Modules for SWARMTrak ( a T-Trak goup)

[arbomambo]

I'm not a huge fan of pre-assembled/pre-painted structures...I enjoy the modeling, and can put more detail, and weather to my taste, when building a structure from a kit, or scratchbuilding....
That being said, I needed a 'small town' theatre for my "Hutton" modules, and the old Heljan theatre is very tough to find, not to mention a little large for this particular application. I bit the bullet and purchased this Woodland Scenics pre-assembled/pre-painted theatre from MB Klein and am really impressed with the assembly quality and the paint quality. It's also pre-lit with wiring compatible with the new WS "Just Plug-it" lighting system.

[arbomambo]

On the General Store module, I decided to add another of the Showcase Miniatures transformer sets in place of a standard pole...great little kits that add a touch more realism.

[arbomambo]

The Art Deco bridge from Russell Higginbotham http://higginbothamgraphics.com/redrivermodels/
is almost ready for service in the SWARMTrak setups!

[GaryHinshaw]

Nice!!

[basementcalling]

Tricky, slicky. Nicely played and executed.

[jmarley76]

Awesome work on the bridge and the modules! I can't wait to see more!

[arbomambo]

Beautiful day today (after a nasty front moved through yesterday), highs reaching the upper 60's!
I took the opportunity to take 3 of the T-Trak modules outside and set them up on a folding table a few minutes from the house. Although the General Store module is still a work in progress, I felt the structure is complete enough to photograph.
These three modules feature structures from Blair Line in N scale: the General Store, Dari King, Ernie's service, and a couple of Billboards...
I think these rural structures look right at home.
Thanks for looking,
Bruce
















I've got to fix that leaning Coke machine!!!

[GimpLizard]

These two photos are outstanding. I can barely tell where the module ends and the real world begins. Absolutely excellent.





This one however, the "blend" is not quite so believable.

[arbomambo]

added the Showcase Miniatures Wig Wags, a few road signs, and a guardrail...





Bruce

[arbomambo]

[Philip H]

You know Bruce, this is the best modular work I've seen in a long time. Anyone who thinks TTrak isn't serious modeling needs to be shown this.

[arbomambo]

Philip H.,
Thanks...
 T-Trak, like anything else, IS what you want it to be...it can be 'toy-like', it can be scale...it can be 'frivolous', it can be 'serious'...
Whatever anyone chooses it to be, all the modules I've seen are definitely N scale so I'm all for using it to promote N scale at public shows...
 The 'haters' and 'holier-than-thou's' are going to criticize anything anyway...
I was drawn to it as a concept simply because of the interest I saw it garner at a local show one weekend; I was astounded at the reception, especially by those who had never encountered N scale...I'm enjoying contributing, although I DO need to get back to my Kingman Canyon layout!
Bruce

[eric220]

Very nice setup! This has been a fun thread to watch. Just one small critique; might want to mention to the owner of the train at 2:50 that ride height matters. 

[arbomambo]

lol..yes...a couple of these guys are the guys we always see at shows...one or two nice engines,(and lots of 30-40 year old stuff) with anything and everything trailing...
  even today, I'm appalled that they still need a 'transition car' to pull most of their rolling stock!

with the incredibly GORGEOUS weather we've been experiencing down here in Coastal Alabama, module and scenery work has now moved to the 'fair weather' hobby room (aka, the garage).
I'm finally adding scenery to one of the very first SWARMTrak modules, one of the original 180 degree end caps. The other original end cap quickly became the Triple D Farm and Ranch, but this one always seemed to take a back seat as other modules were built and sceniced.
I'm taking the opportunity to do it now, as I have a few more modules in the queue that will also receive the same type of desert scenery, so I can do all of them together.
 This one is getting several layers of 1" foam (sic), rummaged from scraps, to build up the general forms that will become eroded mesa formations. At this point, I've got the general shapes in, but I'll add1-2 more layers to what is seen here. General shaping of the slopes and cuts will follow, using a rasp and foam knife, followed by capping with the eroded rock formations. I'll blend those in with a little sculptamold (I want them to appear to be formations that have been left protruding out of the eroded slope of sandstone, etc...)

 I'm trying to present the scenery in such a way as to create  a view block to attempt to hide the ridiculously  small radius that is become the T-Trak standard for these end caps and corners.

[Cajonpassfan]

Bruce, it's hard to hide the turnback curve, especially with such a tight radius and low table elevation. I would try to undo the symmetry and maybe introduce an overpass or some vertical features on one side or the other to break up the curve's visual continuity... An idea is one of those simple concrete overpasses so common on Route 66? Just a thought...
Have fun!
Otto