What would keep you from building a TTRAK module?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Agreed! I saw that Prince model in Altoona. I was really impressed!

The rest of the layout looks fantastic. I love what you're doing with it.

[basementcalling]

What's the largest practical limit for size of a TTrak corner module that could take advantage of larger radius Kato curves, or even use flex track curved between UniTrak end pieces?

What are the Ttrak experts thoughts?

[arbomambo]

Many T-TRAKers (myself included) have built and are building corners, endcaps, and junctiions using Kato doubletrack superelevated large radius curves of 18 7/8" - 17 5/8.
These are accepted and encouraged and can be found in the T-TRAK tips and techniques section, under ‘publications’ at the NRail website www.nrail.org

[basementcalling]

Many T-TRAKers (myself included) have built and are building corners, endcaps, and junctiions using Kato doubletrack superelevated large radius curves of 18 7/8" - 17 5/8.
These are accepted and encouraged and can be found in the T-TRAK tips and techniques section, under ‘publications’ at the NRail website www.nrail.org

Bruce, what does that put the dimensions of the corner module at? Also, what about larger radii approaching 21-24 inches using non Kato track, maybe in something like what @Ed Kapuscinski designed to be 3d printed to use non Kato rails on modules? Theoretically on a dedicated module set, a larger curve could be done across 2 straights and 1 curved module. I'm not sure how such a set would play with the need to keep everything on the table surface though.

[VonRyan]

Honestly @Ed Kapuscinski the only thing keeping me from building any T-Trak modules is money (and probably the fact that I have too many ideas and too little time, combined with my poor track record for finishing projects)

I have two blank triple modules tucked away at home that I have yet to do anything with. My thought was originally to use them to build a long industrial complex with some private switching, making use of the tight radius stuff that Tomix makes, but that’d be just another project I’d be likely not to finish.


But, I did do the scenery on the two singles and the two end caps that were the start of New Jersey Southern’s T-Trak division.

[arbomambo]

Bruce, what does that put the dimensions of the corner module at? Also, what about larger radii approaching 21-24 inches using non Kato track, maybe in something like what @Ed Kapuscinski designed to be 3d printed to use non Kato rails on modules? Theoretically on a dedicated module set, a larger curve could be done across 2 straights and 1 curved module. I'm not sure how such a set would play with the need to keep everything on the table surface though.

The geometry works well (due to the Kato unitrack measurements…
For example, if one wants to set up the old and boring oval-on-a-table layout (I have no clue why so many T-TRAKers and non T-TRAKers think this is ‘the way’), a large radius endcap (or two large radius corners) perfectly balance two older, small radius corners with a single between them on the opposite end of the oval…
Obviously, one must use two tables, arranged side-by-side to handle the size of the endcap or two corners.
We run 85’ body-mounted equipment with no worries.

[spdaylight4449]

Bruce,

I love your work... But the fact that those modules are way outside the normal TTrak standard kinda defeats the whole concept of TTrak, no? Like, you can just show up at some random TTrak meet with that trestle and expect to plug right in, right?

Dave,

  As a matter of fact, you can just show up with the trestle and plug it into the layout. I've done it several times. It may be built outside the normal size, or normal style, but it is built to the standards required to connect to any other T-TRAK module that is built to the T-TRAK standard. So Yes, it plugs right in. The only problem with this module is its size. I have to transport it inside the cab of my pickup truck. But that's ok cause I normally carry my other 10 modules with me also.

Jaime

[arbomambo]

Bruce,

I love your work... But the fact that those modules are way outside the normal TTrak standard kinda defeats the whole concept of TTrak, no? Like, you can just show up at some random TTrak meet with that trestle and expect to plug right in, right?

Actually, those modules are not “way outside the norm”.
My Arbo Canyon modules are standard triples and only 13” deep.
Jaime’s trestle is a depressed center 14” deep quad.
Both these modules plug into every layout/setup we’ve attended with them. Any of them.
Yes, we can just ‘show up’ and plug them into any T-TRAK layout that needs 2 triples together (Arbo canyon) and a quad (Jaime’s trestle)
 The “whole concept of T-TRAK”? What is that?

[wm3798]

As seen elsewhere in these pages, I've worked out a TTrak interface for my Hi Rail layout.  The lower double track main line loop is now connected to a TTrak-compabible yard via a wye junction.



The modules are set up to run either as the yard attached to my layout, where all of the polarity is consistent over the whole track plan, or as part of a modular set up, where the B-W-W-B wiring scheme is set up by throwing a slide switch.  In that instance, the crossover becomes locked, and the siding at the front is used for the outer Red line, and the rest of the yard can be worked from the yellow line.



It should work with either DCC or DC, or the split where a DC loop uses the inner track and DCC uses the outer (as long as the crossover isn't thrown to confuse the issue)

The siding on the red line causes the front edge of the module to creep out an inch or so, with track 2 being the Red main, and track 3 being the Yellow main, where the Bachmann Chessie train set is parked.  I still have to add the leveling screws and tidy up the wiring.

The upper level yard will only be used as part of the home layout, so I'm considering making that a simple removable shelf that can stay home, then creating a scenic "costume" to put on the back of the modules when deployed in a larger set up.

Lee

[Iain]

welp, about the time i was thinking about getting back into n scale and i was laid off, so rn i don't have the budget for modules

[dem34]

welp, about the time i was thinking about getting back into n scale and i was laid off, so rn i don't have the budget for modules

Do you know anyone with scrap wood pallets and a Western/Eastern wood saw? Partially joking

At Altoona we had a few modules that were just platters of scrap plywood with 5" bolts that were perfectly serviceable as modules.

[Dave V]

I think I'm finally onboard here. Between the fantastic work I see from my fellow a$$hats here and my urge to return to modeling the PRR with portability in mind, T-Trak seems like the answer.

Honestly, the more I think about this, the more excited I am to see what I can do within the traditional constraints of the T-Trak framework.

[arbomambo]

Not as many ‘constraints’ as you may be thinking.
Too many, including T-TRAKers tend to impose limits that don’t actually exist and think of T-TRAK as being a modular system that comprises modules arranged back-to-back on a banquet table..
T-TRAK module layouts can be arranged in any fashion one can imagine.
Like the difference in model railroads built on a 4x8 sheet of plywood as opposed to an around the room wall shelf-mounted layout.
And module sizes and dimensions are not etched in stone except for the standards that they must be adjudtsble in height, track spacing at both ends, and the drop wiring. All of these standards have to do with the ability to connect with an adjacent module.
  If one builds an irregularly sized module (wider, deeper, etc. than the original single, double, and triple sizes that the concept began with) the module can be used in many layouts depending on where it’s placed, just like any other T-TRAK module. The layout manager just needs to know about the irregular module.
  I purposely build my modules with Kato Unitrack, specifically, to illustrate what can be accomplished with just the Kato Unitrack (I am building an irregular, 20” deep, ‘quint’ (5 single-equivalent) width switching module, based on the HO project “Port of LA” track plan, that will use Peco code 55 on everything except the mainline ends)

[wcfn100]

Honestly, the more I think about this, the more excited I am to see what I can do within the traditional constraints of the T-Trak framework.

If you want to do something locally, my son and I could get on board with a couple modules.

Jason

[dem34]

TTraK is great for that kind of thing. I tagged along with Keystone NTrak and Ed's father over the weekend to do a small setup at Strasburg. Was a pretty good success even if a lot of us only knew about it a week in advance.