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A T-TRAK Feast
Since the conception of the small modular idea in 2000 and the
international introduction in 2001, model railroading has
experienced a welcome renewal of interest and an easier
avenue for modelers of all ages to join together in a fine hobby.
I drew the "T-TRAK Feast Table" in 2003 for the NTRAK
Newsletter, which showed the great progress T-TRAK had
made in growth, spanning continents to unite modelers. Many
new ideas have been encouraged and the T-TRAK concept
continues to grow.
Join in the fun!
We have a "pdf" file that can be downloaded and opened with
Acrobat Reader.
Please Click Here to download the latest T-TRAK Data sheet,
for a more compact 2 side printable format.
A free download of Acrobat Reader is available at: www.adobe.com
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T-TRAK Module Base Construction
Note: Very Important Dimension
The T-TRAK bases are a simple construction
project,
since they are only 8-1/4" x 12-1/8" x 2-3/4"
high, adjustable with bolts. Some
1/4" plywood and some 3/4" thick boards, or molding
available at home centers, takes care of the wood
parts. The bases are glued together and could be held
with clamps, weights or small nails, if needed, while the
glue sets up. Use a good wood glue.
Note: With thinner plywood, glue blocks in the
middle may be needed.
Metal thread inserts are available as screw-in or press-in (shown) type.
Note: Assemble as above and let the glue setup before the next step.
Adjust length of side pieces to account for ply thickness and if back has plywood.
Module tops should be 8-1/4" minimum and no larger than the corners used.
The bolts would be needed for leveling or adjusting from the 2-3/4" Standard Height on your table or to compensate for scenery and building variances at shows, to a maximum height of 4”, if needed.
The back can be open as shown or can have a
fourth side or a skyboard.
Tip: For adjusting bolts for many modules at shows,
then use a power screw driver with a short
length of clear soft plastic tubing, about 1/2"
diameter, added to one of the driver bits.
By just pressing this against the head of the
carriage bolt adjusting screw, it made
running it in or out quite easy.
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Track for your Module
Kato Unitrack® is used for the two mainlines. The locking rail joiners hold the modules together on a table top. No clamps are needed and the track power is furnished through track sections with a feeder wire. The track sections without the feeder wires are less expensive.
For Electrical Power
One module should have #20-041 feeder tracks which have Blue & White connector wires. Placing these short track pieces, as shown, will place the right blue wire on the front rail , front track and the left blue wire on the back rail, back track. The polarity is then the same for everyone. This is the trouble-free standard for track power, to date.
“BLUE to Outer Rails”.
The holes for the wires are placed 1-3/4” in from the edge of the module to allow access for socket replacement and keep them free of the joining area. No measurable resistance was found up to a 30’ layout of modules tested.
The combination of a 9-3/4" long straight (20-000) and a 2-7/16" (20-040 or 041) straight is used for each of the two main tracks. These will hang over about 1/32" at each end. This allows the joiners to fully engage. If the base is too long or the ends not square, there could be trouble keeping the modules together.
"T-TRAK" Basic Track Spacing, 25 mm
For trolleys, 4 axle diesels
and small steam engines.
Glue the outer track in place
first, locating it 1-1/2”
in from the front edges of the module.
You may use your choice of a good wood glue and use
weights to hold in place until dry. Gluing
extra ballast will help keep the track in position.
Then put down the second track. Tracks may be nailed in place. With a small drill, close to the size of the rail spikes, (Atlas spikes work well). Drill through the support holes from the bottom of the track sections. Carefully position the track before nailing.
Then put down the second track. Tracks may be nailed in place. With a small drill, close to the size of the rail spikes, (Atlas spikes work well). Drill through the support holes from the bottom of the track sections. Carefully position the track before nailing.
"T-TRAK" Alternate Track Spacing, 33 mm
For large passenger cars, 6 axle diesels
and large steam engines.
Note: To get the correct track centers, so that all Alternate T-TRAK modules
can interchange, use very careful measurements. The Kato #24-000 Rerailer has notches that fit the rail tops and give the 33mm track spacing.
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T-TRAK N Corner Module
New Track Centers
The diagram below shows the Basic Track spacing for trolleys, FOUR AXLE diesels and small steam engines and Alternate Track spacing for long passenger cars, SIX AXLE diesels and large steam engines. The spacing option will give a greater choice. Note the difference in corner base sizes. Construction is the same. Both Basic and Alternate plans use the same sizes of straight bases. The difference is that the track centers are 1-5/16" ( 33 mm) apart for the Alternate track. This is the same spacing used by Kato for their turnouts, dual track station track and viaduct track. The Kato #24-000 Rerailer has notches that fit the rail tops and give the 33mm track spacing.
Corner modules
Note: Use blocks in all four corners and small glue blocks on all four sides.
Note: Use blocks in all four corners and small glue blocks on all four sides.
4 pcs Kato Unitrack #20-170
2 pcs Kato Unitrack #20-120
3 pcs from Assortment #20-091 2 pcs Kato Unitrack #20-110
3 pcs from Assortment #20-091 2 pcs Kato Unitrack #20-110
While Kato Unitrack® is suggested, if you can cut track, flextrack can be used for the corner modules, Kato makes an adapter track, (#20-045), to flextrack. You will need to shim up the flextrack to match the height of the Unitrack. Some cork roadbed is just the right thickness.
The new Unitrack® 8-1/2” radius curved track #20-170 works out quite well for the Basic T-TRAK corner modules. For the outside track you add a 45.5mm (1-3/4”) straight piece at each end. There are two of these pieces in the #20-091 track assortment. From the same assortment you use one of the 29mm (1-1/8”) pieces. This goes in the center between the other two curved track sections and is for the inner track. Have the ends of the track extend about 1/32” beyond the ends.
The Alternate T-TRAK corner module uses standard 20-120, 12-3/8" R and 20-110, 11" R Unitrack curved track sections. These have a uniform 1-5/16" (33mm) centers between tracks. The Kato #24-000 Rerailer has notches that fit the rail tops and give the 33mm track spacing.
Glue the outer track in place first, locating it 1-1/2” in from the front edges of the module. You may use your choice of a good wood glue and use weights to hold in place until dry. Gluing extra ballast will help keep the track in position.
Then put down the second track. Tracks may be nailed in place. With a small drill, close to the size of the rail spikes, (Atlas spikes work well.) drill through the support holes from the bottom of the track sections. Carefully position the track before nailing.
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Modules - Double, Deeper, Transition
Widths on the following are adjustable, and should not exceed the size of your corners. Double module length is 24-5/16’. Length is determined by actual length of track used, less 1/32" at each end for full locking of rail joiners.
The two corners can be built as one section for a
180 degree module 28-3/4" x 14-3/8".
Shown above are both a double deep straight module and a
combination of a corner and a straight for special scenery uses.
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Transition Modules
Transition modules will allow both type modules to be
joined in the same layout at a show.
An opposite module would also be needed.
These modules are only needed when mixing the two types of
modules in one layout. Bases and measurements must
be accurate. If you have a problem and need an
adjustment, try filing the corners as shown.
The 64 mm track section is #20-030 and is also
in the turnout package #20-220 and 221.
The upper track shows a transition made with five each
#20-040, 62 mm Kato straight sections carefully placed,
to curve slightly and distribute the fractional difference.
Note: The Basic track spacing is 25 mm for trolleys and 4 axle engines.
They run fine over both Basic and Alternate spaced tracks.
However, larger cars and engines will hang over the Basic 25 mm corners.
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Longer Straight Modules ???
Triple - 36-1/2” long and Quad - 48-3/4” lengths are possible
but they will quickly use up table space. You start to creep
back to the size of larger modules. This is fine for certain
applications for club, home or whatever you may have
in mind to try. Note: The length of a longer module is
the actual length of the track less 1/32" at the ends of
the longer module for proper seating of the rail joiners.
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T-TRAK for many Scales
.
At shows, I have displays to suggest T-TRAK
for other scales, from Z to G. The photo
shows HO, N scale, and Z scale (Nn3).
The stations are placed on the bases to help
identify the differences in scales.
The Module sizes are determined by actual
length of track used, less 1/32" at each end,
for full locking of rail joiners. Flextrack uses
regular joiners.
Other scales are interested and then
they too, can have choices to develop
under individual identities with T-TRAK.
Also shown, are displays for Manufacturers,
Collectors, Shelf, Curved Cloud Skyboards
and Base Construction.
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Layout Examples
A Starter T-TRAK Basic Layout
24-1/2" x 36-5/8" 620 mm x 928 mm
A T-TRAK Layout for a 6' x 30" folding table.
#1 Demonstration Layout with Basic (25 mm) track spacing on an 8' x 30"
folding table. Each end uses special modules for the scenery theme.
#2 Demonstration Layout with Alternate (33 mm) track spacing on an
8' x 30" folding table. The larger modules allow for complex scenery.
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Inside Corners
For "L" or "U" Layouts
For "L" or "U" Layouts
Flextrack is the easiest way to build a Basic (25 mm) Track spacing
inside corner. Use four of the Kato conversion adapter tracks #20-045.
Using all Kato track would mean cutting some pieces to special lengths.
The Alternate Inside Corner uses the 11"R and
12-3/8"R track used for the outside corners
with the addition of 1-1/8" straight pieces (from the
Assortment pack) to fit in the center of each curve.
An "L" or "U" layout is made with regular corners in
addition to special "Inside Corners".
Without getting into all the math, the drawing A shows a
regular corner put in place on a minimum "L" type layout
and the track gaps left in the layout. Drawing B shows the
solution with a special inside corner. The gaps are different
for a layout using the Basic (25 mm) track spacing or the
Alternate (33 mm) track spacing, The drawings above
show a solution for each of the sizes.
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Layout using a special Inside Corner with Alternate track spacing.
The straight modules are all 12" deep. The layout can be
expanded in both directions with additional straight modules.
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A "U" shaped Alternate Spacing layout using two inside
corner modules. The layout can be made longer with
additional modules on either leg or between the inside corners.
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Junction Modules
Introducing the New
“Junction Module Layout”
using T-TRAK Alternate Standards
Steve Jackson built two junction modules, one 180 degree end (two corners), two regular corners and two straight modules.
In our discussions, I suggested we present a T-TRAK Junction Layout at Chantilly. With Steve’s modules as the foundation, other Alternate Standard Modules were added and a new facet of T-TRAK modeling was created.
Note: This can be done in the Basic Standard, also.
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A FUTURE LAYOUT FOR T-TRAK
“T-TRAK Diamond Mill”
The junction module idea began with the “Diamond Mill” layout at the Valley Forge, Pa. Convention in 1993. Dave Savage and Paul Miller, members of the DARN Club in Delaware, worked out the idea and plans for the layout. It was an innovative idea for model railroading.
From the center spines, many variations can be designed to accommodate a number of clubs. The Northern Virginia Club was inspired by the “Diamond Mill” for the 1996 Convention.
Please refer to the “N TRAK 'How-to' Book” regarding Junction Modules and other plans that can be adapted for T-TRAK.
I exhibited N TRAK modules at that convention, also. It was a great thrill to be part of the excitement and watch operations, as well as the large crowds’ enjoyment.
This is certainly a possibility and something to look forward to, as T-TRAK grows.
As more modelers join in at shows, many design plans are possible. Just think of the arrangements you can do at home, too.
Setting up T-TRAK is fast and easy and should be ready to run in a reasonably short time, while the rest of the show is still organizing.
Another "U" Layout
Using 2 standard folding tables--8’ x 30” with two junction
modules, as shown, you will have a junction layout---
compact for smaller areas, and yet, very expandable.
“ Here is T-TRAK in the Future”
T-TRAK will grow with modelers planning many
styles of layouts. Individual tables, Square,
Rectangular, “U”, “L” and other varied
“Alphabet” shaped layouts, Junction, The
Diamond Mill, (Valley Forge, Pa.). There
is no limit to the imaginable idea.
The layout can expand in overall width and
length and space in between the extended
tables for the people, depending on the
alloted space available.
Unlike a standard layout, with center work
tables and seats for the operators, this
is one plan that accommodates the
T-TRAK Engineers. Throttles can be
placed with operation in the inner area,
you will still be able to walk out to mingle
with the public. No crawling under modules.
The best part is the opportunity for many, many
modelers to gather and promote model
railroading and fun for more people.
When I first saw that bare craft board and track,
I knew that was the answer for many situations.
Enjoy T-TRAK,
Lee
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T-TRAK, 1150 Wine Country Place, Templeton, CA 93465 (805) 434-5058 Lee@T-TRAK.org
© 2001-2005 Lee Monaco-FitzGerald
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