Kato Train Set and Expansion Packs

A look at a great Kato N scale Passenger train set and three Kato expansion track sets. Plus, how you can use glue dots to temporarily secure your Kato track.
►Glue Dots: amzn.to/4e6GOKG
►Kato Train Set: amzn.to/4gs8eMQ
►Kato M1 Set: amzn.to/3BbXulK
►Kato V1 Set: amzn.to/3TzNWHn
►Kato V2 Set: amzn.to/4d4vzRO
►Kato V3 Set: amzn.to/4eozaew
►Kato V5 Set: amzn.to/3TudOEw
►Kato V6 Set: amzn.to/3XMMtQu
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TRAIN SETS:
►T Gauge Sets: www.vcshobbies....
►Z Scale Sets: ztrackcenter.c...
►Kato N Scale Amtrack ALC-42 Set: amzn.to/4gs8eMQ
►N Scale Kato Amtrak Set: amzn.to/3iyCbBt
►N Scale Kato Super Chief Set: amzn.to/3B4ISS7
►Kato N Scale Track and Controller Set 1: amzn.to/3B61UHF
►Kato N Scale Track and Controller Set 2: amzn.to/3Y5hflZ
►More Kato Track Sets: amzn.to/3OYcZQJ
►HO Scale Rail Chief Train Set: amzn.to/3OVJizQ
►O Scale Lionel Polar Express Train Set: amzn.to/3EQLcNu
►O Scale Lionel Hogwarts Express Train Set: amzn.to/3Y5hM7t
KATO TRACK:
►Kato Unitrack (N Scale): amzn.to/3kl9msS
►Kato Unitrack (HO Scale): amzn.to/3kl9msS
CONTROLLERS:
►Battery Powered Controllers that work great for N scale too: amzn.to/3umqFfa
►Awesome DCC Starter System: amzn.to/3gZVbbp
LAYOUT KIT:
►HO Scale Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3uiPvN1 (my first adult railroad project)
►Track set for Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3VPyzsS
►Building set for Grand Valley Kit: amzn.to/3F1b8WQ
►N Scale Scenic Ridge Kit: woodlandscenic......
►N Scale building set: amzn.to/3BsZMu3
TOOLS:
►Bench top hot wire cutter: amzn.to/3Voq1tk
►My Filament 3D Printer (upgraded version): amzn.to/3Uroph6
►Snap-off Blade Utility Knife: amzn.to/3OXM1cj
►Cordless Dremel Set: amzn.to/3VO86Mm
►My DeWalt cordless drill: amzn.to/3gW5i18
►My Dewalt cordless saw (current version): amzn.to/3H73Jbo
►My Dewalt cordless miter saw: amzn.to/3VNnzfL
►My DeWalt Cordless Brad Nailer: amzn.to/3XBvltD
►Speed Squares: amzn.to/3IxfJ6h
►Hot glue gun: amzn.to/3ZFcTmk
More Items:
►NEC PowerCab: amzn.to/3acwox9
►Digitrax DS74 Units: amzn.to/3M7KBbW
►Push Buttons: amzn.to/3M9eEQG
As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission from the sale of any products made through Amazon links on this page.

[@DIYDigitalRailroad]

The Kato Unitrack system is the best set track system of any scale IMO.

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, it’s super easy and reliable to work with and takes a lot of the frustration out of N scale.

[@Justlovedolls2024]

Are we forgetting about the #4 turnout reliability, the lack of turnout selection, the fact you need to buy a spade drill bit to get the oversized power connectors in place, the fact when a turnout breaks you physically have to tear part of your layout apart vs switch motors that screw onto your layout. The fact the #6 are only power routing, the #6 do not follow correct spacing for double track (33mm between rails) the lack of crossing tracks, the fact USA starter sets will not fit on 2x2 foot foam board since the curves are too big, no way to wire signals to control multiple trains (unlike marklin and minitrix) and the fact you have to buy KATO roadbed to connect to non roadbed track systems without a transition piece. Or they can't even mold a notch into the track piece to let the wires pass though. Don't even think about placing a bridge piece flat down its not going to happen. One of the only N gauge systems without stackable bridge Piers and forget if you want brick Piers or anything else besides poured concrete. If your buying in HO your going to have even more limitations, no one makes a viaduct system for code 83 besides atlas so if you want bridges buy code 100 peco track for the bridge system with the most variety. The only thing kato offers over any N Gauge set track system is the 90 degree crossing without legs to allow for double track or larger diamonds at the same cost as atlas without having to cut your track.

[@brodrick3164]

⁠@@Justlovedolls2024get a forstner bit or the tool to remove the connector. I think the tool is about $6 but it may have gone up in the last year.

[@Rail_Calamity]

Have you tried the new re-worked true-track system from Atlas though? It has prototypical US tie spacing for modeling North American railroads, code 65 rail, mixed gray ballast, and even sectional pieces to allow for transitioning to code 55 flex.

[@G_de_Coligny]

Tomix finetrack have more choice for turnout/crossing, plug directly with flexible track

[@DannyCrowley-rs3km]

Kato track and engines are my first choice. Thanks for showing and explaining how things work. Very helpful.

[@dunky7157]

I wish Kato made their track system for three rail o scale. It’s so good!

[@Linda_Eskin]

Glue Dots rock. I have been using them to stick my test track in place. They make removable ones which are great for trying stuff out but still being able to move it later. There’s also tape that is essentially the same stuff.

[@StevesTrains]

Ah, I’m pretty sure it was you that got me onto glue dots in the first place. I knew someone had talked about them but could remember who or where I had seen that.

[@loispadgett6306]

Enjoy seeing how many ways you can use Kato track packs. Thanks Steve for sharing. GOD BLESS 🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕🚂💕

[@K4rt80y]

I might add, for limited budgets, look towards Kato's CV1, CV2, and CV3 compact track sets. Use their Pocketline trains, and trams for a very compact, very smooth set.

[@RocktCityTim]

I use Kato track for my HO layout. The quality is suburb, but the pricing is a bit tough to swallow - $150 for the HV2 manual turnout siding kit is steep.

[@funcarsnow5973]

Great information. Your show and tell is perfect for a rookie. Thanks so much.

[@Miertreg1]

Nice train, interesting video🛤🚂👍. Greetings from Germany Gert

[@jimkray5159]

Steve, Does Kato provide the dimensions for each track pack layout? It would be great to know these sizes.

[@StevesTrains]

Some of the ones on their website do and some don’t. A lot of times you have to figure it out by summing up the length of the track pieces.

[@inuyashaknight978]

Thanks for video. Can you do a video on using DCC with Kato?

[@StevesTrains]

I’ve used DCC with most of my layout projects. My 2x4 n scale project layout I finished earlier this year used both DCC and DC on the same layout (all Kato unitrack) and my 1x5 n scale layout I’m just finishing up uses both DC and DCC. You don’t generally need to do anything special to Kato track to run DCC.

[@andriustip]

Thanks for the video :) but what about Tomix track system do you know anything about it ?? thanks

[@StevesTrains]

It looks great, but it is harder to find here. I’ve never seen it in a shop here. One day I’ll order some from an overseas shop and try it out.

[@ingomoba1001]

Hi Steve, Seit einiger Zeit sehe ich mir Deine Videos an, speziell zur Spur Z. Alles wunderschön und ich würde sehr gerne mir ein wenig Amerika nach Hause holen…. In Deutschland wird das System Kato von der Firma Noch ( Landschaftsbauartikel) vertrieben. Leider ist kaum was lieferbar. Nur sehr wenig Gleis ist sofort lieferbar. Alles andere ist angeblich in der Produktion. Die von Dir vorgestellten Starsets gibt es ( offiziell) garnicht zu kaufen. Bleibt nur der Umweg über einen Händler in Canada/ USA. Dazu noch der recht teure Versand, und ab 450€ Warenwert wird Zoll fällig. Also, man wartet sehr lange und bezahlt fast 3x soviel wie bei euch. Schade. Trotzdem, Deine Videos sind Spitze und vielleicht findet sich ein Weg, um an die schönen Modelle zu gelangen Liebe Grüße aus Mitteldeutschland 🛤️🛠️🚂🤩👍

[@steveburnham5073]

I don't know if someone commented yet, but their is an adapter for powering the track.

[@kentbarnes1955]

Thanks for an informative video. I LOVE my Kato track and expansion sets. One thing that I have run into, and maybe you have a video of this on your channel...but could you cover "connectors" between locomotives and rolling stock? I had picked up some "not Kato" rolling stock last year before I went and started standardizing on Kato. The "connectors" are very different, and I'm wondering "what" the preferred connectors are...and if you've ever had to "change out" the connectors on your locomotives or rolling stock. Thanks again.

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, the Kato couplers are smaller that others and are not my favorite. The gold standard in N sale is generally the micro trains couplers but I like the mchenry couplers as well. Micro trains makes all kinds of couplers and conversion kits that will allow you to convert any locomotive or piece of rolling stock. If you only have Kato equipment the Kato ones are fine but they don’t couple to non Kato equipment as well sometimes. I mostly have mchenry couplers on my stuff, but they generally couple to micro trains stuff just fine.

[@avlisk]

Kato seems to only know how to make high quality products. If I didn't have 60 years in HO, I'd definitely get Kato N scale. Have you seen Mike Fifer's layout? He uses Kato track, but has made a layout comparable to what you can create with flexi track. So, you aren't even limited to fixed track plans with the Kato system should you want to expand later. Link to his channel: www.youtube.com/@N-Scale/videos

[@StevesTrains]

Yes, his videos got me started in N scale actually. All my N scale project layouts I’ve built have used Kato unitrack. I have a lot of Kato unitrack track plans on my website as well: www.steves-trains.com/post/n-scale-track-plans

[@pierreinuk]

The other advantage of the Kato system is that you can set up a layout on the dinner table and have a tidy way to store all the pieces in the original packaging (which is durable enough to be re-used) whe you are finished

[@jontaylor6068]

I use Kato on my layout. I run dcc. All my switches are #6, I put insulated unijoiners on the switches.

[@JanHenk-k1b]

I really hope they expand more in Europe, because KATO stuff here is currently very expensive to get which is a shame because I would love to build a layout with such high quality track.

[@Dreoni_]

Those track connection clicks are so satisfying! The M1+V2 Crossover is quite tempting 🤭

[@StevesTrains]

Yes they are!

[@lexluthermiester]

For me, 19" radius track is the minimum. 12.5 is just too sharp a curve for trains to look good, especially the passenger stock. That's just me though, not everyone agrees.

[@1Klooch]

To add a note, Kato makes an adapter piece to make the Unitrack play nice with same code sectional and flex track. Do a little magic and use care with the road bed height at the transition point and it works. Useful where you're leaving Katoland into long\gently curved sections of the layout where flextrack really shines.

[@averageguy7136]

Great video Steve. I love Kato’s products as well.

[@aldimore]

No question the Kato Unitrack sets are great for beginners, or even layout expansion. I did all flex track with my HO layout, the Unitrack makes it so much more enjoyable to change a layout.

[@ChannelWright]

Thanks for the demo! I’m definitely interested in this system.

[@mymisty7]

Label those switches or not for total confusion😂

[@raamosjr]

Thank you for this excellent walkthrough! I just today set up the M-2 package and learned about the power-routing turnouts - somewhat of an accident as I wired the feeder section to the outside passing track. My loco did not move until I threw the turnout! I think that is an awesome feature. Also good to know about glue dots and extension wires! Kato is so reliable. Would love to know your approach to track cleaning g and equipment maintenance.

[@StevesTrains]

The M2 package is a great way to start out. As far as track maintenance, I sometimes use the Woodland Scenics track cleaning blocks when things are bad, but otherwise usually use a solvent of some type. I use rubbing alcohol a lot, but it isn't actually good for keeping the track clean. Other chemicals are better, but you run the risk of taking paint of things and the like. Rubbing graphite on the tracks can help keep things cleaner (it fills in scratches and reduced arcing which leaves carbon deposits and such), and rubbing the rails down with things like NO OX ID amzn.to/3Tu1K63 can help a lot too in terms of keeping the track clean for a long time, but you have to be really careful with that stuff that you only get a very thin layer on the track and don't have any globs anywhere or that will get into your locomotive and can gum up the gears and stuff.

[@johnschutt9187]

Very nice. Thanks.

[@Rail_Calamity]

*Atlas has released their new re-worked sectional true-track system in a mixed gray ballast; code 65 with prototypical US tie spacing... Kato Unitrack is great for beginners or to setup for a quick test/break-in loop. However, on a permanent layout or completed module, you always have an elevated track profile with plastic roadbed that just doesn't look right in industries, yard tracks, and passenger stations where ballast is shallow and typically flat...no matter how much someone tries to blend it in - not to mention the obnoxious rail size (c80) and non US tie spacing; there is no hiding that. If modeling North American railroads, nothing beats code 55/40 ballasted + weathered track.

[@StevesTrains]

The Atlas track does look nice.

[@tmfe1986]

Hi steve, how are you? After watching many of your videos im considering making the transition from ho to n scale. I've recently made the transition from Marklin (3 rail) to DC/DCC (2 rail) and im starting to build the layout, but kato unitrack system and the fact that n scale practically doubles up the amount of space i have, is really tempting. Regarding rolling stock i know that for n scale i can find stock from all around the world, that was my main issue with marklin 3 rail, really limited stock and somehow i felt i was in a "closed ecosystem", thats why after so many years of being on the marklin bandwagon (almost 35 years) i've decided i wanted to step down.

[@StevesTrains]

Only issue is that sometimes you need to change out the couplers as not all types work together that reliably. Usually not hard to change them, however.

[@piotrowskipaul8520]

With the way you are putting the feeder unijoiner you will have trouble removing them. Found out the hard way and broke one which I fixed with solder. I recommend putting them with the wire "under" the rail, one joiner per rail only replacing the ones you took out of the rails. I believe beginners will make the same mistake as me (or just use the feeder tracks really)

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah, that is probably better. In some cases I just solder wires to the rail anyway since that is of course a lot cheaper.

[@palatinator]

Thank you

[@Maurice00PA]

Kato Unitrack got me up and running right away when I got back into Model Railroading. Even the packaging is great. I hated to throw away the boxes the sets come in but didn't have the room to store them. It should be noted that Kato makes there stuff durable because in Japan, most modelers only have room to set up temporary layouts on the floor of their homes.

[@FrankC321]

I think I have that exact same set, inner loop, outer loop and the side passing. I did not know that the side passing has switchable power, thank you Steve.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

I use Kato track for my portable N scale layout

[@fmphotooffice5513]

9:25 Very nice feature! (That baby blue color is hideous though.)