Wilson Street T-Trak module

[keeper]

All this recent talk about T-Trak got me thinking and I started building a module.
Some might know that I also have some T-Trak modules for Z scale.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=52941.0

The scene I'm trying to create is inspired by this image.

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fs0voluguj5y31.jpg

It is in Madison, WI on East Wilson Street and shows a Milwaukee passenger train.
Did I mention, that I'm a fan of street runing? 

The module itself is a non-standard one. It is a double but deeper than normal. First I chose a depth of 350mm which is within the standard.
The track is in the position of the outer track.

So if I ever want to join a T-Trak club/fair/party, I would need at least two conversion modules to fit in the double track set up.

In the end I added another 150mm to the front to get enough depth for my idea.
Next step is a mock-up of my idea.



If anyone is interested, this is the crossing on East Wilson Street.

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.086261,-89.3620184,19z?hl=de&entry=ttu

Next I built the module from wood which could be re-used from a former layout.





Next I added cardboard as a base.



This is the first time I use this Woodland Scenic road stuff.





I'm really happy with it.

Now a bit of fun....



The ex-factory and Emilio's Italian Restaurant are two of the buildings which are for the module.
The others are just for the looks.

Any suggestions for a module name?


EDIT: title change from Un-Named to Wilson Street

[garethashenden]

I can't really explain why, must be something with the street running, but the phrase that came to mind is "On Street Parking". If that spur were closer to the road it would totally work as a name. Might work anyway.

[nickelplate759]

Why not "Wilson Street" ?

[x600]

Why not "Wilson Street" ?

Dang George, I wanted to pick that one 

Thomas, I like the scene in the last photo. looking forward to the future progress.
Note: 2 votes for "Wilson Street"

Greg O.

[keeper]

Ok, "Wilson Street" it is!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, I love this!!

[chuck geiger]

This is pimp.

[chessie system fan]

It will be useful to see how the cardboard base holds up over time.  It's something I wouldn't have considered.  But since you added so much support underneath, it just might work.

[keeper]

You can say it is a test as I have never done this before. I think it will be ok, because it is nearly everywhere supported by wood underneath it.
The cardboard itself is quite thick, 6mm.

[wm3798]

I'm digging this.  Street running is something that I've been fascinated by since my adventures on Boston Street and around Fells Point in Baltimore.

For the T Trak aspect, one can't help but wonder about the routing of the second thru track.  It looks like the module might be a bit on the deep side to sneak it around the back of something.  Or are you doing this to your own single track standard?

The roadway looks really good.  Once you weather it in, it's going to be quite convincing.

Lee

[wm3798]

It will be useful to see how the cardboard base holds up over time.  It's something I wouldn't have considered.  But since you added so much support underneath, it just might work.

If you cut strips of corrugated cardboard and run them vertically and laminated together like a spline, it can be plenty stable.  If using it flat, if you alternate the direction of the corrugation over a couple of layers (like plywood) it can be stable enough for the short spans of a T Trak module.

The main issue might be if it absorbs a lot of moisture during the scenery phase...

Lee

[keeper]

...

For the T Trak aspect, one can't help but wonder about the routing of the second thru track.  It looks like the module might be a bit on the deep side to sneak it around the back of something.  Or are you doing this to your own single track standard?

...

Yes, I'm doing this mostly for myself. I'm not aware of any model railroad club with a T-Trak layout or something like that.
But it is not like that I haven't given it some thought.
Right now the plan would be to build two transition modules where the double track will  narrow down to single track for the street running and then go back to double track afterwards.
So this module would be the middle one of three modules. That's my current idea.

[keeper]

...

The main issue might be if it absorbs a lot of moisture during the scenery phase...
...

Up to now it wasn't a problem. When I poored this stuff for the road onto the cardboard it just stayed flat, no warping or something like that.
It just took a bit more time to dry properly.

On the other hand it is dead easy to glue balsa wood - the sidewalk and structure bases - or other things onto the cardboard.


Edit: note to myself, this is post #1000 

[keeper]

Up to now, the only photo I found of Wilson Street with a train or even the tracks in it, is the one linked in the first post.
Does someone know where I might find more or know when the tracks were pulled up?

[keeper]

Now with "feet".....