Has there ever been a larger NTRAK layout anywhere in the world than the one in Chantilly '04? As far as I know, that is the largest North Amercian layout to date at over 80 scale miles. (I was part of that layout - it was a blast). I've heard that maybe in Japan they've had larger layouts. Anyone know for sure? What is/was the largest layout ever constructed, NTRAK or otherwise? In case you're wondering, we have 50,000 square feet set aside for an NTRAK layout for the 2008 National N Scale Convention, and we're planning on filling it up! Paul Downs Production Co-Chair 2008 National N Scale Convention Louisville
Tony, You are right there. The World's Largest Layout is for fun and for PR. We have already done a "better not bigger" layout in our region. We had a modest 4000 sq. ft. layout in Cincinatti at the NMRA 05 National show. Over 20 clubs sent their very best modules, some only sent one or two, so the quality was excellent. But, still, isn't it fun to run a train for over four hours and never pass the same point twice?
I'm definately looking forward to the 08 convention. I plan to be there and hope I can convince my group (MVNS) to be there to. Though Glenn (our president) may have already told Paul we'll be there. Maybe even I can get a module done by then.
I'm not sure how or where you heard they made a larger layout in Japan. They don't have room over there for NTrak modules in their homes, much less their vehicles, so that's why they came up with TTrak (the little laptop-sized modules they can carry on trains in their lap.) So to the best of my knowledge it was Chantilly, but check with the folks at the NTrak web site and see what they say. Adam
Valley Forge, PA, 1993 [edit] How large was the NTrak layout at Valley Forge, PA in 1993? That was the one with the "star" for routing trains onto other large Ntrak layouts. I remember that the intent was to have the largest NTrak layout to date, but I don't remember how big it was.
I know we still have plenty of time to plan for this, so maybe Louisville can have the largest layout, longest mainline, longest train, or whatever record we want to go for. There is also time to work on the latest potential problem to crop up, concerning the revised National Electric Code and "temporary" wiring (see the latest issue of the NTRAK Newsletter, May/June 2006, for details). If fire marshalls in Kentucky interpret the code strictly, it may be necessary for big modular layouts to be set up and wired differently. I have some questions in this regard, specifically about whether the NTRAK layout in Louisville will require strict conformance to the width standards, currently no more than 36" (the standard 24" width plus an additional 6" in front and 6" in back). I have seen modules at local shows in different parts of the country that do not necessarily meet all official NTRAK requirements, but are built instead to local club standards. The reason I ask is because I am interested in recreating the Tidewater port scene I used to have in my basement before I moved to a new house in 2004. This was based on the C&O terminal at Newport News, VA, as shown in the following images: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/railway-shipyard/r-s-postcard.jpg http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/railway-shipyard/1960-deep-water-terminal.jpg The piers, with cargo ships docked alongside, would jut out in front of the modules on plywood peninsulas (my old layout, which was not portable or NTRAK-compatible) had 3 piers each on two parallel 4x8 sheets, with 2 feet of operator space in between). Each pier was several feet long and about 6" wide (no selective compression required), with enough space between the piers for side-by-side Liberty Ships. Would a configuration like this be acceptable at a national convention?
Robert, I'm not incharge of layout operations, so I can only give my best guess at your points. The operations chair will meet with the fire marshall this summer to discuss the show and the layout. The layout will likely be made up from loops sent by a club or a group of clubs. You should contact your local NTRAK/N Scale club (if not already a member) to see what their plans are. I assume (dangerous territory here) that as long as you had the 3 mains in the correct location at each end, your module set can be included. I have an extention passenger station yard that clamps to the front of our large yard, giving a depth of over 3 feet, and it has been in lots of shows. At any rate, I look forward to seeing your modules. A guy in our club is working on a dock scene with an exact scale model of a passenger ship (Norway, I think). The ship itself is over 6 feet long.
