I am a member of Central Ohio N-trak, I ordered the TEE layout (diagram found under module sets) and put together the modules, 8 19R corners, 2 quads, 2 triples, 2 doubles, and 2 singles; I and other club members are currently in the process of putting down the scenery, Then for the club, I ordered an additional 2 singles with depressed deck for 1" of styrofoam. All went together very easily following their instructions. Also, ordered skyboards for all the modules. All I can state is that if I or the club ever need additional modules, we will order them from MasterPiece Modules. Hopefully, the modules will have the full scenery down and be on display at the 10th Ohio N-scale Weekend, Franklin County Fairgrounds, Hilliard, OH, on May 18/19/20, 2018. later, Craig
Thanks, Craig. I have been looking at the MM web site. Those sure look like simple assembly. Might order a couple as Christmas gifts for myself.
Both companies produce quality kits... T-Kits, however, is the only one of the two that also offer the electrical components ( preassembled), that allow you to actually run trains...track feeders, bus wires, bus taps, ac accessory plugs and buswire, etc... Every one of my modules is a T-Kit kit ( except for my 2' ' concrete art deco bridge which is a Red River Models- Marshall Shops kit). One of the other members in my immediate group has only used Masterpiece Modules kits...both of them are great products and are easy to assemble. I do see myself buying one or two Masterpiece Modules in the near future, but again, unless I want to construct my own electrical plugs, taps, and buswires, I'll be using the T-kits products ( BTW, Terry provides them as a loss leader- it's cheaper for me to buy the electrical from him, already assembled, than it is to purchase my own parts and assemble them) ~Bruce
First steps toward the layout were taken today. Ordered the two single wide modules from Masterpiece Modules and ordered the Kato track that will go on these modules. Will start posting pictures here after they arrive and on my blog, http://woodlandcentral.blogspot.com/. Can't wait to get started. Here's the updated plan: Regards, Charles
Received the 2 single wide modules today from Masterpiece Modules, ordered on Monday and received by Friday. Despite how USPS handled the package the contents seem okay. Unfortunately due to weather conditions and high volume of ordering , the track for these modules probably won't arrive for another week. I will get busy assembling the modules sometime this weekend.
One suggestion before you assemble the Masterpiece kits: watch the video on their website. I have used it with a T-Trak class that I teach at a local community college and it is very helpful. ENJOY.
Good advice for everyone. I had watched the video several times before I even considered ordering from Dave. Regards, Charles
If anyone is interested I have attached my final plan with part numbers. You will notice that there are a couple of areas that I have indicated part number 20026 to go in place of 20020's. This is because the track library of AnyRail has not been updated with new Kato Unitrack parts. The 20026 is the new rerailer track that is replacing the 20021 road crossing which is discontinued by Kato. I have a couple of sets of the 20026 ordered and on the way, so a previous post I had about the 20021 has now become a moot point. Kato also has some curved plate girder bridges available and in March 2018 they are releasing 2 new versions of the bumper track. The 20063 (type A) and the 20064 (type C) will have an illuminated signal that operates off of track power and DCC compatible. Also these two will be 66mm in length as opposed to the current type A and C which are 50.5mm. Regards, Charles
Finally had the chance to unwrap the two single modules that I ordered from Masterpiece Modules. To keep postage costs down, Dave shrunk wrapped the two together and shipped as one package. A nice thing he did if you can notice in the picture is he labeled each piece with a matching serial number so as not to mix the parts between both kits. The other image shows the accessories package that ships with the kits. Everything is included. The first thing I have done is to remove all of the "fuzzies" with the included sandpaper. Hopefully I can start assembly sometime today after some appointments I have. Regards, Charles
Do you have the official Kato T-TRAK caboose? Commissioned over 12 years ago, by Jim Fitzgerald(?), and has been a part of official T-TRAK merchandise, in addition to embroidered patches and lapel pins, available, still, in the NTRAK webstore, on NTRAK's website. Get yours while they are still available!!! (they're going fast!) ~Bruce
I have tried ordering but PayPal keeps saying "Things don't appear to be working at the moment. Please try again later." Regards, Charles
I guess persistence pays off. Finally was able to place the order for the T-Trak caboose. Regards, Charles
The inside corner is coming along (I had not intended to really get going on this except that I was confronted with the great amount of space given to me at Kato's booth at the WGH Show in Houston in 8 days! I've finished the boulder, rock, and field stone, and now starting on the the juniper bushes, grass tufts, and other small flora...
Hi Charles and others, I'm an old skool DC guy. If the new illuminated bumpers are connected to DC at very low track voltage, do they still glow nicely? I'm hoping that these are lit by LEDs and will glow at an even brightness at any track voltage. These might be fun to add.
Hardcoaler, I'm not sure but will be interesting to see. They are scheduled to be released in March 2018 according to Kato USA's web site. I can't find any other info other than what is listed on their web site.
Perhaps a site update? I know it was working for me first thing this morning. I had sent an email to Terry this morning on another matter but no reply as of yet which sometimes he doesn't get back to me until later in the day. All I can say is be patient. Regards, Charles