N Scale T-Trak

billmtx Oct 28, 2010

  1. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bill, I didn’t build out the frame at all beyond using the supplied LL extensions.
    I installed a very narrow strip of 1/16” foam on each side of the shell. Works like a Kato to release the chassis.
    And I cut a couple of thin strips of cardstock and glued to the top of chassis for vertical height as I felt it was a mm too low as is.

    What I did do was install a “dashboard” and rear deck lid also made from card (cut down Kato packaging in my case since green) for light control on the body since my LEDs are chassis mounted.
    Glad to take a picture tonight if it will be helpful?
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
  2. Massey

    Massey TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks!! I just got off their site and it has exactly what I am looking for!! I just wish some of the HO models were available in N but for now this will work... I only have 26" of modules atm anyway!
     
  3. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    They have made more in the past
     
  4. engineer bill

    engineer bill TrainBoard Supporter

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    yes please that would be very helpful
     
  5. Onizukachan

    Onizukachan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bill, I’ll be posting in my home thread so as not to massively derail the TTRAK thread.
    I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

    Edit: PCC update posted in my home thread. Please click the link in my sig if you haven’t visited it before.

    Here’s a teaser.

    EF907234-93BB-48A8-97B5-3F4D0B96C014.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019
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  6. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    I had six T-trak modules at the Altoona show; the newest one is an experiment as well as a test track. This is a standard T-trak triple (and I use Peco C55 on cork between Kato joiners) with a test loop of Nn3 on 5" radius oval successfully stuck in the middle. This is my test track for the Nn3 Climax kits, as well as a proving ground for Mark Graulty's code 40 tie strips and rail idea on the siding track (switches come later). The Nn3 stuff on Kato-like ballast is Rokuhan Z, including the turnout.

    Mark is working on Code 40 switches, when he gets those working I'll likely tear up all the sectional track and replace it with Code40.

    Down the road this will be an Nn3 small circular sawmill for the McCabe Lumber Company in West Hickory, PA (1904-1908) that was a pocket-sized operation with about 2 miles of track and a single 36" gauge Climax A serving a small mill alongside the PRR. Never have found a photo, locomotive was only photographed by its second owner.

    But if you want to dabble in Nn3 this is one way to do it. The cars are Showcase miniatures log cars and 25' flatcars (that one via Shapeways), and a Bachmann old-time 36' boxcar with Nn3 trucks under it. The two little ore buckets are RP printed by Mark Graulty. With the gearhead motor, the top speed of the Climax A is about 20 scale miles per hour.

    Photos by Lee Farnsworth as I was pretty distracted with the vendor booth for a couple of days.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    The other 'big news' at Altoona (at least to me) was that CMR products is offering laser-cut plywood T-trak module bases, predrilled, tab alignment, for pretty much every standard T-trak module configuration out there. With the closing of T-kits, it's good to see another vendor jumping in there to fill a need. The precut and predrilled boxes looked very nice to me. They also had all the various Anderson Powerpole components that I used to get from T-kits.

    I have my own home woodshop, so its easier for me, but for things like end turn modules that's looking better and better now that I have enough modules to almost set up my own show here.

    https://www.cmrproducts.com/store/T-TRAK-Modules-&-Accessories-c24790145
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2019
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  7. tracktoo

    tracktoo TrainBoard Member

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    For those who haven't seen @randgust 's modules, they are actual models of prototypical scenes. He shows (as do some others) what you can accomplish modelling prototypical scenes on these small modules. :cool: His execution and attention to detail is outstanding!

    For anyone interested there is more info on that Nn3 track and the Code 40 system I have been developing in the Narrow Gauge section with some introductory and development pictures including my small test track to be used testing locos and rolling stock. It has a couple of the smallest Rokuhan 55mm turnouts installed. The Code 40 track and Rokuhan turnout adapters are ready to go and the more prototypical Code 40 RTR turnouts will soon be available. The link: https://www.trainboard.com/highball...ing-a-new-nn3-code-40-flex-tie-system.124966/
     
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  8. spyder62

    spyder62 TrainBoard Member

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    Did everyone leave ? Or stop doing T track
    rich
     
  9. r_i_straw

    r_i_straw Mostly N Scale Staff Member

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    I am still here and running my T track. Just nothing new to report. I will try to post some photos of the T Track layout at the Oklahoma City Train Show coming up the first weekend in December.
     
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  10. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    Our NMRA group here in Las Cruces is trying to get up and flying with T-Trak. Most of the guys doing it are HO guys.
    Mike
     
  11. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    I am just returning and for a while I was looking into the various 'module' systems as it appeared 'The Bureau of Land Management' was not going to allocate as much space. That said, I may be building 'add on' modulus at some point.

    Good point, um, What is the height of a T-trak? I may have to have legs I can swap out.
     
  12. fifer

    fifer TrainBoard Supporter Advertiser

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    The T-Trak modules are designed to sit on table tops.
     
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  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Still here. Just busy with life....
     
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  14. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    @fifer Well, in that case, I know just what I'll do. ☻
     
  15. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think in a couple fo years I might build a few 'trans living room' modules disguised as 'Test Tracks'. ♥☻
     
  16. spyder62

    spyder62 TrainBoard Member

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    Getting ready to list our house and move to a red state, taxes here are killing me.
    Found a house in Greenfield Missouri and if all goes as planed will have a two story shop.
    Lower level 24 by 47 for the race car and convert, plus layout in back half, upper shop 24 by 65 for
    the lasers and wood shop and small hobby shop. So hope all done and set up this spring
    rich
    www.rslaserkits.com
     
  17. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    Those of you at Altoona may have seen the "Jamison" module wondering what I was up to. It's taken me weeks to get all four oil rigs built out of brass shapes, operating, and the new sound system installed - as well as the power modules. Backdrop is ready, scenery entering final stages at long last.

    Between all the mechanical and sound add-ons, this has proven to be the most technical T-trak module yet for me. But it's really fun to watch all those pump jacks work away in slow motion through the rod lines. Other than a steam locomotive, this is one of the most fascinating pieces of industrial technology to watch that was rather common around here for many years.
     
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  18. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Randy,

    that module sounds veryyyy interesting. Do you have any YT video of it operating. I have thought about scratching some pump jacks but just haven't thought hard enough. Any thoughts of selling build plans?

    Curious,
    Carl

    PS: the Walther's pump jacks just do not cut it, except for static display. I had to re-build 2 of my 4 with brass parts to make them work but never got smooth slow operation out of them.
     
  19. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    About 1880 the technology was developed to use the raw natural gas from the wells to power a single gas 'hit or miss' engine of about 2-5hp that was rod-connected to multiple wells - some as far as a couple miles - from the powerhouse. Engine spun a big flywheel, belted, geared to an eccentric that pulled and pushed the steel rods over hill and dale, and from there, moved the destination pump jacks up and down. The gas engines made a distinctive racket. Wells on one side counterbalanced the wells on the other, so gravity did a lot of the mechanical work. This technology was up and running around here through the 1960's when small electric motor pump jacks replaced nearly all of the old powerhouses. When I was a teenager I found one in the woods - abandoned - and spun it around and was shocked when it fired - once - and ever since I've been fascinated by the mechanics.

    This is NOT your typical oil well scene, it's almost unique to northwest PA and some places in Canada.

    The Drake Well Museum in Titusville has a fully-functional powerhouse and rod pump jack system on the museum grounds. There's a lot of video out there on it, but here's a good sample.

    The fact that I scratchbuilt four of these and have them working in N scale has taken literally months:


    And, bluntly, I had to push myself hard to build the module... I don't think anybody else has ever been crazy enough to make an operating one in any scale. I have shot some video of the model but it hasn't been on YouTube yet.

    The powerhouse I'm modeling is on the American Engineering Historical Record for full scale plans, and it's actually still standing today...almost... alongside Rt. 6 in derelict condition. It's a completely unique building with the shape, but follows the function perfectly.
    https://www.loc.gov/collections/his...3553.photos/&q=PENNSYLVANIA+Forest&st=gallery

    Here's the isometric scale drawing of the powerhouse, and all this stuff actually works in N, along with a full sound system for that racket:
    https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.pa3553.sheet/?sp=2

    I had the building roughed out and one working jack at Altoona, but it was not entirely clear what I was up to. Now it is.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2019
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  20. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Randy, I am glad that you did
     

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