MA & PA Do TTRAK

[DKS]

So, I take it you found a tender?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So, I take it you found a tender?

Yep. @Lemosteam found one. But given my luck, I'm still looking for a spare.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Great move Edd. I'm with Dave and move to Peco code 55 with Kato track at the ends.
Sounds like a neat project and I can see the juices flowing from way down here.
I made several T Track modules when they first came out way back when Lee Fitzgerald started her push with them.
I had some of the Melb N Track club members children do the scenery on several that I made and Lee was kind enough to send the boys certificates.
I believe and will stand corrected there are well over 300 T Trak modules here in Aussie now.
have fun.
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One of my corner modules all now sold.
Rod.

[PiperguyUMD]

... a complete absence of on-line shippers!

LMAO!

[Point353]

Awesome! You know, you can always get in on the fun yourself. The modules are stupidly easy and cheap to build.

He already dismissed the "clip together roundy roundy ethos" when it was previously suggested.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586025#msg586025
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586027#msg586027
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586031#msg586031
But keep trying. Maybe you'll wear him down.

First, N-Trak is no good because it has three main tracks.
Then, T-Trak is no good because it has two main tracks.

Someone should develop a new modular standard called No-Trak for modeling defunct railroads. 
No tracks. Just scenery with whatever traces of the abandoned roadbed might remain.

[Dave V]

Someone should develop a new modular standard called No-Trak for modeling defunct railroads. 
No tracks. Just scenery with whatever traces of the abandoned roadbed might remain.

Then you could model the modern-day Western Maryland.   

[wm3798]

Already did...


Heh.  You thought you were going to ruffle me feathers!

Lee

[wm3798]

He already dismissed the "clip together roundy roundy ethos" when it was previously suggested.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586025#msg586025
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586027#msg586027
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33399.msg586031#msg586031
But keep trying. Maybe you'll wear him down.

First, N-Trak is no good because it has three main tracks.
Then, T-Trak is no good because it has two main tracks.

Someone should develop a new modular standard called No-Trak for modeling defunct railroads. 
No tracks. Just scenery with whatever traces of the abandoned roadbed might remain.

The main issue I have with modular groups is that there just isn't one I can participate in regularly.  I do enjoy running on a big layout when the opportunity presents itself, but at the end of the day, it's a big roundy round, you follow your train for a while, then you park it.  Ttrak is more compact, certainly, but without the participation of a group, it's a photo diorama 99% of the time in my world. 

Ttrak makes more sense when a few are gathered in N scale's name when a quick layout can be assembled on the kitchen table, and I'm totally digging what Ed's thesis is pointed toward.  I could probably afford the space to store 12" x 24" that displays some M&P love that I can enjoy over a glass of bourbon at Ed's house...  Clearly, the erosion of my will has begun in earnest!

I'm thinking of calling dibs on Woodbrook or Fallston... but I don't want to raise expectations...  (BTW, @Ed Kapuscinski , the Fallston station still stands, and at one time housed a local hobby store...)

Lee

[Point353]

The main issue I have with modular groups is that there just isn't one I can participate in regularly.  I do enjoy running on a big layout when the opportunity presents itself, but at the end of the day, it's a big roundy round, you follow your train for a while, then you park it.  Ttrak is more compact, certainly, but without the participation of a group, it's a photo diorama 99% of the time in my world. 

Ttrak makes more sense when a few are gathered in N scale's name when a quick layout can be assembled on the kitchen table, and I'm totally digging what Ed's thesis is pointed toward.  I could probably afford the space to store 12" x 24" that displays some M&P love that I can enjoy over a glass of bourbon at Ed's house...  Clearly, the erosion of my will has begun in earnest!

I'm thinking of calling dibs on Woodbrook or Fallston... but I don't want to raise expectations...

You don't necessarily have to participate in a modular group.
Operation doesn't have to be "roundy round".

You could have one module with a timesaver sort of switching arrangement, or a layout design element that represents a specific site along your favorite prototype - Woodbrook or Fallston, or wherever.
Then have balloon track modules at either end.
For example, end modules with siding and yard tracks (see link) can serve as staging tracks for the switching or LDE module(s).
http://ttrak.wikidot.com/balloon-tracks-turnaround-loops

The modular concept is only as limiting as you make it out to be.
Again, if you'd rather live with no layout at all - since you can't have one that meets all of your ideals - then that's up to you.

[arbomambo]

The Record breaking T-TRAK  layout, at the 2018 NMRA National Train Show, in Kansas City, occupied a space roughly 50'x70', and consisted of over 340 individual modules (if counted as 'singles', approximately 738!).
The outer main, which was designed to run through every single module, was over 28 scale miles long! There were modules of every type, from incredibly modeled proto scenes, to fanciful whimsy...from pros to novices...young teens to octogenarians.
2, out of the 3 module contest winners, voted on by the NMRA convention goers, out of EVERY modular layout participating in the National Train Show (There were MANY-in every scale!), were T-TRAK modules participating in this layout.

[arbomambo]

[Philip H]

Stupid, Easy and Cheap!  You've got my number!

TWSS!

Now that it looks like we are going back to work (!) I may have to move my burgeoning supply of TTrak starter back north and see if I can Talk Ed out of a module frame to work on . . . .

[jpec]

How will you account for the double track TTrak thing... and the Unitrak that follows actual geometry (as opposed to the M&P that follows only geography?)

Looking forward to your treatment of various Charles Mahon photos...

Lee

There are single track variants of T-Trak...plus Ed's Law.  I was at the party where oNeTRAK was introduced...where the display got set on fire...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

TWSS!

Now that it looks like we are going back to work (!) I may have to move my burgeoning supply of TTrak starter back north and see if I can Talk Ed out of a module frame to work on . . . .

Excellent!

[wm3798]

Suddenly this project piques my interest.
Today I took delivery of a Unitrak plate girder bridge, with the idea of helping to flesh out Ed's M&P with this scene:





Sadly the #8 car line will get short shrift, but it will be well represented with an old PCC car I've got laying around in one of the bins.  A second module will be adjacent to complete the scene with the Towson depot.



Working out the track geometry next.

Lee