N Scale T-Trak

billmtx Oct 28, 2010

  1. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Even if the field isn't truly "to scale," the effect is very nice and it makes a convincing scene. Looks great!
     
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  2. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Charles, I have looked at your plan and can offer one suggestion, use a double in place of the 2 singles (New Gottland) and a triple in place of a double and single (Woodland). I have found over the years that the fewer modules you have the easier set up is. For New Gottland, keep the triple as is and combine the 2 singles. For Woodland, keep the first double as is and make the double, single as a triple. Of course it is your RR and you can make it al you like. Just a suggestion from a long time t-traker. A double and triple goes up quicker than 2 singles and a triple or 2 doubles and a single. If I read your post correctly you hope to take the modules to shows. Anyway, have fun and show us the results. later, Craig
     
  3. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the suggestion. It makes a lot of sense. I made the changes you suggested and as a side benefit it made me look at the structure placement and made changes that to me appear to be less crowded and the visual effect looks better I think.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  4. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have been playing with a bunch of Unitrack to figure out layout ideas and I am realizing that as much as I want basically a bulletproof operating layout and that that is my priority over super fine scale modeling of the track that I may just go mostly Unitrack with bits of flex track on the longer runs between industries, sidings, and towns.

    I am sure I'm not the only one who has ever considered such a scheme.
     
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  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I went even further, using Peco switches and Atlas flex track, with just a minimum of Unitrack at module ends.

    PS- Hi Adam! Nice to see you back here! :)
     
  6. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hi, Ken!

    I have ended up with a fair number of Kato switches over the years. I love the fact that I can integrate them easily with DCC for throwing them with the mechanisms they already have.

    I have a fair number of Peco Code 80 switches, too, which I'll probably use.
     
  7. trainplayern8

    trainplayern8 TrainBoard Member

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    I tried the same here in my area of Central MN but so far I'm the president, chair of the board, primary member and make all decisions for the club. I'm still working on getting all my modules done, and when I do, I'll probably elect to set up at the next local train show just to show off what I've got done and what you can do with T-Trak.

    Cheers!
     
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  8. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    So to get myself going, I am thinking of building a couple of industries/stations/waysides as sort of tabletop "layouts" that I can later plug into the actual basement layout, which I still need to build.

    Is anyone aware of any set of track plan ideas for industries and yards and stations done with Unitrack? I may also just start drawing up some ideas and running them by people on this board for feedback.
     
  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Try the T-Trak.org web site. There are also a couple of others, such as the Wikidot T-Trak pages.
     
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  10. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    Other than rigorously adhering to the 33mm track centers at edges, overall dimensions, module height, depth... it's really pretty much open season. Don't let Unitrack geometry and roadbed drive you. I've gone so far as the paint the Unitrak sections cinder black and then repaint the ties gray to look more like yard track, using Peco and Atlas sections, and put only the main line tracks up on roadbed with the remainder down on the module surface. Everything at the edges maintains the Unitrack connectors, spacing, and dimensions, everything else is pretty freelance.

    I've hacked off the front edges of mine for embankments, didn't think much of it, but it sure got a lot of attention, and has made a big difference in photography.

    I wasn't sure how this would work in practice, but after two years of my modules in public show service, it seems just fine. I DID use unitrak sections to measure spacing, length, etc. to make absolutely sure I was adhering to standard dimensions. Best tip is to use the short double-track concrete-tie pieces as templates to set parallel track spacing perfect.

    To get what I needed to fit in, I was using the tight 9" Peco C80 SLI switches in a couple places, but what I was running was my little geared steam on it so it didn't really matter. The other thing I wandered off into the weeds with was splitting the double track into two single-track modules of around 8" depth - one in front and one in back, to develop single track scenes like my bridge, but other than that, keeping standard T-trak dimensions on everything. So I'm more than advocating the approach, just don't let Unitrak completely drive your design as you don't have to. The Ntrak guys have been doing this kind of creativity for decades, look to them for inspiration too.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2017
    in2tech likes this.
  11. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Okay, I'm on Revision 8 of my plan and wanted to get some feedback. I decided I would like to have some car storage so I incorporated a small ladder-style yard in New Gottland and added the feed mill. The grain elevator is now located in Woodland and I moved the double crossover to that side. Comments and suggestions welcome.

    Regards,
    Charles
     

    Attached Files:

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  12. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Charles, I would run the 2 storage tracks off the switch back track so as to have only 1 turnout on the inside main at Gottland. Other than that it looks great. Having 3 turnouts in a row means you will need a set of power wires for each turnout. later, Craig
     
  13. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Chris,

    Are you saying something like this:
     

    Attached Files:

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  14. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Chris,

    I forgot to ask you but I plan on wiring all 4 straight modules but am I going to need additional feeders for the yard?

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  15. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Charles, you will not need feeders for the yard unless you want to operate in the yard while running on the inside main. If you are using DCC I would put feeders before and after every turnout. No matter what, you will need feeders on the switch back, I would place them at the end of the track. Before you fasten the track down, run your engines and throw your turnouts and see what happens. The Kato turnouts are directional with the electric. This will show you where you need feeders. Later, Craig
     
  16. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Charles, I want to clarify that I would assemble the modules, place them on the table and then just place the track onto the modules without fastening it down. Run some engines with whatever power system you are using and see if the track beyond the turnouts is live when you want it to be live. Figure out the feeders based upon this and then place the additional feeders as you need them. I hope this makes my comments clearer not mudding up the waters. later, Craig
     
  17. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Craig I decided not to do the yard since this is primarily a home layout and wasn't happy with it. Switching is not a priority with me, just running trains. Maybe for a future module. The layout will be DCC controlled and your other info is helpful and testing everything beforehand was what I had planned. You haven't muddied the waters and your suggestions are most welcome.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  18. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Charles,
    the only advice I'd offer is to resist the urge to plan, plan, and re-plan...not to say, throw all ideas out the window, but don't 'overthink' your plans...
    you've already said you like the idea of watching trains run through your layout...
    build your modules, then start setting track across them, as was suggested above...run your trains around and take note of what you think looks good TO YOU. One advantage of just having Kato Unitrack is to set up various track options and actually see trains run on the various configurations...you can only 'visualize' so much on a plan layout diagram-nothing beats actually 'seeing' the trains on the track. I've seen plenty of track diagrams that seem very good; only to actually see the trains navigate the actual trackage, and look 'wrong'. A great thing about T-TRAK is that you can always build more modules; each individual module is not a major investment of time and money, compared to a standing, permanent layout...one can even swap and interchange modules in an individual setup to change the scenery or travel of a train.
    ~Bruce
     
  19. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Sage advice Bruce. I'm stopping at Revision 9 of the plan as on paper it looks good but will take your advice and set up the track on the modules and run the trains. I may even do some cardboard mockups of structure placement before deciding where to place the permanent structures to see if it looks good with what I envision.

    As a side note, will SWARM be at RailFest 2017 in Pensacola? I'm only a couple of hours away in Panama City Beach and it would be great to see some T-Trak modules first hand.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  20. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Charles,
    Yes, we will...We've even influenced a few PMRC NTrak-ers to build a few T-TRAK modules (Don't think they'll be ready for the Pensacola show.)
    We look forward to seeing you there-bring a train to run if you'd like!
    ~Bruce
     

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