TheRailwire
General Discussion => N and Z Scales => Topic started by: Lackawannae8 on December 03, 2024, 11:09:00 PM
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Next July or August a bunch of us are planning to do a MASSIVE T TRAK take over at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum (Strasburg) for the model Railroad days for A weekend. this past summer a few of us converged and did a small 6 table trial day there and it was awesome. my goal for next summer is to secure enough modules to allow us to encapsulate a Row of engines on the museum floor in a closed rectangle shape and see what kind of world record we can break? so I am expanding my generosity of an invite to anyone who has a N scale T TRAK module in good working order.
I am hoping to make this goal happen without any kind of pushback from the directors even though I put the bug in their ear this past season they would like to have us back and hopefully this large of a setup so we shall see.
this would be a great time and I'm really hoping a dream comes to fruition.
Once again this is still all in the planning stages and I am going to push as hard as possible to make it happen Date and Further info is TBA.
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Hey, whaddaya know? I’ve got one of these that I started years ago. Looks like I got as far as wiring and even painting the concrete ties. Then, the project stalled without any progress on scenery. Oh, well. Originally, the plan was downtown Ashland, Virginia, with street running RF&P-style. Eh, now it screams clean slate!
(https://i.imgur.com/KnoL35H.jpg)
Strasburg is only 45 minutes from home. Hmm, next summer almost gives me enough time to make something of this module. 🤔
DFF
EDIT: I figured it out. Needs moar kudzu!
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I'm in. I'll fill up the Shark and fill up a table or two myself.
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What size are we talking about so we can have an idea on how many modules can be accepted? I'm sure my club will be interested. We have a meeting next Friday. I'll bring it up. I will definitely try to make it.
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Once the date is pinned down, I'll be able to secure the necessary hall pass.
It's been a few years since I've been to Strasburg... sounds like a fun opportunity, and a good deadline to work toward for my next set of modules.
Is this a one-day or full weekend event? I'll probably want to consider lodgings if the latter.
Lee
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Hey, whaddaya know? I’ve got one of these that I started years ago. Looks like I got as far as wiring and even painting the concrete ties. Then, the project stalled without any progress on scenery. Oh, well. Originally, the plan was downtown Ashland, Virginia, with street running RF&P-style. Eh, now it screams clean slate!
(https://i.imgur.com/KnoL35H.jpg)
Strasburg is only 45 minutes from home. Hmm, next summer almost gives me enough time to make something of this module. 🤔
DFF
EDIT: I figured it out. Needs moar kudzu!
It may need more kudzu (DFF_ Kudzu Master) but I"d love to see Ashland done in TTrak. Its aone of my favorite Virtual Railfan locations.
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Don't underestimate the ability of anything operated by the state to find a reason not to do something. While RRMPA has been pretty darn flexible compared to a lot of places, don't put the cart in front of the horse until you clear a concept with them, and find out what you're going to have to PAY THEM, as most museums look at events as an opportunity to fund operations rather than just increase foot traffic attendance.
Not that it can't be done. I know that Dave Ferrarri's pickup Ttrak module collection has been great fun and I've participated with 14 12" units (6 physical modules) now for several years at Altoona. He's done a great job organizing and planning it, it's considered a feature at the annual Altoona show, but the vendors and the attendees pay the freight to rent the space. It's taken years to grow that show from Mike Phillips basketball building in Bedford to devouring the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, now done by the Altoona Area Model Railroaders.
Having been to the museum a lot of times, my first reaction for a T-trak show is both lighting and power and where to put it. Some parts of the museum are relatively dark and backlit and you need more power outlets than you think.
I'd come to Strasburg if this works out. It's a great place to go.
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Everyone this is still coming full circle but want to get the piston moving now than later. size, date, spot etc etc all still in the TBA Stage just gauging interest here I do have a few ALL STAR players on board with me on getting this to come full circle so remain patient until its really time to get this going and rally the troops.
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World record?
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Hey, whaddaya know? I’ve got one of these that I started years ago. Looks like I got as far as wiring and even painting the concrete ties. Then, the project stalled without any progress on scenery. Oh, well. Originally, the plan was downtown Ashland, Virginia, with street running RF&P-style. Eh, now it screams clean slate!
(https://i.imgur.com/KnoL35H.jpg)
Strasburg is only 45 minutes from home. Hmm, next summer almost gives me enough time to make something of this module. 🤔
DFF
EDIT: I figured it out. Needs moar kudzu!
Aw damn, Foxxy! You can take the man out of N scale, but you can't take the N scale out of the man. Ask me how I know!
And on Strasburg, I remember very fondly when you and Ed came up and we took what was my father's last ride on the Strasburg, and Ed negotiated the caboose. That was an excellent day.
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Aw damn, Foxxy! You can take the man out of N scale, but you can't take the N scale out of the man. Ask me how I know!
And on Strasburg, I remember very fondly when you and Ed came up and we took what was my father's last ride on the Strasburg, and Ed negotiated the caboose. That was an excellent day.
[THREAD DRIFT ALERT!]
@Dave V:
I remember that day well. Good times!
(https://i.imgur.com/aSNGNTV.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mNOTwAO.jpg)
DFF
[/THREAD DRIFT ALERT!]
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Yeah, with my folks living down in Tampa now (and having been beaten down by hurricanes these past two years) and my father's deteriorating condition, they can't travel anymore. Sadly, they'll be missing Jacob's graduation next week from Colorado School of Mines.
Glad we were able to give my old man a memorable trip on "his" railroad right before they moved from Lancaster. Thanks for helping make that happen, @davefoxx and @Ed Kapuscinski !
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Aw damn, Foxxy! You can take the man out of N scale, but you can't take the N scale out of the man. Ask me how I know!
Emergency room visit? :ashat:
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World record?
Maybe.... depends what we can pull off. is there even a standing T TRAk module record?
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Maybe.... depends what we can pull off. is there even a standing T TRAk module record?
I think @arbomambo was involved in the previous one.
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https://nationalt-traklayout.com/
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Emergency room visit? :ashat:
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
Never thought to look for N scale deals in the hospital a$$ box...
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I’m game depending on the date. We usually visit the in-laws in Lancaster/Lebanon in mid August. They’re used to me disappearing to do train stuff!
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I'll be there
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On Bruce's connection page:
The 2018 layout, in Kansas City, occupied an area 70'x50' and consisted of 340 separate modules of various lengths, arranged to provide an outside continuous run, across every module, of 28.4 N scale miles.
I'm not sure what we pulled off at Altoona this year in the combined Ttrak layout, but it wasn't that big. Overall was 40x24 with three major legs.
RRMPA's building is 615 feet long end to end.
I think it's a great idea, but don't base it on some kind of record, it will hold it's own.
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Are the following alowed:
Godzilla
King Kong
Aliens..........
:trollface:
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Don't forget Star Wars! :trollface:
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Also Bigfoot, and a herd of wild Rainier beer.
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[Newb Warning]
If what you wanted to do with a set of modules required 18” IN FRONT of the tracks instead of behind? Is there a way to do that with T-Trak? I have a great idea for a module but it would be unorthodox, just like me.
[/Newb Warning]
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[Newb Warning]
If what you wanted to do with a set of modules required 18” IN FRONT of the tracks instead of behind? Is there a way to do that with T-Trak? I have a great idea for a module but it would be unorthodox, just like me.
[/Newb Warning]
Of course that’s allowed… the layout manager/coordinator just needs to know about it so he/they can provide or allow a table, or table space to support the 18” in front. The most critical thing about T-TRAK is that the module be able to connect to the adjacent modules, both physically and electrically (track spacing, 1mm overhang, and module’s ability to be adjusted in height, BWWB wiring standard).
Apart from those criteria, the sky is pretty much the limit.
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Do we want to do a Railwire T-TRAK module challenge?
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Animation... you gotta have the guy on the bicycle riding through the module...
It may need more kudzu (DFF_ Kudzu Master) but I"d love to see Ashland done in TTrak. Its aone of my favorite Virtual Railfan locations.
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Denise and I would love to visit and participate in a T-TRAK event there (I’ve been threatening to take her on a trip to Lancaster County to see that beautiful part of our country), but I fear that so many other model railroad obligations will prevent us from doing so at that time… N Scale Enthusiast convention in Kansas City in June, regional Tallahassee, FL show also in June (we operate a fairly large T-TRAK layout at this annual regional show-usually 150+ modules of all sizes), NMRA National Convention in July/August, not including personal trips!
We’re also heavily invested in organizing and planning the Chattanooga 2026 NMRA Convention National Train Show’s version of The National T-TRAK Layout, which will break the current world record for a T-TRAK layout, which we previously set at the National Train Show in Kansas City in 2018.
Currently, over 1-1/2 years away, we already have over 90 actual registered participants, with over 500 modules (of ALL sizes-including triples and quads), amounting to over 1000 single-equivalent modules! And we have room for double that figure! The NMRA has generously given us 10,000 sq ft of their National Train Show space in the Chattanooga Convention Center exhibit hall, in order to break the current record.
At a bare minimum, the layout will require over 160 8’ tables (with space to grow to over 200), require over 600’ of 12-16 gauge T-TRAK standard bus cable, at least 300-400’ of loconet cable, and, currently, according to estimates from the planning committee, 16-20 individual DB210 boosters with corresponding PM42/PM74 power managers, and Loconet repeaters (LNRPs)… not to mention the power supplies, electrical cords, Command Station, wireless routers, JMRI-equipped laptop with large screen monitors, etc.!
It will be quite an event for all participants-plenty of freebies for all participants, in addition to numerous module contests with incredible prizes, and an official awards breakfast on Sunday morning, sponsored by our good friends at ScaleTrains.
It’s a daunting task to organize an event like this but it’s all worthwhile to bring T-TRAKers from all over the country (and the world!) together in fellowship and fun.
Not every layout has to be a record breaker and we’re fortunate, here in our Southeast region, to come together and participate in T-TRAK setups in Florida, Alabama, and Middle Georgia, at at least 8-10 times a year, some setups just to conduct operations.
If there’s a possibility to have a T-TRAK layout at that museum, we’d definitely consider making the trip, otherwise we’d try to make it up to Altoona at least once, just to experience N Scale weekend there!
If it doesn’t come together, I would ask everyone to consider registering for Chattanooga 2026, before it’s too late and a waiting list is in effect (a distinct probability)
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We’re also heavily invested in organizing and planning the Chattanooga 2026 NMRA Convention National Train Show’s version of The National T-TRAK Layout, which will break the current world record for a T-TRAK layout, which we previously set at the National Train Show in Kansas City in 2018.
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If it doesn’t come together, I would ask everyone to consider registering for Chattanooga 2026, before it’s too late and a waiting list is in effect (a distinct probability)
I will be in Chattanooga even if I have to hitchhike! Already registered! :D
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Are the following alowed:
Godzilla
King Kong
Aliens..........
:trollface:
whatever your little weird heart desires
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Do we want to do a Railwire T-TRAK module challenge?
If it gets the creative juices going. Sure. Also a good way to get people to ping ideas off to each other.