N Scale T-Trak

billmtx Oct 28, 2010

  1. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    UPDATE: Just got off the phone with Terry and he was not aware of the situation. He is out right now and will look into it when he gets access to a computer when he gets back.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
    ridinshotgun likes this.
  2. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Had a chance to assemble my first single module today. It went pretty easy except for one little disappointment, the deck is slightly warped. I laid the track for this single temporarily and will fasten permanently after I paint the module. Learned one thing, not a fan of mounting the track with screws from underneath. The module is from Masterpiece Modules.

    Regards,
    Charles Single01.JPG Single02.JPG Single03.JPG Single04.JPG
     
  3. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    still a few things more to do...weather the highway, a little more flora, utility poles, highway road signs, Title plaque, and ATSF station sign... IMG_8916.jpg IMG_8917.jpg IMG_8919.jpg IMG_8921.jpg IMG_8920.jpg
     
  4. spyder62

    spyder62 TrainBoard Member

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    great job on the stone cut
    rich
     
  5. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    On mounting - there's two ways to do this to make it easier.

    Get a pin vise with a .020-.030 (no exact size) drill and drill the Kato track part through the bottom hole through the tie in the top (open up the hole).

    Put the track where you want - then drill down through the top all the way through the plywood.

    You can then either glue it and use a track nail (my approach) or see the hole from underneath and use the screw - and get a precise mounting position.

    Since I'm ballasting mine, I'm holding down the end pieces with contact cement AND track nails, from the top. But even with nails, I predrill a small hole to make sure the location is precise.
     
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  6. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Back up and running.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  7. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Since it's a dreary, rainy day here in the panhandle of Florida, I took the time to paint the fascia of the single modules today. The color is Owl Brown and Behr Premium Plus paint. This is one coat but I may do a second coat. I left the deck of the module unpainted because I will paint it with a lighter "earth" tone to simulate the ground. This will help when I start to add scenic materials.

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  8. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Got my T-Trak caboose in the mail today and before anyone asks unfortunately they are no longer available.

    Regards,
    Charles

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  9. Junior Flores

    Junior Flores TrainBoard Member

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    Finally got my first T-Trak module and decided to get the T-Kits thanks to you all for your insights. I got it pre-assembled and did a mock up of my Japanese rural station and platform set. I'm excited to finally do some scenery. Hopefully this will distract me from buying more trains. :)

    IMG_1177.jpg IMG_1180.jpg IMG_1181.jpg
     
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  10. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Having suffered from this same affliction, since my early childhood, I sincerely doubt you will be slowed in purchasing more.... :p
     
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  11. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Assembled and glued a double wide module I got from T-Kits today. It went much faster than the 2 singles I got from Masterpiece. This double is one that Terry had experimented with (not his usual double) by setting the deck 2" below to accommodate 2" foam so I can carve out my river. We can't
    get 2" here so I will be "sandwiching" two pieces of 1" together.

    Regards,
    Charles

    DSC_0195.JPG
     
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  12. Junior Flores

    Junior Flores TrainBoard Member

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    Haha, I'm trying so hard to do more in the other aspects of this hobby instead of just collecting trains although I have to say I'm really good about running them on my Kato Unitrack temporary layouts. Are you a poly train collector like me? I like American, Japanese and European both passenger and freight trains and no era preference either.
     
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  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    You have mastered model railroading. The essential principle= Just have fun! (y):D
     
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  14. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Received the track laying tool in the mail today. This is a design by Terry at T-Kits.com but you purchase it on Shapeways. It is available in various colors and costs around $15 USD. It is basically a 3-in-1 tool. Lay it at the corner with the logo facing up and you drill the hole at the corners of the module. With the logo face down you get the distance required from the front edge of the module to the roadbed of the outer track. Stand it on end and there are grooves that you measure the center to center of your two tracks. It does have a built in fourth feature, it is right angle so it can be helpful to check that your modules are square.

    Regards,
    Charles

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  15. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Charles, I still believe that the best way to make sure of your track spacing is to use a Unitrack #20-042, 62mm piece of double track, on each end of the modules as you lay your track. When a new module is brought in, the club I am in checks the track spacing with the 042, there is no argument, it either fits or it does not. Once we were told about the 042, we brought some and checked all our existing modules and modified as needed. We had been using the spacing notches in the Kato railer for our spacing guide. The 042 worked much better. later, Craig
     
  16. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Made two of these for alignment:

    [​IMG]

    Just put them on the module track and everything is right. One side is the correct spacing from the edge of the module, just line that up. Make a right and left.

    Harold
     
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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Was just looking at ordering a module kit. Seems as though both operations are in the vicinity of Austin, Texas? An interesting, yet unusual occurrence.
     
  18. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    They are both located in Austin, TX. I don't know if it is just coincidence or what. I have ordered from both manufacturers and my experience has been that both are good.

    T-Kits has redesigned their kits and you can put them together almost without the need for clamps but I highly recommend it. You just don't have to be so over zealous with the clamps. Just make sure all joints mate and are square.

    Masterpiece is ideal if you don't have clamps or don't want to mess with clamps. With the finger joint design you just glue and tap the joints together with a hammer and piece of wood or a rubber mallet. Again you want to make sure all the joints mate and are square. It is helpful to watch their video to make sure things are done correctly.

    I found that assembly time was slightly less with T-Kits even with having to clamp (I used bungee cords; actually you could even use duct tape) but overall both went together easily. If you don't have woodworking tools or the skills then either would be suitable. It's just a matter of preference.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
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  19. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    planning for the layout is in FULL SWING!
    please consider a donation to assist making this annual event an outstanding one! donor letter in jpeg.jpg
     
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  20. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    THANK YOU, Walter and Debbie Vail, for your sponsorship and support of the T-TRAK layout at the National Train Show in Kansas City! Your support in Orlando helped to make it a huge success, and we're very proud to have you as a sponsor for this one!https://www.showcaseminiatures.net/
     
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