How to re use N Scale Kato Unitrack

How to re-use N Scale Kato Unitrack. It is easy to re-use N Scale Unitrack with a simple cleaning.

[@jeanpierredumur6449]

great video, I have e-z track, and have rebuild the lay out 3 times, and cleaned the track same way like you. I have a bucket and I clean the track in the bucket and dump the ballast and water in the ally. I live in an old apartment old pipes.....

[@RogerPerkins1939]

Mike, you are far more courageous than I am to submerge the double crossover in water. Good luck. Thanks for the video.

[@N-Scale]

Well maybe , but most folks will likely never have to do it. Thanks Roger , Mike

[@andrewsolaresmusic]

Hey Mike, this doesn't have anything to do with track cleaning, but i have a lot of dcc equipped n scale locomotives and want to speed match them. what tips and advice can you give for doing that kinda thing. Love your videos. -Andrew

[@sjrailroad1101]

hey Mike. I just re watched your vid on duble crossovers trying to solve some issues, and make some ideas work. you are the kato track master as far as I can tell, so here's the question. I have a real talent for punishment, I have 8 duble crossover on my layout. 4 of them in a small rip yard alone. is there a way to wire the individual swich for each lead on the crossover ? and I made a real mistake when I put down my dirt. the mix of glue and sand washed into one of the 4 swiches. I pulled out alot while it was wet, but now that it's dry it only throws halfway. can I use a pick and vacuum to clean it out ? or do you think I need to pull it and disassemble it ?

[@philiphickman5085]

You had a paper towel in your hand that could of gone over the plug hole to let the water drain slowly leaving you a sink wipe out for the bin.

[@N-Scale]

Thanks , Mike

[@sparky107107]

I would almost want to use a hair dryer on the turn outs and the cross over. just incase of water sitting in the smaller parts. but thats just me, For some reason water makes me nervous. thanks for the cleaning tips.

[@N-Scale]

I am sure that would work as well. Thanks , Mike

[@TONY_FEZ]

do your turnout motors still work after being submerged in water?

[@N-Scale]

Yes

[@craiglordable]

Much easier than trying to recycle PECO. I'm not always able to save my flex track but that is our club standard. Thanks for this tip. My next home N will probably be with KATO.

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Craig , I used to do my Peco in the same way. Thanks , Mike

[@RWSBaden]

Mike, Have you tried using an old toothbrush? They have shorter and stiffer bristles. I have one I use all the time for cleaning track, etc on the layout. Next time you have some track to clean, give an old toothbrush a try and see if it works better than your current brush? Regards, Rich S.

[@N-Scale]

That is a good idea. Thanks , Mike

[@_mrv_]

So there's no issues with the functionality of the switches after they have been soaked in water? I've had several of these switches apart so I know there are fairly simple in construction but I'd think it would take a while to dry out the electromagnetic coils since it's such tiny wire.

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

I have re-used several double crossovers with no internal issues using my suggestions. Thanks , Mike

[@garethdavies8673]

Thank you for your insight and expertise. I am just starting out with a model railway an I chose Kato trains first with peco track but have just switched to Kato unitrack. Your series has been very helpful

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Gareth, Mike

[@WallabyDan]

First you tear your old layout out and now you clean the track. You know you have started me down that road too!! Thanks for the info! Great job. I learn a lot from you!!!

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Dan , and hope you guys are well. Mike

[@colnagocowboy]

i thought you had done a video on reusing kato track previously

[@RWSBaden]

Hi Mike, Where in the world did you get that pay phone and does it still work? I haven't seen one of those in a long time :)

[@N-Scale]

Thanks , I got it from a coin snatcher when I worked for the company and yes it works. I have all the keys for it as well. Thanks , Mike

[@lionellance]

Hi Mike.. always good to know that I can take out and redo parts..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..

[@N-Scale]

Thanks , I am currently re-using about 85% of the old layouts Unitrack. Thanks , Mike

[@dacuzzz]

hi Mike... this video will help a lot of people .. thanks for sharing.. vinny

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

Thanks Vinny, Mike

[@anncash5274]

Doesnt the water damage the cross over?

[@N-Scale]

Nope. just keep the ballast out of the inside. Thanks , Mike

[@redstorm2003]

Would the innards (the circuit boards) of the turnouts get corroded?

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

Not in my location because we have a very low humidity. If the insides were to corrode they would likely do it in humid climates even without being cleaned. Thanks , Mike

[@jacko9759]

Thanks Mike, it's great to see how it's done, even a second time if you did it before, Jack

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Jack. Glad you stopped in . Mike

[@adventuresinmodelrailroading]

I want to know how to get glue and paint out of the mechanism after it has been installed on the layout. I don't want to rip out a yard ladder after a recent mishap involving a leaky paint pen.

[@nscalemodeltrainshowtochan4479]

White glue should not go into the turnouts in any large quantity or paint either. You could try to dis-assemble them but paint would be very hard to remove. Mike

[@adventuresinmodelrailroading]

Well, if I knew that the paint pen would spew paint all over the turnout, I would have chucked it into the garbage first.

[@N-Scale]

I hear you but I guess sometime we just have some unforeseen mishaps. Thanks , Mike

[@jamesdenny4734]

The water don't mess up the electric solenoid in the switch ?

[@N-Scale]

Not in all the ones I have cleaned. Thanks , Mike

[@SGTGhost]

great tips of how to clean your kato track.

[@N-Scale]

Thanks Sarg, Mike

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

what do you use if you don't use #4's

[@N-Scale]

I always try to use #6 Kato turnouts. Thanks , Mike

[@sparky107107]

might not be a good product to send into a septic system if you live out in the country side, lol. fun fun stuff

[@N-Scale]

I do not so I am not worried about it. Thanks , Mike