Hello to the group, I am going to order a pair of module boxes from CMR before Christmas and get started on my first module or two. I am in the Jacksonville Florida area. I may make the 5 hour trip to Pensacola this weekend as I believe there are some . T-Trak-Z modelers over that way to get an up close demonstration of the possibilities. I deleted my facebook account some time ago so I will probably look to this group for information. I will keep everyone updated with my module as it comes together. Matthew Mitchell
Thanks David. I'm with you, HF, Poppy and RRay. Facebook does something to your mind. Deleting posts is sick thinking. It's propaganda... Wide and even wider curves are best for long passenger trains. I want a standard that allows wide curves! Count me in on whatever y'all come up with. Rory ...Welcome Matthew! As well.
I think I may have a solution to my problem, it just occured this morning. On my Lester module plan with the turntable, It will not meet the depth requirement. I just need 2 tables deep, and a matching length module for the backside of my non-compliant depth module. Also, I am calling T-Trak Z, "TTZ" for short, just like I call Z Bend Track ZBT for short. I just gotta make waves, don't I?
That's a great solution. And probably the real long term solution to "TTZ" (thank you very much). Folks that want to work on a small scale and are happy to just add a module or two at meetings should stick to 270mm depth straights and 195/220 corners. And folks that want to produce epic "Me" scenes can still do that in any size depth or radius and still hook up to TTZ at shows as long as they provide their own transitions. In trainspeak wouldn't that be something like TTZ-A (A=maximum straights depth of 270mm, Rokuhan track connections) and you are proposing to TTZ-Me (Me being you LOL!) and so we have TTZ-A-Me-A. At a big train show you could end up with TTZ-A-Robert-A-Eric-A. See, it's getting simpler already! The Facebook page is personal property so it can restrict content to TTZ-A but allowing TTZ-A-Me-A at shows/meets opens up each individual to create and contribute at their own level. As long as their tables will fit somehow. That way even TTZ and ZBT need not be mutually exclusive, if transitions are provided and at the correct height. If Z is to grow and stay viable we should find ways to allow every Z scaler to connect. Maybe I don't know enough to realize the limitations but it's a nice thought. Also thank you for reminding me about table sizes. If I design a TTZ layout then it is going to end up on one of those tables some day.
One thing I don't get (yet) is how is TTZ intended to be displayed? If there is a basic oval on those 96' x 24" tables using 270mm deep straights and 195/220 curves then is only the "front" side decorated? And the back side for transition zones? That would be cool though, a lot of the European plans I see in various scales incorporate sub levels and hidden areas where all the trains are kept in "switching yards" and brought out to the decorated mainlines through tunnels, etc. Which makes me think the larger scales are much more reliable runners than Z! Also, if wider modules are utilized then they would have to bump out from the core TTZ-A layout, as shown in Roberts plan above. To leave the central wiring trough intact. So building with larger or deeper modules would require different tables, configurations. Someone already mentioned 96' x 30" tables. And that will create unused area's also as shown in Roberts plan. And it is actually much harder to reach across a 30" table than a 24" table. So I'm wondering if that is the reason the Facebook gang wants to stick with those module minimums, because of the tables and how the layouts will be viewed and operated.
Robert, TTZ modules don't have to be placed back to back. You could line up the modules and make a big square with rounded corners. Hudafreak, all of the modules should be scenicked. Whether they go to the front/outside of the layout or the back/inside of the layout is up to the layout planner.
Ok, module is on it's way. How do most folks attached feeder wires to the track? Does Rokuhan have the feeder joiners like Kato does with the N-scale track or do people just solder the feeders to the rails?
Rob, why can't the Roundhouse & Turntable be on the inside (if the T-Trak modules are not inside back-to-back)? e.g. not on a 30" table or, on a layout built on 2 tables in an L shape.
Rokuhan straight tracks have sections which push out to allow their feeders to plug right in from either side. These feeders have plugs for Rokuhan controllers also. Note that they have two types of feeders and only one can go between two closely spaced tracks. Of course soldering on is always an option. What type of controller will you use? And what modules did you buy if I might ask?
I am going to buy one of the AZL starter sets from ztrack.com which I think comes with the Rokuhan RC02 controller. I just ordered the double-length straight module from CMR products. Here is a link to the product.
Wow! With all this talk, I'm thinking it might be fun build for some spare Rokuhan and scenicing I've got... not that I'll ever make a show...