Realistic Kato Unitrack | Model Train Diorama How To Series

Realistic Kato Unitrack , the sixth detailed video in the Model Train Diorama How To Series. This could easily be called N Scale Modelers How To Series, as I model N Scale, but the modeling and scenic techniques and how to tutorial instructions apply to all types of model railroad layouts, modules, and dioramas, and may be valuable to both beginners and advanced modelers.
This video walks through the process of ballasting and weathering Kato Unitrack on my N Scale Diorama, first showing how to add ballasts to the already included plastic ballast of the track, and then the use of Monroe weathering powders to make the track and ballast look realistic.
Future videos will cover other aspects of the diorama module build.
My goal is to share in these videos my process of learning and building my first N Scale train layout using techniques I am learning by watching other modelers on KZbin.
I am using extruded foam extensively, using Ken Patterson’s layout construction as a model.
If you like what I am sharing please consider subscribing and hitting the like button.
Also please leave comments and suggestions, they are greatly appreciated.
Please visit my website nscalemodelers.com/
Model railroading is fun, please join me as I work on building my first layout

[@hadynmcloughlin4661]

Love this! just wanted I wanted as a new train enthusiast and wanted to know how to make unitrack more exciting. Thanks for sharing (new sub today)

[@jimtedesco]

I always wondered how you would ballast unitrack, now I know. Only I would have weathered the track before ballasting. Thank you for sharing.

[@CraftyFoxeMC]

That looks really realistic, I can't even tell it is Kato unitrack anymore

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks

[@grandparails8858]

It turned out great Anthony. Thank you for the video. You are right about taking your time. JD

[@JoeG-firehousewhiskey]

What an amazing job at making that track look realistic! I like your weathering techniques!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you very much.

[@brtree74]

Awesome tutorial on Ballasting, weathering and making Unitrak look realistic. Fantastic result, looks amazing.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks

[@ryanmoore2176]

Great video! Short and to the point. I really enjoyed watching this and will be trying your method.

[@silverfox5319]

Awesome result. Great job. It really looks good. For me however, and after major back surgery, I have to use the Kato track as is, and I will gladly do so. It is nice to see however, what someone can do with modeling skills like yours.

[@patmaufrais1043]

It looks very realistic!

[@harryhumstone3149]

Looks like it’s coming along nice can’t wait to see the final results

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks. I’m having a lot of fun with it. Just wish I had more time to devote to the hobby.

[@alexmorgan2296]

Really helpful - thank you for sharing

[@joeystrains.9316]

Excellent job. You make it look easy. I'll be watching your videos.

[@sherlock1895]

Very informative. Cheers!

[@gmaneis]

It's great to watch a video from someone who manages to keep what he's demonstrating in the camera's field of view. So many don't bother! I really appreciate your excellent technique here. I would imagine other rusty colors would work as well as yours. Thanks for sharing.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks

[@VieleDominoes]

Oh wow... so detailed

[@davestrains6816]

Great video. This method is very similar to what I do. Glad to always see another KATO track user. Thanks for sharing. Dave

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks. I’m glad I changed. I didn’t have it in me to deal with flex track and soldering, etc.

[@DruSteel69]

Great video, Anthony. Great job. It looks great. Happy model railroading! - Drew

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks Drew.

[@n-scaleunionpacificevansto6569]

Looking fantastic! Applying ballast as you've done really transforms Kato Unitrack into track that looks very realistic! ...Roy

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

It sure does. Thanks for showing me the way...Anthony

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

i'll be doing this with their HO track, thanks for posting

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

You’re welcome. Glad it could be of help. I’m really sold on this track.

[@SouthLouisianaRails]

Super helpful! Thanks for the amazing tips! You just got another subscriber!

[@nscaleendeavor1267]

Great video. I am working with Kato Unitrack and this was very helpful. Thx.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you.

[@mysticrailroad]

wow you do some great work man. love the track weathering. can't believe i didn't see this channel before! i'm tuned in now.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Mystic Southern Railway thanks. I’ve been on a bit of a break the last few months. Just relocated to a new state and haven’t been able to work on the layout. Hope to be posting new stuff soon.

[@alexmorgan2296]

Really helpful guide - thank you for sharing. Just hope I have the patience . . . . !!!!!

[@sheri1983]

Man you are a genius thank you!

[@TrainDetailsbyGuss]

Great information.

[@csxmad]

Now that turned out looking great well done cheers Robert

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks.

[@kobe_3128vvvf]

日本のメーカーのものを使ってくれるのは、日本人として嬉しいです! これからも頑張って下さい!

[@davidsheriff8989]

Educational and helpful...simplicity is the key

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks for the comment.

[@pdrrengineer1404]

Nice how-to video Anthony. It should encourage all uni-track users to take the plunge and make their layout come alive. Art...

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks.

[@modelrailer]

Yo Hastings whats up brother! What a great how to man. Hope to see more videos from you.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Just trying to enjoy the hobby and share my progress when I can. Thanks for checking it out. You planning on going to Strasbourg? Hope so, looking forward to catching up with everyone.

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

Very helpful Anthony! Good job!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you my friend.

[@northerncountryrailroad8939]

That looks outstanding

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@northerncountryrailroad8939]

Hastings BNSF N Scale Modeler no problem

[@sparky107107]

looks like a good job to me . and like any ballasting. it takes time

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

It does indeed. But that’s ok, it’s all part of the hobby. Thanks for watching.

[@ewoodrailway]

Great video, I've subbed for more!!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you.

[@normanrowe2831]

Hello, very nice job! Thanks.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks Norman.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Wow that's looks great 👍

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks, it was fun working through how best to do it.

[@basil97]

Nice video

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you.

[@dacuzzz]

hi Anthony... that was an awesome "how you" video... thx for sharing... vinny/cuzzzz

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you my friend.

[@JoeyBPhotography]

Looks good, nice technique

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you, it was my first time trying it. The powders work better than expected....Anthony

[@wwkdiecastmore5647]

Great tutorial, really nice diorama, well done!....Bill

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you.

[@davebnsfnscale4433]

Nice work

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks Dave.

[@rdanscale3416]

Man.. Anthony that was truly Cool my KATO Track isn't extra ballast at all but this Video makes person wanna explore the technic when doing this with Kato as the way it's designed it's little harder to solder would a Modler want add more power Rail joiners to make sure there adiquit enough power flowing through it.. Thanks Allen D New Subscriber.🚂🚂🚂🚂🤓

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks Allen for the nice comments and subscribing. I’m working on more videos, it been a busy year at work and my channel took the hit. Thanks again...Anthony

[@LaytonJunction]

great video very nicely done have a great week all the best from the u k 👍👍👍😃

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope to get more videos published soon.

[@gnom3_tb141]

This looks amazing! How do you go about cleaning the rails afterwards?

[@freshpack8928]

Looks awesome but Seems good for a small layout but a larger one would take forever.

[@ThomasTheTrackMaster]

Hi there! Saw the video and the section for weathering the track and was wondering if normal acrylic paint diluted with water could also work to weather the tracks. I’m a beginning model railroader so your tips are very helpful!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

That is a good question, I have not tried that method but it sounds like it should work.

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

Household size paintbrush....you mean a Bob Ross background brush lol I need to see how the turnouts are weathered. It's nice when I can add power to my frogs and get them isolated with normal track, and then just indiscriminately paint everything with an airbrush. I wonder how Kato turnouts will work with this method. I'd rather not have to use powders. The ballasting is nice though. I think I'm going to end up using ground goop to level out the roadbed so it's more or less ground level.

[@NHseacoast]

Awesome work! Where did you get the small needle dropper bottles for the glue? Thanks George Subscribed!

[@mjtunstall1976]

try using eye droppers they works fine instead of brush

[@WillieBeard]

Technique looks great for a module or diorama. For a larger layout it would take too much time.

[@krispavone3856]

Great job and great video! Which brand of ballast are you using here? Is it Kato or is that Woodland Scenics?

[@PHANANHVLOGS]

Ban lam video hay qus minh rat thich cach ban lam

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thank you.

[@Bouquetfragrance1]

素晴らしい鉄道模型映像ですね、気に入りましたよ、お見事です。 チャンネル登録しました、ご確認ください。

[@Trainmaster909]

What kind of ballast are you using? I was really impressed by the final outcome and want my track to look just like yours

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks. Here is a link, it’s Woodland Scenic fine gray. woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/BAL-G

[@therailbaron18]

Why wouldn't you paint the rails before gluing the track down? Or at least before ballasting, to avoid having to work around the ballast particles which inevitably attach themselves to or near the rail web? Then the weathering powders, when worked in/ blended, hit the painted rails as well.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

This is great so you don't have to paint the track like other people do

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Well, at least for now that is how I am doing it. I’m still learning and experimenting. Thanks for watching.

[@seanpacificrailroad3700]

@@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594 thanks for your reply you have great videos and I'm looking forward to seeing more do you have anything on modeling a river

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks. Nothing yet, my work has taken away time from the hobby. I hope to get back to it soon. Have you checked out Luke Towan’s KZbin channel? Lots of great information on water features.

[@CrossedAnchorsRailroads]

That was angriest technique. Getting ready to do some of that soon on our layout.

[@tubeflorian]

Is that 2 or 3 layers of ballast?

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Just two. First one is with undiluted glue on the plastic first with the second application on top of this after it dries. Without the first step the ballast will slide off and not keep a good profile when soaking it with diluted glue like when ballasting normal track.

[@tubeflorian]

@@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594 Thank you!

[@obtv6827]

The ballast you added does not look the same color as the track ballast. Did you use ballast from Kato, or something else? Kato makes a ballast that is color matched to the track.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

Thanks for asking, no it was another brand.

[@daveygivens735]

If you can get it to look like this, who wouldn't use KATO?

[@tsu8003]

An easy way to add ballast to the plastic sides of the track is to use double sided tape and just sprinkle the ballast on top. You can then use that as a foundation for completing the rest of the ballasting.

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

That sound like a great idea, I’ll definitely give it a try. Thanks

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

Email me or call me, I'm going to be in Hastings tonight, about 1/2 hour!

[@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594]

I can’t seem to find a phone number or email address.

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

@@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594 Desktop, About section

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

@@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594 Ampride west side US-34/US-281

[@CONTAINERMAN68]

@@hastingsbnsfnscalemodeler8594 Cenex, not Ampride

[@rogerwindsor2130]

Wrong way to ballast, ballast first then glue.

[@quintinthemississippirailfan]

Nice video