This old man got back into "TRAINS" something over a year ago and this time in N scale for the usual "More in the same space" reason. Had received the suggestion from my wife of 50 years to use one corner of the living room. That's right it was HER suggestion. Formulated a plan that I thought would last the rest of my life and then I read about T-TRAK. now at my age and with Arthur-itis and other things working on my person it sounded GOOD. All work can be done at the work bench. No more getting down on the floor. No more solder on the eye glasses. No more little holes burned in shirts. You all know--you've been there. There are limitations to modules as small as the sizes published but revisions can be made as long as the basic track location is maintained at the edge of each module. E-mailes Jim FitzGerald of N-TRAK "ntrak@tcsn.net" and got the particulars on T-TRAK modules. After reviewing what he sent I got back with him about a few revisions I came up with and had favorable reply from him. At this point I have completed (?) six modules-- 4 corners and two straights. That gives me an oval about 30" wide and 38" long. Double tracked oval and nothing more at this point. Next module will be 36-1/2" long w/double crossover and a refinery/tank farm/fuel distribution plant including oil pump. Seeking others interested in this format, particularly anyone living in north west lower Michigan (Traverse City vacinity). Will sell module component kits, if there is any interest, since 1/4" 5 ply Baltic Birch plywood is not always easy to come by and I'm sure that not all modelers have the shop equipment needed to cut a 5x5 sheet of plywood. This is not a for profit thing -- just as long as I get my costs back. Have a few pix to share when I search out how to enter them. Richard (Dick) G Hein [ 29. July 2003, 19:58: Message edited by: Richard G Hein ]
Hello Dick, a warm welcome to Trainboard Sounds like you have a very understanding wife there! T-TRAK sounds interesting, what are the standards? Like N Trak but smaller? We have some members in Michigan, but not sure about the north west. We visited Traverse City when we came to Michigan on a family holiday back in 1985. Very nice area! I look forward to seeing pictures of your modules.
Richard, Welcome to Trainboard your project looks quite interesting. I look forward to seeing pictures of your project. I have set up your account on railimages if you have a problem let me know and i will help you load the pics.
Dick,welcome to Trainboard from another Michiganian.I'm abit to far south of you to visit ,but I am interested in your T track module kits.I may be able to sell a few for you in West Michigan. Why don't you e-mail or pm me with some prices? Again welcome to Trainboard there are some GREAT people here.
Is there still interest in T-Trak modules in this message board. We are starting a new T-trak layout here in Houston. Looking for interested folks here and looking to see what others are doing elsewhere. Kelly R. Northwest Crossing MRRC Ho, N and Z scale modular layouts Soon to have a Table Top Layout
T-Trak was developed in Japan as a modification of Ntrak. The primary consideration was the need for portability of modules. In the U.S. the most common size module is four feet by two feet. This is easily transported in the back seat of a privately owned automobile. In Japan the population relies more on public transortation which is usually crowded. Therefore, the module size was reduced to two feet by two feet so one could transport it on public transportation by resting it on one's lap. Also legs were eliminated and leveling screws were attached to the actual module. The modules are then set up on tables. While the size aids in portability it creates a hassle for set up as bridge tracks are needed every two feet rather than every four. Setting up large layouts is very time consuming. Due to recent changes in the amount of time local arenas allow for set up I am I am trying to get our club to adopt the six foot module as our standard. This can be easily loaded into a minivan or sport utility vehicle. But the four foot module still is, by far, the more numerous.
Where at in Houston? Northwest is an awfully long way... I'm down in the Clear Lake area.... BUT... If it looks entertaining enough, a once in awhile journey may happen...
I'm also interested in T-trak i nthe Houston area! I live in Beaumont, but travel to houston a lot! So if anyone has info on t-track in Houston, please pass it along!
Please contact me on my Yahoo address krussl@yahoo.com about the t-trak layout at the GATS show Sept 6-7 krussl@yahoo.com
