NorthWest NTRAK (Palatine, IL northwest suburb of Chicago) had a pleasant visit this weekend from its sister club, ANR (roughly, a play on All Nipon Airways translating to American N Scale Modelers) from Tokyo, Japan. Eight clubmembers joined NWNTRAK and Jim Fitgerald and Lee Monaco (stopping off on their way to Richmond uNcoNveNtioN next weekend). Good exchange of ideas and sharing of common passion for N Scale modeling was enjoyed by all with no consideration of language differences. Lee set up her table full of T-TRAK modules which may inspire NW NTRAK to start another project! The ANR club was only in town for a short visit (flying time to and from Tokyo exceeded their waking hours in Chicago!) but we were honored that they came to visit us and look forward to future exchanges! Charlie
On the matter of the T-Trak modules, do you happen to know the actual specs or know where one might get them?
I have been avoiding building T-TRAK modules as I need another distraction from working on my layout like I need another hole in my head! The upcoming release of the CTA 6000 series (PCC "EL" cars) is going to be hard to ignore. I am thinking about doing a set of modules with "EL" structure on them, with eventually a elevated structure to subway ramp. I have some of the Modemo Brill cars which mightily resemble the Aurora & Elgin steel cars. Now, if the 6000s are followed up by North Shore coaches and combines, and ConCor does the Electroliner in N, my goose is truly cooked!!! Charlie
I remember back in the mid 90's having a Japanese engineer visit the US for a week. We had a difficult time communicating due to the language differences. One morning I brought in a Model Railroader that featured George Sellios' fabulous Franklin & S. Manchester. It was very easy to understand all the "ooohs and aaaaahs", the smiles and body language. I let him keep that issue and about three or so weeks later he mailed me a couple of Japanese model railroading magazines. All the word were in Japanese characters but I still was able to enjoy the issues. Our hobby is a great bridge between cultures!
On my first trip to Japan the ANR club was doing a trial set up of their modules at the Kato factory. I was sitting there observing the usual hubbub of a settup (who has my pliers!! where are the rail joiners!!! where does this go!!!) and was startled to hear somebody right next to me speak Japanese to someone else nearby! I had zoned out and completely forgot that I wasn't at a NorthWest NTRAK setup, but a few thousand miles and a whole culture away from Illinois!!! The hobby of model railroading is a universal bond. I speak ZERO Japanese, but was at a dinner discussing module interface standards with a bunch of guys who didn't speak too much English....but somehow, with pictures drawn on napkins, we had a really fine evening. Our style of modeling and layouts is transcended by a common passion for Model Railroading. I have found this to be true with people from England, France, Germany, Japan, the Czech Republic.....wherever there are Model Railroaders. Thats why they call it The World's Greatest Hobby!!! Charlie
