To Ntrak, yea or nea?

Howdy all!!!

Seeing as I am layout poor, seeing that I moved and have a new job. I was thinking about joining a N scale club of some sort.

There happens to be a Ntrak club in Austin, Tx. About 60 miles from me. They have a open house tomorrow from 11am-4pm. I was thinking about going and seeing what they are all about.

Here is their web site, not much there. There are some pics there
http://www.austntrak.org/index.html#

I never have been a member of any MRR club,.so I was looking for input as to what to expect and what to look out for.

The web site says they do not have a permanant location, or layout. Just they set up to run at shows , malls and some impromptu gatherings.

So any input would be welcome. I wonder how my Wisconsin scenery would look mixed in with central Texas landscapes??LOL.

Adios, Wyatt

 

Wyatt,

Just go and see what you think.

I've never belonged to any MR thing either. But I've been thinkin' about it lately. There are a couple of good clubs down here around Houston.

 

Hey Wyatt,

Can't keep a good man down, hey!

I have a NTrack Module I don't plan on using, courtesy of a diesel trade with our friend Mike D of this board. If you decide to join, maybe you would be interested in that as a start, even though benchwork is a strong suit for you!

I have only been a member of clubs about two years out of the 47 I have been a model railroader. You certainly need a certain amount of calm and resolve to not rock the boat to get a long. However, just setting up a few times a year might cure what ails ya until you get Soo II started.

 

Wyatt,

I met some of the guys down there about 3 years ago. Seemed like a good crew. When are you starting your new layout?

 

I hhope that 60 miles makes for a 1hr trip. I'd go check it out& see what's up. It's a good sign since they say you don't have to own a module to join. That can help keep the cost down. Some clubs charge a fee to join. Since they don't have a home, they may have no place to pay "rent".

Ntrak can be a great boost to Nscale modeling. You can get all sorts of ideas. They may have a mix of different scenery. The basic 3trak mainline can get boring, but every modeler has a different chance to do scenery. You may see the same kits painted different to at least look somewhat different.
Don't worry about your Wisconsin landscape. THey should enjoy a good farm scene. They may even allow you to run some MILW equipment, as a change of pace from the normal paint schemes.

Bring a camera & let us know how it goes.

 

The guys @ AustNTRAK are very nice, I encounter them a lot at the local train shows (even bought an engine from a member), they're open today for a continuation of the Austin Model RR Jamboree.

Several other people had their layouts open yest., some still have them open today. If you want more info, email me.

There's someone usually there who has West TX scenerey, too. AustNTRAK has a $20 life membership fee, as the site says, "the only way to get out is to die."

 

Of course the club requirements are stiff too, Participate when convenient and be sure to have fun.

 

Wyatt:

Give it a try.

Have fun...

Stay cool and run steam....

 

Well I appriciate all the advice and encouragment.

I was not able to go today. I will drop them a email and see where it goes from there.

Adios Wyatt

 

A club can be a big benefit... it depends on what the "fit" is.... some clubs require mandatory attendance at a certain # of meetings and/or show, while others are very laid back.

Harold

 

Aust'N'Trak is very laid back.
If you eat food, you will fit in.
If you enjoy N-Scale, you will fit in.

 

Wyatt

I have set up modules with the Austin club several times now ( Austin, Arlington GATS and Oklahoma City show ).

They are all a great bunch of guys. All very knowledgable and willing to share.

I highly recommend that you visit with them.

 

Wyatt,

Sorry we missed you. We have little design requirements for modulating with us. Wisconsin scenery would fit perfect with our modules from Amish country, Ft Wayne Indiana, "Bruceville", Colorado high country, and points between. We do a mix of DCC and DC during setups and enjoy bi directional operations on the red line. (A lot of modules have red sidings we call orange).

As said before we enjoy running trains, eating, and hanging out at Mc Neil Texas.

Troy, North of Temple?

Thanks Carl and George for the kind words.

Joe Cox
AustNtrak

 

Nea, for me....tried it, not fun. While the guys do a good job with the modules, they still wreak havic on your stuff going up and down across the sections...just no fun...and I run good stuff...IM, Kato, PWRS, etc. not stuff that is prone to having bad times...no more for me...

 

Ngauging:

You are condemning a club because you had a bad experience elsewhere?

We run good stuff too. I'd trust their modules with my brass (I have little but some).

Deb and I have lent our modules to the Austin club and have never had any problems with their use or care of them. We've never had a problem with that group.

 

I ran my brass Cab Forward multiple laps on the DC section at Chantilly last year (over 200 modules of unknown (to me) parentage). Smooth as silk.

The key is module maintenance. A module with track problems should be "bad ordered" before it is ever put into a layout.