these railroads of L and N. ICG SCL MP SLSF roads and do you have any auto rack train cars to your collection

[@NitroStarGT]

I do not believe I have any of the cars you mention and no autoracks yet. Tha ks for asking. Do you have these freight cars on your layout?

[@jeffreyconnors8782]

You certainly have tons of track!! But absolutely no room for scenery lol

[@NitroStarGT]

LOL. Well, I've got room for less scenery than normal, bahahaha. I sure have fun building trains, switching cars, and industries on this thing though. 😊. I understand though. Tons of track in this space 😳😬🤪

[@jeffreyconnors8782]

@@NitroStarGT I say it because I’m the same way hahaha !! Why put in a town when I could put in a switching yard ???

[@NitroStarGT]

@jeffreyconnors8782 Exactly LOL! Its all about the trains man hehehehe

[@gregpoisson6797]

Sorry if this has been covered. What dimensions are your bottom and top parts of your L? You’ve got a lot of track and a good run there. Great work so far sir.

[@NitroStarGT]

No problem at all, bud. I wished I had more questions, but I'm not sure what ya mean. I only have 1 level. I am waiting on the SCARM developer to feature my layout on his website. Then I can point everybody to that site, and you can actually download the plan and look at every piece, tweak it, change it, use some of it, or whatever you want. I'll cover my layout deminsions in a future video also. Each far end is 36" deep. The left middle part is 32" deep. The right middle is only 26" deep (yard area). So the inside 90 degrees is about 33" from each wall. Thanks for asking, and if this is not the answer ya need, please ask some more 👍😁👌🙌

[@ShawnBrandon888]

Why use insulators? And bumpers? Very impressive layout

[@NitroStarGT]

I put insulatorsbetwween turnouts so I can power leads between them. This will allow trains to run when the turnout is switched in the other direction. I use bumpers cause I see em out at the mill I work at and they are available. I have not done any scratch made scenery yet so I don't have any earth type bumpers. I hope I answered your question. If not, please ask more. Thanks

I enjoyed watching this. I do G scale now, but I am seriously considering N scale. Any regrets going to N scale versus something else?

[@NitroStarGT]

Only thing I don't like is the tiny parts to assemble on the few structures I bought so far. I shake a little, and it is tedious. Of course, I wish everything was bigger, but then I would not have as much trackage and operational options in the same amount of space. As far as the trains and track, im loving N scale. I've got 3 trains going around now, and my grandson likes watching them start up, blow the horns, bells, hook up and swap some cars, and see several different trains running at the same time. G scale is very neat to me, by the way!

Thanks for the reply. G scale is great but even in my fairly large basement, it's hard to get for than a boring loop going on when some of the rolling stock requires 10 foot radius curves. I feel like I've been there done that with HO when I was young. N scale is interesting to me and I could build a full on railroad empire in 1/3 of the space. LOL @@NitroStarGT

[@NitroStarGT]

I hear ya. I started a 4x8 HO 35 years ago, and I had 2 loops and some turnouts. Check my latest video out and go to the official SCARM website and download my layout plan, and watch my layout review. I've got SO many more options to rail fan, build trains, push and pull cars while switching out industries, switch locomotives, park trains in yard, go to turntable, then head out the opposite direction, and so on LOL. The Kato track does cost some money but it run like a dream. My rolling stock doesn't jerk, wobble or look unreal going g all over it. Very fun. There are a LOT of other N Scale plans that mire realistic, more crazy looking, and all in between. You can copy and paste stuff off other layouts and build your own different things. The software is fun to make up plans in and the shopping list is awesome.

[@FrankFranco-ok5sf]

Did you use software to design your layout? If so what is it. Nice layout!!!

[@NitroStarGT]

I did use SCARM software. Check out my Playlist at the end of this video or find it on my channel. I have a video describing the SCARM program and how to download mine and other layouts, and you can start your own. Thanks for asking

[@jdromeo215]

What's the size of your layout? Also this is n gauge right?

[@NitroStarGT]

This is N Scale. This is an L shaped layout. 12 feet by 11 feet. Width is 36 inches down to 26 inches. Check out the link for my playlist at the end of this video. Easy way to find my update 15 video. I go over the size and layout on paper also. The SCARM website has my layout available to download and view and change up any way you want too also. Thanks for asking 👌🙌

[@jontaylor6068]

What switches are you using? #4 or #6

[@NitroStarGT]

All #6 turnouts except one #4 I bought to try and it works great. Using it on far right industry spot. I've got a vid of a detailed track review including a link to the SCARM web site where you can download and view each piece and build your own or mix and match layouts. Check it out

[@jontaylor6068]

@@NitroStarGT I saw your switches not derailing that’s why I was asking. I know #4 are notorious of derailments

[@NitroStarGT]

@jontaylor6068 That's what I have heard and only wanted 6's, but mine has not thrown a wheel off yet when I run through it switching out cars back and forth. Guess I got a good one. I've seen entire layouts made with #4's. I wonder how they do? Sounds like you've had bad experience with them

[@richardwest9054]

What design software do you use?

[@NitroStarGT]

SCARM. Watch my Layout Update #15. I've got details on SCARM and a link etc...

[@richardwest9054]

Great! Yours is the second layout where I heard SCARM, but did not catch how to spell it. I will check it out; I also am catching up with your model railroading videos. Richard

[@NitroStarGT]

Awesome