I have my fingers crossed that one of you guys is enough of a martyr, that you'll be carrying a camera, tripod and pocket full of electrons, wherever you go during the Convention.
We'll be employing a 6 year old kid to count every single car as it rolls down the track, so you had better comply, bub. Actually, the 50 car rule is to ensure that we keep things within reason. The Red Line might take half the day to go around once, and we don't want those running on to have to deal with any problems on route. I can imagine the frustration level of someone in their 4th hour following a 120 car disaster that keeps breaking apart or derailing every couple minutes... You can run longer trains on the yellow and blue if the loop captain says its OK. Only the Red Line is dispatched by the DCE, the other lines are "owned" by the loops, and each loop can do things the way they see fit. We may be able to allow longer trains after the public show ends. It all depends on how things are running.
Brining your own is always a good idea, but we'll have some throttles for the Red Line. Individual loops may also have some throttles to borrow. For the Red Line, it must be a Digitrax Radio throttle. A tethered throttle on a 100 scale-mile layout doesn't make much sense.
Paul, Thanks. I asked the question somewhat tongue in cheek, but I didn't want to run into the one person who might have a real issue with the limits(just my luck). John
What's the reason for putting a 100 scale-mile, 700+ module ntrak layout together if you can't run a 150+ car coal drag around! :we2-goofy: I'm hoping there running time either friday or saturday evening for long trains. Really, it doesn't matter whether the train is 12, 50 or 120 cars long, as long as the train stay together and trackwork is done right(specifically where the modules are joined). I have been stuck behind 20-car train that derail more than my 120 car coal drag.
Paul, How do you plan to dispatch DCC engines with the same address? Will there be a programing track available to reprogram engines if there is a duplicate address issue? I'm planning on bringing some trains to run.
And also, I personally wouldn't want to be around when 200 feet of springy telephone cord recoils from the UP5 jack on the other side of the layout. seriously, if plan on running at other ntrak layouts as most clubs have digitrax radio capability(at least in VA & NC), so it might be a wise investment. I run trains at about 6-10 shows a year, how many shows do you go to? There are several options, buy a UT4R (msrp $129, the basic throttle) or a DT4000r ($229 advanced throttle), and there might be some deals at the show. Another question is do you have a digitrax dcc system at home, if not, you may want to save money and borrow one.
As is done at many large shows, all engines on the Red Line will be reprogramed to your badge number. This was done at Chantilly and it worked fine. All engines will go through the program track prior to running on the Red Line. For the Blue and Yellow, that is up to the loop captains as to how they want their loop to run. Complete details are on the NTRAK page of our website. See the link below.
How do we find out who our loop captain is? I signed up and registered back in February but still don't know what group I was assigned to.
There's a spread sheet at this URL. Google Docs - loop list You should be able to find out from that. I'm with BANTRAK. We're on loop 7. Martin Myers
Nope, I am not listed on that. I have set up with some of the folks on Loop 7 before at shows in San Antonio, Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. Aust-N-Trak and Tex-N are always a fun bunch.
Russ, Your best bet would be to either email Frank Wethington or each of the loop captains. There's a couple loops that don't have anyone listed. With John Steitz as loop captain, Loop 8 is most likely all NVNTRAK. I've seen the detail drawings for loop 7 and quite frankly was surprised to not see your Sugarland Modules on it. There were some that dropped out, about half of that has been replaced. Jochen has been keeping all of the participants up to date. Martin Myers
I am glad I got in touch with Frank. I guess I somehow fell through the cracks. I am always good at somehow messing up the process. I think I am now wedged in the middle hub between loops 3 and 4 and not in a loop myself. The Red Line Loop will go through on both my red line and blue line. I guess I will shop around and find an analogue loop where I can run my trains. Or I can run point to point on the yellow line in the middle of my 20 foot modules as it will not be hooked up to anything.
Depending on how those junctions are set up, your yellow line could be a passing track. Good place for the train crew to stop and take a break too.
Russ, We'll be using the NTrak DC Throttles on the inside tracks of Loop 5, not the best way to run trains, but I'm sure there will be track time on the Y B and Green lines as we'll have multiple trains per track. I know some of the trains will be dispatched out of our Mt Rainier N-Scale Yard, so come see us if you need a track.
Thanks, I may take you up on that. That is if Captain Dave will let me on board. Our club still uses old Lindsay triple pack throttles from the early days of NTRAK so that will not be a problem here. I am going to convert a few of my engines to DCC so I can run on the Red line also.
I have a question: I signed up for the Layout Tour that will leave early on Wed morning. However, I'll only be arriving at the Galt about 10pm on Tues night. - How to do I get myself checked in and my registration packet, so that I can go on the Wed morning layout tour ( I think it leaves 8am)? Is that info in a packet that was mailed to me? (I've been out of town on trip since June 3, so have not been home...) - Where is the meeting point for the departure of the Wed morning Layout Tour? (note that one needs to have been previously signed up for this tour, as it was extra cost item) Thx for suggestions.
