N Scale T-Trak

I like this inside corner ensemble! Any more pics of it?

... well, dang, I pruned the attachments in my quote of your msg down to the one I wanted, but I didn't show the best pic of it... But it's in the background of this one.

 

Okay, this pic in the quote of your msg is better... I like it!

 

So that module set was a part of a club member’s home layout for a few years. Now it’s just a module set for shows. I will get some better pics of it in the morning.

 

Here are better pictures of the corner module as requested.

 

Thank you; that's a really cool ensemble of straight and corner modules. A lot of thought and work went into those.

But I couldn't help noticing the straight, single modules in the background have no backs, and apparently no power connections???

 

Our T-Trak layout fits on 2 8’ tables. We only connect 1 module to the power packs and have no voltage drop issues. We also don’t have backdrops so all the modules can be seen.

 

I recognize some of those modules from your posts of building them; good to see them "in concert!"

The "backyard" views of your modules on the far side reminds me...

Many summers ago, my young family took a steam train, the "Tarantula Railroad," IIRC, from south Fort Worth, up through the west side, to the stockyards on the north side, and back. I remember the unique, backyard/back-lot views of the old neighborhoods and businesses we passed. It was a far different view than from the street! I remember on the return leg (up-hill) we ran out of steam (literally) and had to stop and wait to "build up a head of steam" again. A lot of passengers were complaining (it was rather warm), but I actually enjoyed the realism of it. "So this is what happens if the fireman doesn't keep up!"

I wonder if anyone builds modules that feature the "backyards" at the front (spectator-facing side) of the modules. I suppose you could use a pair of front-to-back transition modules, and flip around some conventional modules to this effect. Sometimes watching the trains pass behind structures, peeking out at road crossings, alleys between structures, etc., can be interesting in itself.

Okay, fever-dream over... back to your regular programming!

 

Impressive! I'd like to see one of these setups in person but I don't believe there are any in the greater Reno area. I notice some of the cars in front of the Seagram's factory are not parked very straight, I guess they must be the quality control taste testers...

 

that is correct. They were originally intended for 4H kids to build something on and they were extras so one of the club members took them and made them into an old time looking set. No power, just simple singles.

 

I had an O gauge layout about 10 years ago that had the buildings facing the center of the layout so the tracks ran behind them. I really liked it because I thought it looked more realistic but my wife didn't care for it.



I made the buildings face outwards on my T-Trak modules because I think that's what people who attend train shows are most interested in seeing.

We didn't make backdrops for our modules because where we set up at the Melbourne, FL show has trophy cases toward the top of the photo I posted. People can get in there but it's a little tight so most view the layout from the right and bottom sides of the photo. Having no backdrops allows folks to see the whole layout.

 

There are additional opportunities to "decorate" the backsides of buildings, balconies/fire-escapes, etc.: A potted plant here, some drying laundry there, maybe even a sun-bather.

 

Within that same footprint, you could replace the end doubles with 2 new T modules, and move the formerly end doubles to the middle...

That would let you run three trains independently.

Reach to the interior module's tracks could be a challenge.

Just sayin'...

 

I can't remember (a common problem, but let's not go there) whether I've asked this about your T-Track group or not, but do y'all wire both tracks with the same polarity, or opposite?

The same polarity allows for crossovers, etc. between the tracks, and DCC, but is not per the standard.

 

We wanted to keep to the T-Trak standard so we wired ours to the BWWB opposite polarity standard. We don’t have any crossovers at this time. If we eventually get modules with crossovers and/or add DCC we’ll switch the polarity of one line at the power source.

 

Okay, now I recognize what looks like two Kato DC power packs on the table at the far end.

 

So we use the BWWB standard with our modules as well. Crossovers are only used when running DCC and we do not have an issue with shorts. I don't know why it doesn't but it just doesn't. Right now we are only capable of running DC on the Red line so the Yellow stays DCC all the time. I am going to be changing this soon but we will still not be able to use crossovers when we go DC on both lines as the DC is provided by a G scale decoder that is wired directly to the track output.

 

Yep, that’s my 2 Kato power packs. The Kato plugs makes connecting them easy peasy.

 

I thought there was a National T-Trak Chattanooga TN 2026 thread but I can't seem to locate it. And the Search function does not work.

The organizer has reported that the track plan for the World Record attempt is now officially complete and full. Gulp!

 

At 107 pages on this thread, it's long past time for a dedicated T-trak forum here!