I have only just "cruised" this topic, so forgive if I missed this (??), but where might I find a design description of these modules? Do they have legs, or are they solely designed for "table top" use?? I am very interested in this concept, as I am disabled.
Thanks:tb-cool:!! Since I am already a firm "Unitrack" fan, this will be "right up my alley", so to speak.
Don't forget the TrainBoard T-Trak Group mentioned earlier in this topic. I am busily prepping a corner module for track today! Boxcab E50
I was in Japan and saw the first TTRAK modules when they were publicly shown at the JAM Convention. It has been interesting to see how they were interpreted here in North America, quite differently than the original concept in Japan. I haven't followed their evolution in Japan but here are my observations on what has happened here: Original Japanese concept: Primarily focused on traction and urban scenes. Not intended to be a tabletop version of NTRAK (Japan had for many years prior to TTRAK a smaller, two track tabletop modular system which is more popular than NTRAK, although there are NTRAK modules in use there). The standards included small radius traction curves which had geometry designed to allow clearance for two streetcars passing at corners. Emphasis was on fine, diorama-level modeling. Some operating overhead trolley (rare in Japan in general). NTRAK promotion of TTRAK in North America- Two-edged goals.... simple youth projects and phantasy. As often seen beyond original NTRAK style- "NTRAK Lite". Easily transported and set-up modular railroad. Broader curves, same trains operated as a conventional NTRAK layout. I am all for the "big tent" approach to Model Railroading and appreciate that everybody enjoys their trains in different ways. I am, however, somewhat disappointed to see that the original Japanese concept did not catch on here. Perhaps it is the relative lack of trolley and interurban equipment in the North American Marketplace. Maybe the new Bachmann Peter Witt is the beginning of more streetcars and other traction pieces in the future. A tip for TTRAKers..... you don't have to use Kato track thruout each module. You can cut any Kato straight section in half, slide the rails out, and substitute the rails on the end of a piece of flex track and use normal Code 80 track (Peco, Atlas, etc..) as long as it is shimmed to the same rail height as the Kato. This makes doing crossovers and other track configurations not available in Unitrack easier. Charlie Vlk
In going through my weekend email I found a link that proves there is some TTRAK traction going on: The "T-Trak for Trolleys" info may be of value to you: T-Trak for Trolleys Unfortunately the Tomix short radius track sections are only available in Japan along with the pavement sections designed to go along with it, but there are several Japanese mail order outfits that are relatively easy to deal with. The Kato system is very expensive and as of yet does not offer turnouts, and the track radii are pretty broad for city trackage unless you are modeling contemporary light rail. Charlie Vlk
I just started some T-Trak modules after seeing some at a train show this past weekend. My end, turn around modules, are in one piece making them 29" wide. I made them about 18" deep so that there could be a piece of straight track at the edge rather than entering the module on a curved piece. The straight modules are 24" wide but rather than 8 1/4" deep I made them 29"deep. Thus making the straight module double wide and the same depth as the end modules' widths. There is a pair of tracks on each side exiting off the module where other regular T-Trak modules would join. I hope this makes sense. I probably will never belong to a group/club doing T-Trak so I took these "liberties". I use 64mm Unitrak pieces at the edges of the modules to join modules and Peco and Atlas flex track between. All track segments on each module are soldered. The modules themselves are made from 2" foam and 3/4" square pine strips around the bottom perimeter. 10-32 bolts into tee nuts are used for leveling. One addition I used because the modules are large is to put wood screws into the sides (woodframe) 3" from the ends. These act as pegs over which I put rubber bands to help keep the modules together. I really am interested in running passenger trains with very little switching so I have the two basic loops with two connections between them. There will also be a turnout off the inner loop to a staging yard of a couple of tracks. Scenery is still in the planning stage. Again I hope this makes sense. This T-Trak stuff is pretty cool and heck maybe I will make a couple of modules that "follow" the rules and see about linking with some organized group.
There are several pages in the latest issue of Japanese magazine RM Models of photos of modules from this years JAM convention. There are some very nice looking modules being done there.
Good Luck in your new venture into T-Trak You may consider joining the "N-Scale T-Trak" Trainboard Group. We enjoy having newcomers introduce themselves and share their ideas. So come on board.
Alone in a Sea of HO HO Not to fret, Since you have a few N Scalers near you.... Its very easy to get them into T-Trak. It doesn't take much to make up a few modules. Since you already made a few yourself... show them how easy it is. Steer them to the T-Trak.org or http://t-trak.cincy.home.insightbb.com/ websites for info. One of them even has a bill of material for building one. Bill l:thumbs_up:
Bill- I've been trying for years to get some modular interest going here. Be it NTrak, now T-Trak. And I shall persist. But most folks seem to prefer being lone wolves. Even the large HO population only has a small club and round robin after so many decades. My hobby shop is good about keeping me in mind and remembering to mention my interests. I did find one fellow considering building an On30 module... Boxcab E50
Keep up the Good Work, Boxcab Ideally, you are in a great position to promote T-Trak. Keep up the good work. I'll do my share. Promote Trainboard and T-Trak Group at your shop. My Club North Texas T-Trak promote T-Trak through Shows and Conventions and Websites like Trainboard.
Further to this, the rest of Europe has kicked up a gear. Bernhard Roll reports that T-TRAK got a great reception at the European N-scale Convention in Stuttgart last weekend. There were modules from 3 countries which were assembled in 3 different configurations over the 4 days. There are commitments from clubs in 10 countries to bring modules in 2011. They are using the Australian T-TRAK standard. Cheers David
I intend to keep poking and prodding. The fellow at that local hobby shop is really good at remembering my interests. And in turn I try to throw business and customers his way whenever possible. Boxcab E50
Just for fun- My modeling work bench is covered with T-Trak stuff right now. A photo attached. At left is one of the standard 12" modules almost finished. An "alternate" corner module, upside down is ready to have clamps removed and then painting. Boxcab E50
Oh yes. But I tend to overflow. So the dining table is also covered right now. However, tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I'll probably be forced to vacate for the day. Boxcab E50
Like to know more about the T-Trak Clubs in Europe Dave, I'd like to know more about T-Trak Clubs in Europe... I go to Germany every few years to visit with Family. Each time I go there I make a pilgrimage to a Train Shop in Hildesheim and bring back something Special. Last time I bought a Fleischmann ICE-T Train.... Everytime I run it at a T-Trak Show it draws a lot of Interest. I would love to attend a T-Trak Convention in Germany. Thanks for sharing that Dave. Bill :thumbs_up:
It wasn't a T-TRAK convention, it was the European N Scale Convention run by N Club International. T-TRAK was a small part of it. (The biggest part was a 200 module NTRAK layout with modules from 10 countries!). If you speak German the place to start would probably be the German language T-TRAK Yahoo Group. T-TRAK_in_deutsch : T-TRAK in deutsch für Europa Cheers David
