I started building a layout planning to utilize the N-track modules as an intergrated part of it. However, since I eventually plan to have DCC I don't think that I will isolate each track as N-trak requires. I think that I will just build them as I think will work best for me and forget N-trak. Or, maybe I'll build one or two modules that could be compatible with N-trak in case they come to town. (Not a chance--I live in a town of 650 people.) What do you see as the direction N-trak will go in the future? Do you see N-trak going to all DCC and doing away with some of the limitations that the current design? Will there continue to be a group of N-trak supporters that will hang on to the established norm or will a NEW N-trak group form separately that will operate using DCC and a simplified wiring system? Now that there is the new technology, I just can't see the old standards holding the interest of the new members. What are your thoughts?
I do not think Ntrak and DCC are incompatible. The basic Ntrak setup is DCC ready as it is DC ready. If other clubs are like the one I am affiliated with there are a percentage of members who like to run long trains with umpteen power units in the front with slaves in the middle and the rest of their roster pushing from the rear. With this lashup you would be hard pressed to operate a train on the same track. At one time we had a sort of tongue-in-cheek rule that a train could only occupy three corners on a rectangular layout. Our club has a lot of older members with a lot of older equipment that would be cost prohibitive to convert to DCC. I'm sure there are other Ntrak clubs in the same boat. Still we allow those who want to run DCC do so as long as their track is isolated from the other two (no crossovers or turnouts in the yards between the three main tracks) So I do not think this would be an issue. Now with the Onetrak concept compatibility is obviously an issue. One trak is geared more for DCC operation than regular DC.
It probably wont make any difference soon. Give it a couple of years guys, N Scale is still "new" to most of the older hogs, who will pass on, leaving all their DC equipment to be fought over at Antique Auctions. The old folks want to "run" the trains because they grew up in the days when the Engineer was a Hero, and the engines were dangerous monsters that took skill to control. Most of the younger crowd is educated more deeply into electronics, and is being born with tiny fingers and big eyes to see the DCC stuff way down inside those tiny N sized engines anyway. The problem I see is not DC or DCC, it is going to be the remote computer control in the next couple of years. There wont be engineers soon, so what are you modeling? All you will do is program the layout, click "GO" and go off to school. The layout wont need you to run it. You would get bored anyway because all you will see is a BLIP and the train is gone! We are looking at 300 to 350 mph for robotic freight! Pasenger travel will suck your eyes back into your ears! It was my job to design some of that, sorry. (Well not really, it payed very well!!
This is just a quick response to the post, I believe the soloution to the Module problem is not a simple one, I do not want to go down that road. I hope this information helps someone. My friend Roger and I built an exhibition layout based on the link below. The layout is DCC and DC ready, all turnouts are controlled by switch decoders and operated by Tortoise machines. The layout is easily transportble in a 7' x 4' trailer and I place a corner module in my pick up. The layout consists of three 6' straight sections one 4' and two end modules that split in two. The best bet is to have a look at the link below, We likeand it works for us. Bend Track
