Recently, I have been re-evaluating my layout plans to better reflect reality. In this day and age people seem to be moving more often and the likelihood of building a lifetime home layout appears less and less likely. For a number of years I have been considering build a modular home layout similar to N-Trak standards. Has anyone here had this experience ie. using NTrak modules for their home layout, What do you think? Has it served you well? Have others of you considered this approach? Why did you or did you not choose it? Thanks for your sage comments.
It can work well Grant. If your intent is to be able to move the modules several times without damage, then you must build them properly for this. Remember, some modules made for shows, move quite well, but it takes two people to pack them, and set up at the next place. N scale is excellent for this. One suggestion: Do provide an "Inlet" and an "Outlet" track to the specs. to fit a Standard N scale Module. You will probably find you want to set up at a show, and be a part of a Club Module Layout there. Wouldn't that be fun? You might be the only one to have his whole layout there, and look at the Main Line you could have! Mine is presently Modular, but it is HO. I have another that is portable, but I'm running on it while I build this Last big one. Enjoy.
Having been an NTRAKer for 9 years now I can see the advantages in a modular home layout. I would not reccomend doing an NTRAK layout for a home layout unless you were going to take it to shows too.As nice as NTRAK is,it is not very prototypical in appearance.
I am presently building a standard N-Scale layout in a spare room I have. However, as soon my daughter and her kids move out of my downstairs area, I will have a huge room just for trains (and a pool table). I plan on doing NTrak there for two reasons. If I get tired of the way my tings are working together, I can just swap the modules around. And 2, the only active N-Scale clubs in this area are NTrak. I also hope to put in some HOTrak modules (it's a big room!! 14x22 with access to an additional 750 square feet).
Actually Catt, N-Trak Modules CAN look prototypical, depends on WHERE the module is set and how you place your mains from the start and to the end of your modules. As long as you have the standard track settings on the outside ends, you can do whatever you want on your part of the modules. Some mainlines (UP and BNSF) are infact, triple tracked now. It also depends on how you use them in your home layout. If I end up using my modules on my home layout, they will only be a portion of the layout. This means the layout will only be partly to N-Trak standards. I will use "module construction" or "Dave's Dominos" for the rest of the layout. [ 23 February 2001: Message edited by: Maxwell Plant ]
Depends on where you model Mr.Plant. There are no 3 track mains running through West Mich.Up until the time I built my last two modules (note the word last) I've always built in pairs with the outer ends being compatible with NTRAK standards.I'm getting rather tired of NTRAK 3 track main layouts myself and this will most likely be my last year for it. [ 23 February 2001: Message edited by: Catt ] [ 23 February 2001: Message edited by: Catt ]
Just so I am not missunderstood.... I meant that you could use the NTrak SIZE modules for your home layout, (grouped side to side and end to end, or a "T" etc). But suggested you have the standard mating off-layout tracks somewhere so you could also connect with standard modules at a show. I saw three or four modules that were made to stack side by side, but had the three standard NTrak tracks running across one end at 90 degrees to the length. There was a turnout that lead into the rest of one of these where a whole industrial diorama was made. The total width of these stacked modules equaled the length of standard NTrak modules, so the diorama would fit OK.
My SFSW is based on the NTrak concept in that it is completely modular, but I am building it in a semi-permanent fasion. So far it has worked out really well and I am really starting to focus on module 1 detail, before moving to module 2 etc. Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Catt: Depends on where you model Mr.Plant... Yes, I think I said that. Not many Three Track Mains in real life this side of the Mississippi. I'm getting rather tired of NTRAK 3 track main layouts myself and this will most likely be my last year for it. Try Twin-Trak or oNe-Trak, that's my next module move. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Grant and all, After some evalution of my own, I am moving toward a modular layout as well. Good luck Grant and keep us posted(with pics). [ 24 February 2001: Message edited by: rgn1 ]
Having a full "traditional" (4 corners plus straight modules inserted between) NTRAK layout at home can use a lot of space and a lot of resources. Most modelers don't have the space or funds to do all of that on a grand scale at home. Many NTRAKers I've known incorporate one or two straight modules into their "regular" home layouts via the NTRAK standard interface. So they can take their modules to NTRAK meets and use them at home. As noted above there are some other N modular concepts out there. These are all posted on the NTRAK interchange page at this URL http://www.ntrak.org/ntkichng.html N Joy Don Brown Tucson AZ USA
Looks like mixed reviews for using the NTrak standard on a home layout. I have to agree out west there is not a lot of triple tracked mainline or double tracked for that matter. It would appear there is a general consensus that making a layout modular is a good idea. There does seem to be some real advatages here. The layout can grow as modules are completed if there is a standard interface. Most or all of the work can be done at the workbench which is a great plus if you have ever tried wiring up a large home layout. Any other thoughts guys? What has been said thus far is certainly food for thought.
I have incorporated 2 N-Trak modules in my home layout. I have 2 4ft. modules that are 30 in. wide. the front of the modules when displayed with my N-Trak club are turned backwards for my home layout so I get 2 different perspectives. These 2 modules are my yards. I have a large grain elevator in the middle and the tracks curve around both sides. The outer and inner main (tracks 1 and 2) come together off the modules with a turnout. The branch line (track 3) is actually connected to track one on the other side of the layout. I had to make a separate set of legs for the modules because my home layout is 52 inches high. Much higher than the N-Trak standard. Also, I have put in a spacer board at the ends of the modules where they clamp to the home layout. This allows to take the modules in or out of the home layout easily.
I am building an N-scale empire that will include various module types. With the N-trak modules I am using the third track as an industrial siding since many towns have the main and a passing siding as well as some industry. The areas next to the modules can provide either the access to the industrial siding or simply dead end at an industry if the module has already provided the crossover access needed to service the rail customer. Although using N-trak modules this way means that some station's tracks will not be exactly the same as their namesakes, it allows me to model with the benefit of removeable sections.
Suppose you looked at your module from one side, and "nested" it into your layout from the other. The three main tracks are designed to run close to the public, but many modules have their most interesting features on their "skyboard" side... When we see a home layout, the mains often hug the wall, while the operation is near the open side of the layout. A single track main can develop passing sidings, team tracks, a shoo fly, all by using turnouts on either side of the notch built into the layout benchwork for the module to "nest." This also lets the "front" of the module, the side away from the skyboard that the public sees, stay plain. The inside of the module, behind the skyboard, can still have the switches, throttle connections, etc. which are used to operate the module at shows. Maxwell knows I'm a rack planning geek; now if I can just put my mitre saw where my plans are and actually BUILD some modules!
Grant, One thing to consider is that NTrak is great in a club setting, however you don't need to be locked into that for your home layout. There are other types of modules out there such as Bend track, One track & Free-Mo to explore. All have websites and I appologize for not posting the links here, but they aren't to hard to find. I would investigate all of these possabilitys before making a decision. 2slim
What's the oNetrak/Ntrak standards differences? Where can I find a website to compare? I may do modular deal, due to my active duty military status, I will move from time to time, and will want the layout to move with me. I could make a beefy version of the module... Something that'll stand up to mover company abuse. Any other ideas?
Here is NTRAK's Interchange page.. it features links to most of the modular stuff Jen http://www.ntrak.org/ntkichng.html
