What would keep you from building a TTRAK module?

[signalmaintainer]

Yeah, but if people who aren't fans of those things don't contribute, then those are all that will be there.

I guess one of my underlying assumptions of mine in this thread is that folks understand the desire to be the change you want to see in the world.

Well, that's a good point, certainly is. Raise the bar, so to speak. But in a way that inspires, of course.

I echo what Dave V. says too.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, that's a good point, certainly is. Raise the bar, so to speak. But in a way that inspires, of course.

I echo what Dave V. says too.

EXACTLY.

It's why I built these, to see how far I could go.

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The answer? Pretty f'ing far.

[Dave V]

Love that Ed.

My mind's already now scheming on a Pennsy electrified loop in TTrak. I kept some of my N scale Pennsy FWIW.

[arbomambo]

Love that Ed.

My mind's already now scheming on a Pennsy electrified loop in TTrak. I kept some of my N scale Pennsy FWIW.

Like theseT-TRAK modules? (Built by Michael Buhrer of Switzerland)

[seusscaboose]

I Give Up.
Damn those are nice.

[C855B]

I realized a third reason T-TRAK is not my cup o' tea - the minimum module. Our club's T-TRAK folks don't go over-the-top on anything, but the assembled layout is still a cluttered mismatch of scenelets. Looking at the pictures presented in this thread... OMG... unintelligible, non-cohesive clutter out the wazoo.

The four-foot module established by N-Trak makes sense. Each module can be effectively viewed as a scene unto itself, and from the observer's standpoint, there is no visual interference from adjacent modules ('cept over-the-top attention getters). One-footers? No, there are always the adjacent modules in your peripheral view.

[John]

I realized a third reason T-TRAK is not my cup o' tea - the minimum module. Our club's T-TRAK folks don't go over-the-top on anything, but the assembled layout is still a cluttered mismatch of scenelets. Looking at the pictures presented in this thread... OMG... unintelligible, non-cohesive clutter out the wazoo.

The four-foot module established by N-Trak makes sense. Each module can be effectively viewed as a scene unto itself, and from the observer's standpoint, there is no visual interference from adjacent modules ('cept over-the-top attention getters). One-footers? No, there are always the adjacent modules in your peripheral view.

A club could fix that - specify that at the interface  it has to be flat, use  a standard ballast to hide the unitrak, etc .. and encourage module builders to make scenes based on some real scene .. that also fits a railroad theme ..

[jargonlet]

A club could fix that - specify that at the interface  it has to be flat, use  a standard ballast to hide the unitrak, etc .. and encourage module builders to make scenes based on some real scene .. that also fits a railroad theme ..

That’s exactly what we did in our club. All had to use the same ground foam on the edges that will tough other modules, the same ballast, and the same sky boards that we painted as a group. We also decided on mid to late 50s in Appalachia and try to make the structures not look so old they would look out of place in the 1970s. We usually have 30’-40’ of modules when we setup. One thing we have done to try to keep the youngsters at bay is to use a pair of tables in the place of 1 so that the layout sits a little back from the edge. We haven’t had many issues with little hands on the layout.

[signalmaintainer]

EXACTLY.

It's why I built these, to see how far I could go.

(Attachment Link)

The answer? Pretty f'ing far.

I'd say so!

[squirrelhunter]

This photo of some modules at the National Train Show posted on MRH stirred up a hornet's nest
https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/2023-national-train-show-day-1-friday-8252023-12722540

Well, here's the front side of that T Trak module pair:


I know the folks that made these, it's a pair of older folks and their grandson, who is maybe about 10-12. He's a nice kid, who does stuff like run his Kato UP E units on whatever freight or passenger cars he wants to run them on the point of.

Probably like most of us at age.

Look, I do T Trak, and I get all the issues- the modules are small, Unitrak is ugly, you can't run a 110 car coal drag.

But Ed's right about the advantages and he kind of missed a key one I think- it gives a manageable project for someone to finish. Building a layout is a daunting task, even for a small one. And if you have never done it before, making a mistake may cost you all your progress (depending on how big it is).

I'd argue T Trak is a way to learn, to experiment, to do something different without changing your whole focus.

As long as your modules are multipes of the standard single in length, you have 2 mains, and the tracks are appropriately situated at the ends, you can do anything you want in between.

[Cajonpassfan]

True, there are some excellent modules out there, but to me, the lack of a cohesive theme and continuity doom the effort in my eyes. One could string the best modules together side by side, and the result would still leave much to be desired. But if others find enjoyment and even camaraderie in their participation, more power to them; this is indeed a big tent. I just don't feel the need to be in every part of it ...
Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

That’s exactly what we did in our club. All had to use the same ground foam on the edges that will tough other modules, the same ballast, and the same sky boards that we painted as a group. We also decided on mid to late 50s in Appalachia and try to make the structures not look so old they would look out of place in the 1970s. We usually have 30’-40’ of modules when we setup. One thing we have done to try to keep the youngsters at bay is to use a pair of tables in the place of 1 so that the layout sits a little back from the edge. We haven’t had many issues with little hands on the layout.

Got pics?

[chuck geiger]

Honestly, this might end up being the motivation for me to build one.

I fundamentally believe people--even non-railfans--respond more to realistic things that look like things they've seen (or might have seen in another era) versus the fantasy stuff or the poorly executed stuff.

Dr. your mission is Tennessee Pass.

[squirrelhunter]

One thing we have done to try to keep the youngsters at bay is to use a pair of tables in the place of 1 so that the layout sits a little back from the edge. We haven’t had many issues with little hands on the layout.

THIS!!! It makes a huge difference to use 2 wide tables- it helps keep equipment that derails on the table, keeps passer-bys from grabbing/knocking off stuff, and gives a little space to take equipment off the layout momentarily.

I kind of assumed every T Trak club is doing the 2x tables now days...

[squirrelhunter]

@AlkemScaleModels has talked about doing a Proto-TTRAK setup at the next MARPM event and I wanted to see what interest there might be around here in contributing to it.

I've started working on adapters to allow us to use better looking track (Atlas 55, ME 55 and 70, etc...) on modules from end to end by allowing the track to use the critical part of TTRAK: Unijoiners. I was curious to see if I'm answering a question that nobody was asking or if I just invented something better than sliced bread.

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This is badly needed- Unitrak is very robust, but isn't the best looking and the #4 turnouts have issues.

Expanding the possibilities of T Trak would benefit greatly from a way to use the Unijoiners without the Unitrak.

Ed, have you done much testing to see if these will hold up to  lots of use?