Did you just get a new train set for Christmas? Are you growing bored watching it go around and around the same oval? Don’t worry, your introduction into the world of model railroading is just beginning. Luckily for you, most train set manufacturers offer track expansion sets to help expand your starter train set.
Kato
Kato offers starter sets in both HO and N scale. Each set features Kato’s Unitrack, with a 7.7 x 4.5 foot oval of Unitrack in HO scale sets and a 50 x 24¾ inch oval of Unitrack in N scale sets. The company offers a variety of add-on track packs to add on to your oval.
Kato’s HV1, which stands for “HO scale Variation 1”, is a loop of track that fits around the original loop of track that came in your set. This is a perfect addition if you want to run a double-track mainline.
HV2 from Kato is a passing siding set with No. 6 manual turnouts. If you add this as one straight side of your original loop and move all of the original straight track to the other side, you will have a long passing siding that can hold a train while another train passes or operate as an industry track.
HV4 is intended to work with your original loop of track and HV1 as it is an interchange track. This set allows you to remotely switch trains between the original loop and outer loop. Add an HV2 to the circuit and you have the beginnings of a fun operations-based layout.
Kato’s V1 is the N scale equivalent of the HO scale V2 but with powered turnouts. Once again, if you place all of the straight sections that came with the original loop on one side, V1 fits on the other side and gives your trains a place to pass. Kato even sells a station platform set that fits in the space between the mainline and the siding to model passenger operations.
Elevate your train set with Kato’s V2. The single track viaduct set includes piers and a truss bridge to create an up-and-over abnormal figure-eight layout once added to the original loop.
Next in line is V3, Kato’s rail yard set. This set includes three powered No. 6 turnouts and enough track to add a three-track stub-ended yard onto your existing loop. Talk about operations! And if you don’t want a stub-end yard, there are many other configurations that you can make with this set.
While it may look similar to V1, V4 is a smaller switching siding as opposed to a passing siding. You can create a drop siding or a station platform area with the original oval. Both V1 and V4 even allow you to use the two turnouts as completely separate stub-ended spurs (bumpers are sold separately, however).
There are more variation options in Kato’s double track line and compact line of Unitrack. The possibilities with Unitrack are almost endless.
Bachmann
Another manufacturer of both N and HO scale train sets is Bachmann. The company offers HO scale train sets with either steel alloy rails with black roadbed or nickel silver rails with gray roadbed. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to pay attention to which kind of track your set came with.
The first in Bachmann’s offering allows you to add elevation to your set. The over-under figure 8 track pack actually includes enough track to just use the set independently, but adding it to your existing oval or circle of track can add even more variety to your set. The same set is available in N scale with nickel silver track.
If you still want a figure 8 to add to your existing loop but don’t care for elevation, this pack may be what you’re looking for. Again, the pack includes enough track to use independently, but add it to existing track for crossover action.
If you own a Bachmann train set and operations are more your focus, a great way to start is with the E-Z Track expander set. This set is available in both steel alloy and nickel silver varieties, so again, be sure to choose the one that matches your existing track. The set includes two turnouts and enough curved and straight track to make six track plans, three of which are passing loops with the other three including two different sidings for industry operations. The track plans aren’t the only way you can use this track, though; you can create your own with all of the track that you have.
Are you ready to dive head-first into model railroading and build your first layout? This track pack has all the track that you need to build a layout designed by the World’s Greatest Hobby. It even includes DVD instructions hosted by actor Michael Gross. The layout features a passing siding and industry with two tracks. If you have the space, you’re free to add as much track to this track plan as you wish. It’s also available in steel-alloy form and even in N Scale to match whatever style of Bachmann E-Z track that you have.
But what if you want to make your own addition?
In his Sketching With Steve article, Steve Otte created his own track plan with Bachmann E-Z track to add on to the Bachmann Rail Chief set. Using a track planning software, he added onto the loop of track in two phases to add operational interest to the layout. He added a few turnouts and spurs to give the layout four industries to switch, an enginehouse, and a depot for passenger operations.
If none of those options strike your fancy, buy some track that matches the track in your set, lay it out on your table, and make your own configuration. The beautiful part of starting with a set and sectional track is that you can change your track plan as much as you want until it’s permanently mounted.
