N Scale T-Trak

A friend and I will be running our modules for the first time at the Melbourne, Florida show on June 1st so I have a week to get some minimal scenery on my 2 double straight modules. They will go like this with my 2 curved modules to the left.



I’m trying to get an idea of what will fit and look decent. As I look at the pictures I’m thinking the DQ will go next to the gas station in the bottom photo. The road will continue on to the right side of the module in the first photo, the station will move to the left edge of the module and the 4 houses move to the right at an angle as the road goes from near the tracks on the right to the back (behind the station) on the right. I have a little (very little) time to figure this out.

 

I suggest using short doubletrack sections at the module boundaries. They ensure correct track spacing, and can be more robustly attached to the module base. The short sections also facilitate easier replacement should one be damaged. You can blacken the concrete ties on the doubletrack if you wish.

 

Using double track on modules would make laying the track easier. I used the blue railing ramp to make sure the spacing was correct and screwed the track down. After the modules are assembled and broken down many times I will have to replace the Unijoiners but the track isn’t going anywhere.

 

I’ve got the streets down and the buildings placed. I added some vehicles to get a better feel for how it will look. I’m pretty sure I’ll have this one done for the show this Saturday.



More to come as I make progress.

 

Perfect spot for the gas station. Maybe back the DQ up a bit for more standing room in front of it?

 

I might either swap the gas station & DQ, or rotate the gas station to have both pump islands facing streets .

Good selection of structures!

 

Thanks for the suggestion, Deacon. Moving the DQ back a little is a good idea.

 

Thanks Andy, I’ll give it a try.

 

Thanks Boxcab, I’ll give it a try and see if I like it.

 

My friend Jeff and I had our modules running for the first time today at the Melbourne show. Setup took about 15 minutes. The trains ran flawlessly and we got to talk trains, N scale and T-Trak with a number of attendees. It was a good day.

This is the modules as they are now. We should have them fully scenicked in time for the September show.

 

The DQ/gas station placement turned out well, the modules look great.

 

From the previous picture, I thought the left side of the gas station was another pump island (that would normally face another street.)

Apparently not; my bad.

 

I might have already asked this, what are the roads? That Easy Street stuff or whatever it is called? Modules look great together, y'all do great work

 

Thanks Deacon. We had a lot of fun and most viewers understood that the modules are a work in progress and would look a lot better when we do the September show.

It’s OK, Andy. The gas station only has two 2 islands in the front.

Thanks in2tech. The roads are made by Busch. It has an adhesive backing so it is self sticking. It’s flexible so you can bend it to form curves. I used their curved pieces for the sharp curves but will bend it for gentler curves. I tried to upload a picture of the package but TB won’t allow me to do that right now. If you search for Busch N Scale roads you will find it.

 

Whatever the glitch was it’s better now. This is some of the Busch road products.

 

I see you used the Marklin screw attachment method. I love securing my track that way and now that's the only way I do it on hard under track setups. Good looking modules.

 

Thanks Massey. I didn’t know that was the Marklin method. Jeff and I discussed it beforehand and decided that was the best way to secure the track.

 

I found this out on a YouTube vid a few years ago and I have been doing that ever since.

 

I found these Hefty bins at Walmart for $14.98 each. They are just the right size to hold 2 curve, 2 single straights or 1 double straight. They will make storing and transporting my modules much easier.