N Scale T-Trak

billmtx Oct 28, 2010

  1. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Just got back from the Pensacola Model Railroad Club's Trainfest 2017. Was able to meet Bruce Arbo and others from SWARMTRAK. Picked their brains and got some good ideas. Really enjoyed meeting them and talking with them. It was great to see modules set up and I am confident I'm making the right decision to go the T-Trak route. A couple of pictures from their set up:

    DSC_0115.JPG DSC_0117.JPG DSC_0124.JPG

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  2. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Charles,
    it was great being able to meet you in person; looking forward to viewing your progress here, and in your blog!
    ~Bruce
     
  3. SD35

    SD35 TrainBoard Member

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    Hello Bruce,

    where can I find all your nice T-Trak pictures ? Blog? etc.
    Thanks Rainer
     
  4. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Just about done except for a fence I'll be adding around the field. Also not sure if I want to add water to the creek or leave it dry.

    FarmField.jpg
     
    Ken Ford, poppy2201 and arbomambo like this.
  5. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Bill, very well done single module. Where did you get the planter? The tractor is Athearn or GHQ?
     
  6. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Tractor is Athearn. The planter was purchased off ebay years ago. I believe someone was custom making them and had all sorts of farm equipment available at the time.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I remember seeing someone on eBay selling farm equipment. Are they still active?

    I as far as the creek goes, I would wish for at least a trickle of water. If dry, the scene would feel rather arid.
     
  8. casmmr

    casmmr TrainBoard Member

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    Bill, you jogged my memory, you're right the gentleman was making farm equipment in red and green and some wonderful out buildings (all cast resin). He donated to the Ohio N-scale Weekend door prizes, I cannot remember which year, and then due to health issues stopped making the models. I believe he was from IN or IL.

    On the creek, since you are planting, the mid west if that is your area would probably have water in the creek. Late fall, harvest time the creek could be down to a trickle. With how green everything is on the module, the creek should be flowing at least 1/4 of the way up the banks. My opinion only remember the first rule of Model Railroading, it is my railroad and I will do as I please.
     
  9. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes that's the guy! Thanks for the comments. I think you are all right and the creek needs to have water to make it look right.
     
  10. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, I remember that. Wasn't it Burt Industries? I had a couple of his resin semi tractors and they are good enough to still be on the layout.

    I came across a catalog when cleaning out some stuff a few weeks ago.
     
  11. poppy2201

    poppy2201 TrainBoard Member

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    Bill,
    My uncle is a wheat farmer and has a couple of creeks running through his land and is the source for water for the irrigation system. My vote is for water in the creek since your plowed field is nearby.

    Regards,
    Charles
     
  12. arbomambo

    arbomambo TrainBoard Member

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    Six of one, half a dozen of the other...
    It's obviously an old drainage creek; would have been full, half full, or bone dry at various times throughout a year, month, or week...
    Your scenery is great either way...be bold and resist the urgings to model it like everyone else, rather, model it the realistic way...
    Regardless, based on your work I've seen over the last 30 years, it's going to be spectacular!
    ~ Bruce
     
    mtntrainman likes this.
  13. SD35

    SD35 TrainBoard Member

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    @Bill Denton,

    a nice Module ! Your creek, leave it dry, looks very good !!
    .....Rainer

     
  14. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    End cap module has basic landscaping. I’m thinking a barn and farmhouse might look good.

    [​IMG]
     
    BoxcabE50 likes this.
  15. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Are you building your own bases? Or using any kits?
     
  16. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    This one is a kit from T-Kits. I used 2 inch foam instead of the flat wood top on this one. I cut away the foam to create the impression of the track on a fill through this scene first then cut the wood frame to match before glueing everything together.
     
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  17. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    HAve you ever tried the offerings from Masterpiece Modules? I have been looking at what they have available. Seems good. But any shortcomings?
     
  18. randgust

    randgust TrainBoard Member

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    If you're ever looking for a prototype for a tight 180-degree horseshoe curve around a small town, go to Google Earth and check out Burnside, PA on the R J Corman PA lines. There's another beauty sharp 180-degree curve followed by a reverse 180 curve just north of Cresson on the same railroad - search for Loretto, PA and go slightly northwest. Just not quite as amazingly visible.

    First time I saw Burnside and realized you could see the crossing flashers on the other side of the village down the same road from the crossing you were already on, it was like my old 4x8 HO layout all over again.... right down to the grass mat and the Plasticville houses.

    There's another pair of reverse 180's on the same line near Lumber City, PA, one on an 'inside valley' and the other on a peninsula.

    So that's five 180-degree curves on the same railroad. Check it out. And the only things left on this line are unit grain and coal trains, it sees some impressive operations.

    There's also an EPIC tight 180-degree curve on the West Virginia Central (aka Mountainrail) south/east of Elkins on the old Western Maryland, a 180-degree, 33-degree radius curve around a mountain peninsula in a river valley with a waterfall on the river right beside it. "High Falls Curve". I think that works out to like an actual 15" radius or something close. Anyway, tight enough to drop a hirail truck on the inside of the rail if you aren't careful. It's not quite as legendary as Horse Shoe Curve, but it ought to be.
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2017
  19. Bill Denton

    Bill Denton TrainBoard Supporter

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    I haven't tried Masterpiece Modules. The T-Kits were great. I'm not planning any more T-Trak modules any time soon once I get these finished up but never say never.
     
  20. Eagle2

    Eagle2 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm curious also, with some of the bridge and wider curve modules they offer.
     

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