Or Ntrakers I could never figure which was correct. Ntrakkers looks better I guess. Anyway I just wanted to know how many Ntrakkers reside here at the Trainboard. I ask because I don't find to many topics relating to Ntrak in particular. Is there another forum that is more Ntrak specific?
when I first started investigating Ntrak I've found that there is very limited stuff on the web about them. It seems most of the groups around NTrak appear to be still this 'in person' thing that is foreign to me
Well, I am a former Ntraker. Nobody in my present area. And far away from any such activities. I still have a six footer in the basement. Some day I'll feel inspired enough to finish rebuilding it. Boxcab E50
This would be the correct forum to discuss anything NTRAK. I have been involved in NTRAK since about 1989 and built my first module in 1992. Since then I have built a few more. Of course the organization has their own web site where most everything you need to know about the organization and its standards are located. But there is no discussion forum associated with their web site that I know of. Most of that takes place in their news letter.
I like the look of "NTrakers". If you spell it "NTrakkers", it looks too much like "NTrekkers" or "NTrekkies". I don't NTrak, myself, but I find the idea fascinating. Main Page Standards The NTRAK Connection (scroll down to find NTrak suppliers and clubs)
well i am a n scale modular guy, former n trakker. i used to belong to a ntrak CLUB. however club things became too political and too personnal. i have since been involved with a n scale GROUP. no club agendas, politics, or any other things to get in the way, we just get together and run trains, all modules are built to meet n trak standards because we do set up with n trak clubs. modular groups are great if you don't have time or space for your own layout.
Our club actually started here. Three of us met thanks to TrainBoard, and we had a face-to-face at a local railfan event. The thread is still on here somewhere, I looked at it not long ago. I'm guessing you don't hear a lot, because most people probably focus on their home layout and after the module is done, it just sits in the corner like mine... waiting on the next show. KB
I don't usually add the "-ers" to the end, so I haven't dealt with the issue. I would tend toward "NTrakker" simply because with one "k" I think there would be more of a tendency to rhyme it with "baker," and that would just sound weird. I don't know what kind of internet presence you are seeking. Ntrak.org has a lot of info on standards and some links to clubs. Some clubs have a web presence and others do not. GENERALLY, those where the members are all, say, 50 and older and none are tech geeks are more likely to NOT have a web page, or at least not one that anyone can find. That's where train shows and swap meets come into the picture. There is a certain amount of face-to-face interaction in this hobby and I actually like that. I sit alone in front of a computer most of my working day so why would I want to do that in my free time, too? I believe there are a few NTrak themed groups on yahoo, too. I don't know how active they are. If you come to the Portland, Oregon, area, and would like to visit my club send me a PM and I can help set that up.
I belong to an Ntrak club that's pretty active and has the ideal president (not me). We do about 8 shows a year and are getting repeat requests to return to a mall for back to back weekends. I love those because we set up on Friday afternoon, run on Sat. and Sun., have a "work day" touching up/fixing various things mid-week, and then run again the following Sat. and Sun. Great group of guys, and I've learned most of my layout skills by experimenting first on my module! We're blessed with guys who are skilled in wiring or DCC, or track laying or scenicking, etc. We learn from each other and enjoy running trains. We had 36 modules set up the last time at the mall and ran two lines DCC and two lines DC. My experiences with Ntrak have been overwhelmingly positive. Of course I recognize this isn't everyone's experience and YMMV.
Me too. In fact, it was an Ntrak club in Houston that first got me involved in N scale. That was way back in '82 or '83 when I was in Houston for a short time between field project assignments. Oh yeah, I'd go with "NTrakker". Regards Ed .
N-Traker seems more to my liking. I have been involved with an N-Trak club since about 94 and it has been a good fit for me. I enjoy working on models between shows and then getting my fill of train running until the next show. I also have been very fortunate to get involved with a GREAT club. We are not without our problems, but overall it is a great experience. Two things I want to bring up about discussions of N-Trak. It's definitely not for everyone so the two major complaints I hear are; The Three track main and "other modules don't look good next to mine." Since my involement in N-Trak, I have seen several people address these issues with some success. Some have built their own module standards to eliminate both issues. Pete Thomas' and Walt Huston's Onyx Division is a good example. Some have built modules into their home layout. Our Club, Mt Rainier N-Scale has addressed the second issue by being a "Closed" N-Trak layout. We mostly set up by ourselves and maintain our own scenery standards while still maintaining N-Trak standards. We can still connect to others for some of the big shows like Seattle 2000 and the upcoming Derby City Express. The three track main is not an issue for us because at shows, the more trains , the better. We also use the Mountain Line for the 4th train. Then the discussion turns to operation, running around in a circle for hours on end. Some of us like that. Many of the visitors like it. Our Blue line and Green line has plenty of sidings and spurs to switch cars around when the mood strikes, or crowd interest warrants it. Again, it's not without it's problems. Personalities play a big part, and sometime I think it would be better if I just sat in my basement and played with trains by myself with my own standards. Then I do a show, and see the kids enjoying the long trains and scenery, and I ignore the negatives and have fun. The other good thing about being in a club and doing shows is that you get in early and for free!!! Building a module for me, was a great experience and getting to share what I do with others is a real pleasurable part of the hobby. Ken, get that module finished and come over and I'll slip it in the layout!!
There are pluses and minuses of NTrak. I hear people grumble about the NTrak standards sometimes and I try to remind people what the standards grew out of and that there's no one holding a gun to anyone's head telling us which standards to follow. There's nothing inherent in NTrak standards that make or break a club. Clubs are collections of personalities. My club's members all seem to get along pretty well. I know that hasn't always been the case. I have seen minutes from six or seven years ago where people stated in the business meetings desires that so-and-so not show up anymore or that the speaker was no longer going to show up. I am one of those people that tends to leave "hobby" or "fun" groups once things become really contentious and don't come back down from that. Life is too short for me to waste my "free time" with petty squabbles.
I agree. For me, it's pronounced N- Trak- er. Three track main? There are so many ways to vary trackage, that it's never boring. Remember, it's purpose was to get people together, present N scale to the public, and have fun with fellow N scalers. At any show I attended, where MRNS was set up, there was not an instance where I did not spend time walking around, and around it. Looking. It's very well done. MRNS, and the United Northwest Model RR Club, ("UNW"), are great examples. The UNW is a modular show layout, all to their own standards. http://www.unwclub.org/ It's withstood the test of time, being well over 25 years now. Constantly evolving. Always every bit as good as the previous setup. Greg- One of these days, I'll be back over your way. Who knows? NTRAK, although I am not presently active, will always hold a special place in my model railroading life. I met so many people. Made so many friends. Keep fond memories. Boxcab E50
NTRAKer... As this is an N scale board, I pretty much stay with stuff applicable to all N scale. I've been in N scale since 1982, and an NTRAKer for over 8 years. Since I only have room for a test loop at home, NTRAK gives me a chance to run those long reefer blocks I remember as a kid and get together with a great group of guys (if my dispatcher's "switch list" isn't too long <G>). I think NTRAK has done a great service to N scale, but there is no arguing that fixed/home layouts have their good points. NTRAK specific stuff can be found on the ntrak and the NtakDCCSIG groups on Yahoo.
N-Trakker lurker here... I don't spend a whole heck of a lot of time on the forums, but when I do, it's usually for more general modeling info. I used to follow the Yahoo NTrak group, but there seemed to be a lot of belly-aching going on. And, we've tried a forum on out club website, but traffic is slow, and primarily from club members...
I belong to two small NTrak clubs in the NE Ohio area (Burning River N Society and Lake Erie N Scale). I only have a single POFF, but I am thinking about doing a 6 footer soon.
Another N-Trakker here. I've belonged to the "not so local" club for about 8 years now and we just finished up our first train meet of the year. What a hoot! We had a great time. Our club has gone through some pains, as most have, I believe, but have a core of solid individuals that work hard and are willing to help with whatever comes up. With the help of different members, I fully believe what I build today is much better than anything I could have come up with by myself (even with internet access), and I get a lot of satisfaction from having folks look, point and smile at my modules. Of course my wife gives me a hard time about my modules being so much more detailed than my home layout (something had to give ), but she comes up with tons of creative ideas for me to include (and here I thought I was done ). I need to also mention that through the club I have forged new friendships and enjoyed 8 years of running long trains and occasionally being the target of good-natured humor. To me, thats one of the great things with N-Trak, enjoying something you like do with folks that have a similar interest, appreciate the work you have done, and are willing to help out in anyway they can.
my layout is built to NTRAK standards. layout tour http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/N-Scale/layout_tour/
