A Double T-TRAK Module - Summerhill, Pennsylvania

[davefoxx]

You're welcome. I'm still kinda new around here and not familiar with what equipment you normally run. But with TTRAK at the show I suppose there could be autoracks, double stacks, or Amtrak Superliners coming across your module. I don't run any of that stuff and couldn't tell you how tall those models are.

Which is to say, maybe that's why the clearance gauge looks so tall. Hopefully it doesn't mess up your plans.

I generally run HO, so clearance really would be a problem.    I moved from N to HO in 2017, but I’ve still got some rolling stock left over from my days as an N scaler.  Unfortunately, I sold all of my auto carriers and SuperLiners, but I do still have one five-unit set of TwinStack cars.  However, I sold all of my containers.    So, I’ll just do my best to get the right clearance with the NMRA gauge and/or a measuring tape.  I don’t want my module to be banned, because it won’t allow certain equipment to run through.

I don’t think the proper clearance will cause problems, because I have some ideas how to stretch that ramp and to raise the surrounding terrain.  What I sketched out this morning is not yet etched in stone.

Thanks,
DFF

[davefoxx]

Hahaha!  Dumbass me.  When I was in a hurry to get out the door to run errands earlier, I grabbed my HO scale NMRA gauge!  No wonder it looked huge!  Now that I’m looking at the proper N scale NMRA gauge, we’re good.    It measures just over 1.65” in height, according to my digital micrometer.  I’ll go at least 1-3/4” to be safe.

DFF

[mkearns]

Ok so I measured my NMRA gauge and my Kato Unijoiner remover tool for use as clearance gauges.

NMRA gauge
The metal part: 1.65" high x 1.22" wide
The outer blue part: 1.75" high x 1.34" wide

Kato Unijoiner remover tool: 1.75" high x 1.09" wide





I'm not sure which part of the NMRA gauge is actually for clearances. The blue part is definitely more generous, but maybe it's not designed to be anything but protection for the metal part in storage. I lost the paper that came with it.

Note that the Kato tool does have a different upper profile in addition to the narrower width (a different "plate" perhaps?). But the thing that I recalled reading about using it as a basic height gauge seems to be supported by the numbers. It is the same height as the NRMA recommended clearance for TTRAK.

Also note that I used a metal ruler rounded to the nearest 32nd, best as I could tell. Probably should get a digital caliper at some point.

Also also note that I hate the imperial measurement system.

[Mike C]

  Ive NEVER done that ! wink wink nudge nudge .

[MK]

My NMRA gauge, purchased MANY years ago, didn't come with the blue "protector"(?).  Is it just that a protector or does it have other uses?  If other uses, where can I get just the blue part?

[mkearns]

My NMRA gauge, purchased MANY years ago, didn't come with the blue "protector"(?).  Is it just that a protector or does it have other uses?  If other uses, where can I get just the blue part?

OK, so looking harder, I found a piece of paper that better clarifies the purposes of the plastic "blue part" of the NMRA gauge. It does indeed have a purpose - storage AND clearance



The side that I previously photographed it is in "clearance mode". I didn't notice before but the little track gauge prongs are positioned just below the bottom of the plastic so you can use that to position the bottom of the gauge centered on the rails.

On the side that I didn't photograph it has little notches to better protect the gauge "prongs" both top and bottom, i.e. the bottom ones don't protrude like they do in clearance mode.

I will say that my metal gauge does not fit very well in either side of the plastic part. It easily falls out on both the clearance side and the storage side, making it somewhat difficult to use both together as a clearance gauge in practice.

That being said, for anyone that doesn't have the blue part (maybe a more recent addition to the gauge), I'm not sure how critical it is. Folks with more experience with N scale equipment might want to weigh in how much the small differences in size/plate between the blue plastic outer part and the metal part really matter.

[OldEastRR]

What kind of protection does an all hard-steel flat piece need? From WHAT, exactly? Armor-piercing locomotives?  Just another "modern complication".

[packers#1]

What kind of protection does an all hard-steel flat piece need? From WHAT, exactly? Armor-piercing locomotives?  Just another "modern complication".

It’s a gauge, which means it’s calibrated. Any drops/dings would knock it out of calibration. Now for some of those things such as clearance it probably isn’t as big of a deal, but you get those prongs out of calibration or the coupler height and suddenly you’re going to need a new gauge.

Source: I work in quality in a manufacturing environment and if any of our gauges get dropped they immediately go to the calibration shop. Any parts dropped on the floor also go to the NC table and typically are scrapped out.

[Point353]

Hahaha!  Dumbass me.  When I was in a hurry to get out the door to run errands earlier, I grabbed my HO scale NMRA gauge!  No wonder it looked huge!  Now that I’m looking at the proper N scale NMRA gauge, we’re good.    It measures just over 1.65” in height, according to my digital micrometer.  I’ll go at least 1-3/4” to be safe.

DFF

According to NMRA RP-7.1, the minimum vertical clearance above the top of the rails is 1.73" for "modern era" equipment - so you'll be safe with 1.75".

https://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/General/RP/rp-7.1_tangent_track_centers_and_clearance_diagrams_2019.01.pdf

[davefoxx]

Yeah, my NMRA N scale standards gauge predates the plastic Clearance Gauge.  In fact, that picture of the gauge above shows it’s a Mark VI gauge.  As seen below, mine is a Mark IV, which also has the old NMRA steam locomotive wheel and coupler logo, and, therefore, it lacks the “boob” logo. 



DFF

[wm3798]

TTrak thread!