Ntrak specs, and the deliberate ignoring of them.

[lashedup]

Interesting. What's the reasoning behind building them in 5' lengths? Also, do the two tracks have any sort of color designation?

The track wiring has color designations, but we don't refer to the tracks themselves by color.

The thinking behind the 5' length is to make them easy to transport in a car with fold down seats (usually two side by side will fit). The five foot lengths also make the math easier when you're trying to figure out a layout scheme where the layout has to make a loop of some kind.

The 18" width is the preferred standard for most modules. However there are exceptions. Bill Denton's New Lisbon modules were originally NTRAK modules that were adopted to fit. Likewise Keith Kohlman has a Chicago Northwestern Lakefront station module set that is more freeform and larger. The Western Avenue yard we plan to build will expand out to 24" modules to allow for more tracks. So there is some flexibility. You just have to think it through a bit so when the time comes to set up the layout for a show, everything will match up properly.

- jamie

[coosvalley]

What happened to oNetrak? Or is it basically the same as braNchtrak?

[John]

I think what this - and other threads like it have shown .. there is a need for a more modern version of NTRAK

[Sokramiketes]

Also Baltic Birch plywood comes in 5'x5' sheets normally.

The track wiring has color designations, but we don't refer to the tracks themselves by color.

The thinking behind the 5' length is to make them easy to transport in a car with fold down seats (usually two side by side will fit). The five foot lengths also make the math easier when you're trying to figure out a layout scheme where the layout has to make a loop of some kind.

The 18" width is the preferred standard for most modules. However there are exceptions. Bill Denton's New Lisbon modules were originally NTRAK modules that were adopted to fit. Likewise Keith Kohlman has a Chicago Northwestern Lakefront station module set that is more freeform and larger. The Western Avenue yard we plan to build will expand out to 24" modules to allow for more tracks. So there is some flexibility. You just have to think it through a bit so when the time comes to set up the layout for a show, everything will match up properly.

- jamie

[Hiroe]

Also Baltic Birch plywood comes in 5'x5' sheets normally.

Hah! The secret is at last revealed.

The 18" width is the preferred standard for most modules. However there are exceptions. Bill Denton's New Lisbon modules were originally NTRAK modules that were adopted to fit.

I think what this - and other threads like it have shown .. there is a need for a more modern version of NTRAK

I'm rapidly reaching the point where I'm going to be all-in on a new set of standards that others would be welcome to adopt. As I'm modeling the corridor, a 4-track mainline is accurate for the locations I plan to represent. 18" deep, variable length in whole feet, c55 on all mains, spaced at 1.25 inches, 3" straight joiner tracks. Suggestions to name this standard are welcome.

[Blazeman]

Suggestions to name this standard are welcome.

Since it's the Northeast Corridor.....

Nectrak

[inkaneer]

I think what this - and other threads like it have shown .. there is a need for a more modern version of NTRAK

That is already happening.  It is called "Ntrak 2000".  That is to distinguish it from "Ntrak Classic".  The difference is "Ntrak 2000 is DCC and Onetrak with emphasis on operations while "Ntrak Classic" is analog DC and trditional Ntrak modules.  I don't know if "Ntrak 2000" has come up with a standard module design yet.  Unlike other deviations from the traditional Ntrak standards this will, in time, be a complete cleaving of Ntrak.

[Hiroe]

Since it's the Northeast Corridor.....

Nectrak

Sounds like something involving the dead.

[Matt Noel]

The club that I am involved in did a brains storm one night and we came up with a 2 track idea.  We had mostly a 4 track design for our modules and thought a 2 track that branched off on a T module and return back on a return loop would be a pretty cool idea.  So we began.  The modules we made are 17 inches wide and are either 4 or 6 foot long.  We still use code 80, it has it advantages and disadvantages, if you dress it up with painting and weathering it looks OK.  The one thing I like and do between my modules is use Kato expansion track.  I end my modules with Kato Transfer track from Atlas to Kato.  I plug in expansion track between them.  The only thing is that the modules must be level, but they should be level any way.  Yes the expansion track is noticeable, but it works if done right, and reliability is key to me.  I plan on posting in more detail about how I do all this when I get a chance.  I have to say, I am glad my club went to 2 track, it's a nice change of pace.  The Desert modules that I do would have looked stupid in a 4 track design.  It has helped keep me interested in N Trak by deviating from it.  Up to this point we have had enough members build 2 trackers that we have done whole shows with just 2 track modules.  They are a lot lighter and smaller to transport:) 

[Nato]

          Wanting to change the standards and doing it is really nothing new. Twenty years ago the Utah N Rail Modelers (an N Quack) Trak club changed their standards. Code 55 track for main lines (there was only ME Track then) a two track main line like we usually saw out West in our area,a height change of the modules to almost eye level,no more helocopter views. Several nicely done old N Trak club modules were grandfathered in and 55 to 80 joiner sections built. There were some flaws, the layout became more sectional with various parts always having to be in the same location. The current Wasatch N Scale modular group that suceeded UNR took the standards and ,modified them. Still all track is code 55 but the module ends have to be in the same location so the layout became modular again,different sections can be used for layout size and flexibility,end loops are used most of the time so the two tracks become one out and back on the other design.We also have a double sided corner with a scene divider down the center that can be used inside or outside depending on set up requirements. My feeling is "Go For It !" Don't look back. Change is good and we can't be stuck in a how it was time warp forever. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[Hiroe]

Well, all my old 4' modules have been stripped of their switches, motors, and electrical gear; and set out for trash. Picked up three sheets of 3mm birch-veneer luan; had them rip one into 4" strips, one into 18" strips, and left the last one intact. Waffle photos as soon as I can find my router bits and clean up some edges.

[highway70]

*

         Wanting to change the standards and doing it is really nothing new.

Anyone else remember INTERAIL. They voluntered to come up with new NTRAK standards around 1980.  Because their proposal was too radical a change, it was rejected. I considered both NTRAK and INTERAIL sdandards and decided to go with NTRAK.  My first module was 18' long (in three 6' sections). It was one of the first multi-section modules. Some at that time thought it deviated from the standard.  It was in the NTRAK layout at the '81 NMRA National Convention. 

[Nato]

       Ah yes "Interrail",I never was sure if they were connected with the Interrail Intermodal car kit maker.They had a layout at the Eugene, Oregon National NMRA Show the old (defunct) Utah N Rail Modelers group attended. Yes it was an interesting idea,but the track snaked all over the place on their display layout and if I recall correctly there was no inside layout space,it was mostly like a big rectangle with a part snaking off of it. No one was ready for radical standards changes back then in the 1980's.Nate Goodman(Nato).

[Hiroe]

Didn't someone try that Interrail concept again in 1998 or so, and get soundly stomped on for his attempt?

[highway70]

      Ah yes "Interrail",I never was sure if they were connected with the Interrail Intermodal car kit maker.They had a layout at the Eugene, Oregon National NMRA Show the old (defunct) Utah N Rail Modelers group attended. Yes it was an interesting idea,but the track snaked all over the place on their display layout and if I recall correctly there was no inside layout space,it was mostly like a big rectangle with a part snaking off of it. No one was ready for radical standards changes back then in the 1980's.Ntae Goodman(Nato).

Yes, they were the same people that marketed the intermodal car. I bought two (wish I had more).  Paul Ingram and Virginia Wilken were the main pushers of Interail.  They were talented model railroaders from the San Francisco Bay area and had a small following there.

I talked with Jim FitzGerald about their ideas.  He was not against NTRAK evolving, but he didn't want a revolution that made existing modules obsolete. Their ideas pushed the envelope too much.