Kato V50 UNITRAM Quick Start Manual And Manual

Manual and Quick Start Guide

40-800 V50 UNITRAM Basic Track Set

00

Kato

UNITRAM

40-800 V50 UNITRAM Basic Track Set

Easy Expansion
Possibilities

02

UNITRAM‘s Complete Track
System is compatible with
DioTown Structures,
vehicles, and figures.

(sold separately)

01

Table of

Contents

What’s so special about Light Rail Trainsit?

Light Rail Transit (LRT) systems and Street Cars are ideal for urban

settings in which easy access to public transportation is a neces­sity.

Unlike heavier duty metro systems that are usually operated with a
locomotive, or the typical above-or-below ground subway system,
they can be integrated into the existing street pattern of a city
environment, allowing them to provide quick and reliable transit
without overly delaying (or being delayed-by) motor vehicle traffic
or requiring the extensive construction of new infrastructure.

00

Product Features
Table of Contents

01

Packaging Contents

02

Parts Descriptions

03

Track Plates (Track + Road)
Road Plates (City)
Diorama Backdrop

Accessories

(Contents of Accessory Kit)

Assembly Instructions

04

Tram Stop Assembly
How to Install Track

Feeders
Plate Connection Guide 1
Plate Connection Guide 2
Installing Catenary Poles
Installing Traffic Lights

Installing Street Lights
and Fences

Operating Cars on UNITRAM

05

Creating Scenic Layouts

06

Scenic Layout Plan 1
Scenic Layout Plan 2

UNITRACK Compatibility

07

Track Plan 1
Track Plans 2 & 3

08

Troubleshooting

P02

P03

P04

P05

P05

P05

P06

P07

P08

P08

P09

P10

P10

P10

P11

P12

P13

P14

P15

P16

As street-level Light Rail Transit Systems operate alongside stan­dard traffic patterns instead of within them, they can function on
a more predictable and reliable schedule than buses while still
remaining an easy to use, reliable system that can cycle and move
traffic quickly and effectively.

03

02

Packaging

Contents

40-800

V50 UNITRAM Basic Track Set

Items

included

in the

UNITRAM

basic

track set

UNITRAM Track Plates (Track + Road)

2 x Straight Track Plate - 124mm (4 7/8”)
4 x Curved Track Plate with Intersection - R180mm (7”)

UNITRAM Road Plates (Road and Structure Base)

1 x Road Plate - 124mm (4 7/8”)
2 x Center Road Plate with Intersection
2 x Corner Road Plate with Intersection

UNITRAM Accessory Kit

1 x Tram Stop Parts Set, 1 x Sticker Set
2 x Sets of Catenary Pole Bases, 1 x Straight, 2 x Curved Catenary Pole Sets
3 x Fence Detail Sets, 2 x Street Traffic Signal Sets, 2 x Streetlight Sets
1 x Tram Rerailer, 1 x Unijoiner Removal tool
2 x UNITRAM Track Feeders
18 x Tram Joiners (28 total including pre-installed joiners)
20 x Type A Plate Joiners (32 total including pre-installed joiners)
4 x Type B Plate Joiners

Booklets

1 x UNITRAM Manual and Quick Start Guide (this book)

Assembled Dimensions:
496mm x 620mm (19 1/2” x 24 3/8”)

Assembled Dimensions:
186mm x 620mm (7 5/16” x 24 3/8”)

#40-800

V50 UNITRAM Basic Track Set

Scenery

1 x Two-piece cardboard scenery backdrop

If you purchase the V50 UNITRAM Basic Track Set:

To operate trains on the V50
Basic Track Set you will need,
in addition to the V50:

1 x Kato Power Pack
1 x Light Rail Car

To operate trains independently on either the Portram Starter Set or the V50 Basic
Track Set, you will need a total of two Kato Power Packs, one for each Light Rail Car.

#22-014

Kato Power Pack

- Includes AC Adapter

04

4 x Curved Track Plate with Intersection - R180mm (7”)

Plate

Separation

Right Curved Track Plate for
Intersection - #TWR180R

Road Plate Center
piece for Intersection

03

Parts

Descriptions

Track Plates (Track + Road)

2 x Straight Track Plate - 124mm (4 7/8”)

Plate

わかれます

Separation

Road Plate - #S124

Curved Road Plate Interior
for Intersection Assembly

Please note that markings and printing on the actual product may differ from the product

!!

depicted in this manual.

2 x Corner Plate with Intersection

Left Curved Track Plate for
Intersection - #TWR180L

Straight Track Plate - #TWS124

Road Plates

2 x Center Plate with Intersection 1 x Straight Road Plate

Identical to Road Plate S124
Shown above connected to
Straight Track Plate TWS124

1 x Two-piece cardboard scenery backdrop

Background Scenery

05

Accessories (Contents of Accessory Parts Kit)

1 x Tram Stop Sidewalk Base 2 x Tram Pole and Overhang Set

Base (L)

①

Base (R)

②

2 x Catenary Pole Bases

Basic Short Base

④

Long Base A

①

Long Base B

②

Long Base C

③

③

1 x Straight Track Catenary Poles 4 x Curved Track Catenary Poles

Signpost

Overhead Beam

①

④⑤

Fence (L) Fence (R)

②

Poles

Fence (E)

⑥

2 x Tram Stop Roof

Tram Stop Roof

①

Tram Stop Wall

②

3 x Safety Fences 2 x Street Traffic Signals 2 x Streetlights

Crosswalk Signal #1 Crosswalk Signal #2

②

①

③

Rerailer

1 x Sticker Sheet for Tram Stop

①

⑦

Pole

Connector

⑤

Traffic Light #2 (With Street Sign)

2 x UNITRAM Track Feeder 1 x

18 x Tram Joiner

(28Intotalincludingpre-installedjoiners)

②

Traffic Light

③

Base

Traffic

④

Light #1
Traffic

⑥

Light #3

①

②

Unijoiner Removal tool

20 x Plate Joiner A

(32Intotalincludingpre-installedjoiners)

06

4 x Plate Joiner B

Tram Stop

Sticker

Sheet

Fence (R)

⑤

①

④

③

②

⑤

⑫
⑬
⑭

Step

Preparation of the Tram Stop Base

Stickers can be applied to the Tram Stop Base to further detail it as shown.

1

⑬

⑧

⑥

⑦

⑪

Step

Installing Signposts and Fences

2

Fence (E)

⑥

Base (R)

②

Sign Post

③

Base (L)

①

Fence (L)

④

Step

Assembling the Tram Stop Overhang

3

Tram Stop Roof

①

⑩

③

⑨

Sign Post

Base R

②

①

Signpost

Sticker

Placement

Step

5

The outer pavement detail piece can be removed from
the rail bed by removing the screws (2 per side)
from the underside of the track plate as
shown below. You may need to remove
the plate joiner to reach the center
locking peg to push the pavement
up from below.

04

Assembly

Instructions

Tram Stop Assembly

Sample Sticker Layout A

⑦

⑨

⑤

Sample Sticker Layout B

⑫

⑭

Stop Name

Sticker

The Tram Stop Signpost should have two types of stickers affixed - Stop Name
and Advertisement Stickers. Stop Name stickers should go into the recessed
spaces on the sign post instead of the raised sides.

⑦

⑧

The stickers can be arranged on the clear tram stop windows in
any manner you choose - above is an example of one sticker layout
that you can use.

①

②

②

⑧

⑪ ⑩

③

Mounting the Tram Stop to the Track
Base Plate

Stop Name
Sticker

Ad

Sticker

②

②

④

⑨

Track Side

Tram Stop (R)

Overhead Beam

①

②

5 x Poles

Step

Connect the complete Overhang assembly
to the Tram Stop Base

4

Tram Stop Wall

②

The Tram Stop Wall
should be connected
to the Overhang before
mounting the assembly
on the Tram Base

⑥

Important Note about removing parts from sprues and assembly

Parts should be removed from their respective trees with a pair of side cutters or modelers trimmers, and may have
extra flash or sprue residue carefully removed with a hobby knife or sandpaper. “Twisting” parts off of parts trees
may damage or warp the parts and is not recommended.

The Tram Stops are keyed so that
they will only fit on the track plate
in one direction. If they do not seem
to fit, turn them around and orient
them the other way. Do not attempt
to use force.

Tram Stop (L)

Track Plate

07

Tram Track Feeder Installation

The wired feeder plug is meant to transmit electricity from the Power Pack to the rails. it can be
attached to any of the straight track sections or to curved track pieces in the set.

The Tram Feeder clip should slide
into the backside of the track piece,

Tram Feeder

fitting underneath the locking tabs
as shown. Be careful not to break
the tabs on either the feeder or
on the underside of the track.

You will need to install individual
feeders for both of the two tracks
in order to power them. There is
no power shared across the two
different tracks.

Feeder orientation vs. Running Direction

The “forward” and “reverse” directions for the track are dependent on the orientation
of the feeder track. As shown below, “forward” for the trams is exactly opposite to the
direction of the track feeder. This will help you keep drack of the direction of the
electrical current when combining UNITRAM light rail track to UNITRACK.

Track Feeder

Basic Plate Connection 1

Forward Direction

The track and road plates are designed to interlock with each other using three different joiner types
in addition to the standard Unijoiners on the track sections.Once you have installed the feeder tracks
and Tram Stop, prepare a flat space on which to connect the track and road plates together.

Step

1

Step

Connect Track Plates (Track + Road)

A

Ｔ

Ｔ

AA

Step

2

Ｔ

AA

Ｔ

Ｔ

A

1

The Road plates which have track attached to them
can be connected to each other using only the
standard Unijoiners without the use of additional
plate joiners. Optionally, you can use added joiners
to strengthen the connection between plates as
necessary - Refer to P age 9 “Basic Plate Connections
2” for details - Do not throw away any unused
joiners as they will be needed if you with to expand
the base with additional track plates.

Step

Connect the three Road Plates to

2

the track plates as shown.

Use the included extra Track plate joiners to attach
the Road plates to the track plates.

Joiner Types Important Notice

Ｔ: Tram Joiner

Designed to Connect Track Plates to Road Plates

A: Plate Joiner A

Designed to Connect Road Plates together

B: Plate Joiner B

Supplemental plate joiner used to hold road plates together more
firmly.

Tram Joiners and A-type Plate Joiners should be inserted and
removed horizontally from their sockets and should not be bent
vertically.

08

When you lift the connecting plates, remember
that parts can detatch. Always hold them as
securely as possible.

Basic Plate Connection 2

B

Assembling individual Road and Track Plates

A

T

A

A

A

: Tram Joiner

T
A: Plate Joiner A
B: Plate Joiner B

T

T : Tram Joiner Orientation

Up

Road Side

Track Side

Down

T

Plates ~ should be connected

①

③

together first, then the other
plates can be attached to the
combined assembly.

T

①②

T

A

A

A

③

A

T

T

T

This product is designed to let you connect the plates in any way you choose. You
should experiment with the different connection options to create your own layouts.

Disassembly and Storage of Track Plates (Whole Plates and Curve Plates)

Disassembly of Whole Plates

First, take off the road plate section.
Then, lift the road plates connected
to the straight track Plates from the
center as shown to disconnect them.

Disassembly of Curved

Track Plates

Remove road plate as shown.

Storage Tips

This product is very precisely
engineered and delicate. When
disassembling the set, care should
be taken not to break any detail
parts. It is recommended to
take apart as few sections as
possible when breaking the set
down for storage.

The Track and Road plates can be
stored in the original box. Tram
Stops and fences should not be
removed once they are attached
to the track.

Rotate the rail section on a straight
track section as shown to discconect
it from the adjoining tracks.

Disconnect the track sections
from the intersection by
bending the tracks as shown.

09

Installing Catenary Poles

Long Base C

③

Straight

Track

Mounting holes for Catenary Base

Inside of Curve

Outside of Curve

The curved track catenaries
are not symmetrical; note
which sides are meant to be
on the inside and outside of
the curve.

Basic Short Base

④

The Different Types of Catenary Bases

Curved

Track

Installing Traffic Lights

[Long Base A]

[Long Base B]

[Long Base C]

Used for mounting a catenary on a middle section of multiple straight tracks.

Used for mounting a catenary on the end sections of multiple straight tracks.

Used for mounting a catenary on a stand alone straight track.

In the sample setups below, Base C is used.

Catenary bases with rounded ends should be used when adjacent to curved track sections.

TrafficLight#2

⑤

(WithTurnSignalandStreetSign)

TrafficLight#3

⑥

(WithTurnSignal)

Sticker

①

Crosswalk Signal #1

Pole

⑦

Connector

Traffic Light Base

③

⑦

Pole
Connector

Crosswalk Signal #2

②

(TrafficLightBase)

TrafficLight#1

④

The different Traffic Light
and base pole assemblies
can be interchanged to
create varied Traffic lights
for intersections.

Installing Streetlights and Fences

Single Streetlight

①

or

Double Streetlight

②

Optional detail slot

Fence Fence

These are just basic examples of how to set up the various lights and fences. The mounting pegs are identical
between the different traffic and street lights, allowing you to mix and match them in any way you choose.

* This slot is meant for mounting optional detail parts, such as #23-215 Utility Pole Set (sold separately)

10

*

①③

Crosswalk Signal

TrafficLight

①

Fence

①

Single Streetlight

①

*

05

Operating Cars

on UNITRAM

Hooking up the Power Pack

Insert the black power cable from the AC Adapter

Step

into the Power Pack and plug the Adapter into the

1

wall outlet. The Power light will turn on.

DC Feeder

Connector Plug

Step

Set the speed control lever to “stop” and set the
directional lever to “brake”

2

Reset Switch

AC Adapter Cord

Setting up Multiple Power Packs for individual Track Control

Power Pack B

Feeder Cable

Power Pack A

Feeder Cable

Using the Rerailer

Place the rerailer on any straight section of
track, locking it down over the rails. Place
the car on the center of the rails and slide it
down onto the tracks - the rerailer will make
sure that the wheel flanges align properly on
the rails.

Step

Connect the white feeder cable connecter to
the white DC output plug on the Power Pack.

3

UNITRAM is set up to be used as a double track system.
Prepare the two Power Packs as shown above and hook

them up to the feeders for their respective tracks. By
connecting two feeder cables to two separate Power
Packs, Power Pack A and Power Pack B can control their
respective tracks and Light Rail Cars independently from
one another.

You should not connect more than one Power Pack to
a single track, as it may cause damage to your Cars or
short circuit the power system.

Operating the Kato Power Pack

Power Light

Illuminates when power

Directional

①

NOTE: “forward” and “reverse” are
related to the direction of track power
and may not coincide with the physical
“forward” and “reverse” ends of your
train.

Lever

is on

②

①

Speed Control Lever

②

Step

1

Step

2

Place a Light Rail Car on the track,
set the Directional Control lever to
“forward” or “reverse” and turn
the Speed Control Lever to supply
power to the car.

The more you turn the Speed Control
Lever towards “Full”, the faster
that it will run. Be careful when
running cars at higher speeds.

11

06

Creating

Scenic Layouts

You can use different buildings

to create different scenery setups for your UNITRAM layout - whether you want
to make a dense urban setting with tall, modern buildings, or a more suburban
town with the use of trees and smaller, residential buildings.

Diorama

Plan

1

Scenic Layout Plan 1

⑦

⑬⑬

①

②

②②

③

⑬⑬ ⑬ ⑬ ⑬ ⑬

⑥

⑤

④

Additional Item List

Front-of-station facility set

23-417

①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
⑧
⑨
⑩
⑪
⑫
⑬
⑭
⑮

Park and parking Lot set

23-418

Gilbert’s Gardens Apartments

23-402A

Roselle Road House

23-403B

909 Jefferson Street

23-404A

23-405B

3651 N. Sheffield Ave

23-406

Mama’s Seafood Restaurant

23-505

90’s Toyota Car Set

24-207

Walking Passengers figure set

24-209

Elementary School figure set

24-212

Passers-by figure set

24-231

Park Visitors figure set

24-076

Street-Tree set (8 pcs)

23-419

Street Sign set

23-421

Dio-Town Accessory set

~ are optional additional accessories

⑧

⑮

to enhance the realism of your layout.

12

Diorama

Plan

2

Scenic Layout Plan 2

⑧

①

①

⑪

22

①

②②

③④⑦

①

2222

⑥⑤⑨①

①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑦
⑧
⑨
⑩
⑪
⑫

23-417

23-418

Park and Parking Lot set
Office Building 1 (Brick)

23-431A

Office Building 1 (Green)

23-431B

Shopping Building 1 (Blue)

23-433A

23-433B

Shopping Building 1 (Ivory)

23-434A

Office Building 2 (Gray)

23-434B

Office Building 2 (Beige)

23-435B

Business Building 2 (Gray) Policemen figure set
Local Bank Building

23-458

23-500

Toyota Automobiles
90’s Toyota Car set

23-505

23-506

⑬
⑭

24-204

24-207

⑮
⑯

24-208

24-209

⑰
⑱

24-210

24-211

⑲
⑳

24-212

21

24-232

22

23-216

23

23-421

23

~ are optional additional accessories

⑪

to enhance the realism of your layout.

Front-of-station facility set

Additional Item List

City Buses
Standing Passenger figure set
Seated Passenger figure set
Walking Passenger figure set
Elementary School figure set
Student figure set
Young People figure set
Passers-by figure set

Bus and Taxi Stops
Dio Town Accessory Set

13

07

Unitrack

Compatibility

Compatibility between UNITRAM and UNITRACK

Single and double track UNITRACK can be used to expand and diversify your
UNITRAM layout.

Plan

Individual UNITRACK Items

＋

1

Easy to assemble decorative layouts can be built
without the use of glue or paint.

Additional Item List

1x 20-000

1x 20-020

1x 20-040

1x 20-048

1x 20-100

1x 20-170

4x 20-220

1x 22-014

1x 23-300

1x 24-816

4x 24-840

4 feet x 1 feet

248mm (9 3/4") Straight Track [4 pcs]
124mm (4 7/8") Straight Track [4 pcs]
62mm (2 7/16") Straight Track [4 pcs]

50.5mm (2") Bumper Type C [2 pcs]
249mm (9 3/4") Radius 45º Curve Track [4 pcs]
216mm (8 9/16") Radius 45º Curve Track [4 pcs]

#4 Left Turnout with 481mm (19") Radius Curve
Kato Power Pack

Long Engine House Kit
Insulated Unijoiners [20 pcs]
Turnout Control Switch

(1302mm x 510mm)

ＴＷＲ180Ｌ

You may need 2 x Power Packs if you have purchased the V50 instead

of the UNITRAM Starter Set which already includes a Power Pack

Ｓ248

Ｓ124

Ｓ62

Ｓ50Ｂ-Ｃ

R249-45

R216-45

ＥＰ481-15Ｌ

ＴＷＳ124ＴＷＳ124

Ｓ124
Ｓ124

20-000

●

20-020

●

20-040

●

20-048

●

A Long Engine House can function as a

Tram Base for storage of additional cars.

Buildings and

structures are an

easy and effective way

to create scenery for your

railroad. you can store multiple

Light Rail Cars in an optional Long

Engine House (#23-300) building, switching
them in and out of service as you run your
trains.

Ｓ248
Ｓ248

Ｔ

ＷＲ18

0

Ｒ

20-100

●

20-170

●

20-220

ＴＷＲ

180Ｒ

ＴＷＲ180Ｌ

R

2

1

6

-

4

5

R

2

4

9

-

4

5

Ｓ124

ＥＰ

ＥＰ481-15Ｌ 

Connecting UNITRACK to UNITRAM

UNITRAM has different track spacing on straight and
curved sections. Single track sections of UNITRACK
can be linked to UNITRAM on straights. Double track
can be linked to UNITRAM on curves.

Straight UNITRAM : 25mm Track Spacing
Curved UNITRAM : 33mm Track Spacing

33

5Ｌ

481-1

Straight UNITRAM to

Straight UNITRACK

ｍｍ

64

Ｓ

Ｓ62

Ｓ64

Ｒ481-15

24-816 Insulated Joiner

ＥＰ481-15ＬＥＰ481-15Ｌ

電車庫

Ｓ64

Ｓ64

Ｓ248

Ｓ248Ｓ62

Curved UNITRAM to

Single UNITRACK curves

Ｓ64

Ｓ64

Ｓ50Ｂ-

Ｃ

Ｓ50Ｂ-Ｃ

5

4

-

6

1

2

R

Double UNITRACK curves

5

4

-

9

4

2

R

Curved UNITRAM to

ＴＷＲ180Ｌ

0Ｒ

18

ＴＷＲ

ｍｍ

25

14

Plan

2

Double Track

40-800-1・40-900-1

＋

Inner Loop Set

20-873-1

●

Enjoy operating trains on a long, winding layout.

Additional Item List

20-873-1

22-014

Layout Dimensions

5 feet x 5 feet

(1562mm x 1717mm)

V14 Double Track Inner Loop Set
Kato Power Pack

One of the main features of Kato
UNITRACK’s modern, concrete tie
double track is it’s banked (super­elevated) curves.

Plan

3

40-800-1・40-900-1

Make a siding for switching cars.

＋

Additional Item List

20-862-1

22-014

V3 Rail Yard Switching Set
Kato Power Pack

Rail Yard
Switching Set

20-862-1

●

Layout Dimensions

3 feet x 2 feet

(1178mm x 682mm)

15

08

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing problems with your track, consult the following
checklist to see if it helps solve your issue.

is the plug properly plugged into the transformer and
into the wall outlet?

YES

Is the pilot lamp of the power pack lit?

YES

Is the feeder wire properly inserted both into the
underside of the track and into the Power Pack?

YES

Are the track sections coupled securely?

YES

Re-insert the plug into the wall outlet and into the

NO

terminal on the rear of the Power Pack.

There may be a short circuit on the track. Clear the
tracks of trains and push the reset button on the rear

NO

of the Power Pack.

Insert the connector into the power pack and the

NO

feeder properly into the bottom side of the track.

Check and make sure that all of the track connectors

NO

are properly fastened and not misaligned.

Is your track clean?

YES

Double check again. Just in case.

NO

Y ou should regularly clean your tracks by using a cotton
swab or cloth soaked with track cleaning solution or a
low-concentration (nothing above 90%) rubbing
alcohol. After cleaning the tracks, wipe them down
with a dry cloth to ensure there is no leftover residue.

NO

KATO USA

Kato USA, Inc. 100 Remington Road Schaumburg, IL 60173

www.katousa.com
www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/