There are no limitations, excepting track spacings at module ends. I have single, double and triple length modules in varied stages of construction. I also have the lumber cut for a 180 degree curve module, which is extra deep to allow a spur for a waterfront scene. But that 180 will be a one only, due to my health issues. There are are also people doing a single track version of T-Trak. Let your imagination roam. It's your empire. I only have one of my NTrak modules left. I started rebuilding it, before my health issues- Most likely now I will never complete it, as although my vehicle would carry it, I physically cannot lug it around. In my part of this region, the concept has faded away completely and the nearest bunch in my State doing it is a six hundred mile round trip. Although there is a group about a five hundred mile round trip the other direction in another State, but I don't know them at all. And I was the only person around who was doing oNeTrak so converted a couple of those for T-Trak.
Funny how things can seem so right yet be so, so very very wrong. First of all, the legs on an Ntrak module are not integral. They are either easily removeable or they fold up into the bottom of the module. So the module is then only about four inches tall without scenery. Second, for transport, two Ntrak modules are clamped together with the scenery inside to protect it, Most of the time the resulting pair is no more than 24 inches wide. So two modules take up 2' X 4' x 2' Third, these modules will easily fit inside any vehicle. I put four of them inside a 1997 Saturn SC1 and we get the same number inside a 2010 Kia Soul. Fourth, Ntrak was never a "go it alone" concept. It was designed for groups of preople to come together and build a layout that none of them, for whatever reason, could build individually. That is why there are Ntrak clubs. Most Ntrak clubs have no home. Most have no assets and many have no dues. Our club has dues of $20.00 per year. That is cheap as most HO clubs dues are $25 a month. I don't know where you got your information but I do know it is wrong.
Yes, definitely. I know I fall into this group. Unlike the boomers the men of this generation don't all have a garage full of power tools and a table saw just lying around. I built a small diorama and ended up using a piece of gatorboard because it was the only thing that was strong but could be cut indoors without needing power tools or creating a mess. I would have much prefered if I could have ordered a tab and slot kit as you describe to build proper 'benchwork', wiring would certainly have gone better. Woodland Scenic have something like this though it's a bit big and bit expensive - a kit that's *just* the T-Track sized benchwork (and maybe available in 2x and 3x lengths or designed so the pieces from multiple kits can be assembled that way) with some kind of connector plate would be great for apartment dwellers.
A bit broad with the brush stroke here. I would say many vehicles, but certainly not all. Especially with the tuna fish can sized fuel squeezers which many folks own these days. During my tenure with Ntrak, I had four, six and even an eight foot NCat. We presently have three vehicles. A four footer will fit in two, but in one the sky board must be off. A six footer, which is all I have left, will only fit into one of the three. Yes. The POFF is most common. Still, not all.
Do they come smaller than a Kia Soul? Maybe a Mini Cooper or one of those stupid Smart cars. Ya' know sometimes you just got to think outside the box. If the sky board is a problem for ya then remove it. Make it detachable. Scenery too high? Make it detachable too. If you don't own any power tools try a hand saw or if that is asking too much, Home Depot and Lowes will actually cut the boards for you. POf course you do have to put them together. We do know how to do that, don't we??????????????????????????????????? Come on guys the excuses are getting really weak now.
Skyboard was off. (All of my skyboards were always removable, using two or three eye bolts into tee nuts.) If I moved the seat all the way forward, and had the module jammed on my right shoulder and into my neck.... Well, I did that once. Thereafter, no way. BTW- the so-called "Smart" car still puzzles me. Price is better spent buying Toyota four door sedan for a similar amount and mileage is no better than the 1972 Honda with it's air cooled two banger, variable venturi carb. Oh well. As for excuses, it's quite surprising how many people lack even the most basic carpentry or electric skills today. What once was learned by many, simply in growing up and even taught in the K-12 system, is often simply not happening. rather sad, all things considered.
There are a couple of guys producing module kits here in Australia which should give an idea of pricing, they seem to sell well enough. http://home.iprimus.com.au/nuggles58/t-trak-kit.pdf http://modulartraintables.com.au/t-trak_modules.html
My best friend is a Director level person in the regional high school, (coincidentally the town she grew up in and where we both went to high school). They have not taught "wood shop" for over a decade. Can't build a layout if you don't know about pilot holes but ya know? I didn't learn about them in shop. I learned what I know from my father. He was fantastic and several of his works are still around 30 years later. My only power tools are a very high end drill and a cordless screwdriver. All of my wood was cut by hand - and it shows.
The current-gen Smart ForTwo is under 9 feet long. For comparison, a Yaris is over 14' and a Corolla is 15'. This makes the Smart THE car to drive in cities with extensive unmetered parallel parking, whether you're talking NYC or DC or Portland OR. I do raise an eyebrow when I see a Smart in Houston freeway traffic, but I suppose it's the cuteness factor. Sort of like a Tumbleweed House or a cat with the body of a piece of toast. I have a Milwaukee jigsaw and besides the layout benefits, it has saved me from the tyranny of Ikea particleboard. I no longer lug around 300 lbs of disassembled flat-pack furniture with every move; instead I just throw together whatever I need at the moment using 1x4s and plywood, and toss it the next time I switch homes. Usually I craigslist it (FREE: SOLID WOOD DESK BEHIND TRASH DUMPSTER AT LAKES OF MEADOWBROOK GLEN PLAZA APARTMENTS) and it's gone before the trash guy shows up.
Actually I was looking more at the mileage factor, which is or was originally a big selling point, and is actually not a real gain over many other somewhat larger cars today. I know what it is like to drive a soda pop can. We owned both a 1972 Honda 600 Coupe and 1972 Honda 600 Sedan. I regret ever selling that Coupe. It easily got 32-33mpg and was super maneuverable. It saved my bacon many times. Dodging some fool, I'd zip onto a sidewalk, or? Plus it was factory painted Milwaukee Road "orange" ha ha. The lift gate being black plastic was a nice, appropriate color accent. My favorite railfanning vehicle, ever. When there was no place to pull off, park and grab a shot, there was room for that car. I was going to buy it back, but the kid who had it, rolled it a couple of days before I was to get give him the cash. Rats.
My club, the Olde Newburgh Model Railroad Club set up our portable layouts in the Newburgh (NY) mall. We just started T-Trak modules earlier this year and this was the first time we used them. They went together in about a half hour making about an 8x12 foot L shaped layout. I carried 2 corner modules, my double length module, trains and a power pack in the trunk of my car with lots of room to spare. OK, I have a fairly large car, but the stuff I carried to the mall would have fit in just about any car. I could carry an N track module in my car, but storing it at home would be a problem.
Wow!!! The response to this T-Trak-N thread is, IMO, been phenomenal. Terrific discussion and ideas from everyone. I especially like the thought that todays Post Boomer's look to T-Track-N to satisfy their Model railroading itch. My original post "Not For Kids" in the title is the result of a post on another forum regarding T-Trak-N implying (IMO) that it's toy like and would be great for kids like Boy Scout troops. It may be good for Boy Scouts to get involved with T-trak-N but under the supervision of adult modelers. In my opinion T-Trak-N is the future of N Scale. Some folks are going to make a lot of "Yankee Dollars" building T-Trak-N kits and /or completed modules for sale to either O/L vendors or selling direct to the Modeling community. Hey!! :mooh:Home Depot here I come! :tb-rolleyes:I need to go out and buy me some wood, big time saws, fittings, barrels of glue, Track and other stuff to get into the business. But lets remember this is just a discussion and lets not go to far out on the limb with our feelings. Cause the moderators may cut it off. And that might smart some.biggrin: See ya Ron
