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In this second MRVP T-Trak Group Project video blog, Kent Johnson checks in with MRVP’s Jenny Maaske and David Popp about their progress. Jenny is off to an a-maize-ing start, while David has managed to revive a tiny bit of his notable Naugatuck Valley home layout. You’ll get the inside scoop (and the corny jokes) …only on MR Video Plus!
Mini Naugatuck is one of three modules that have accessory ports and power boosters installed inside it. To work this module needs to be plugged into the mini Clinchfield module which is also the command station.
good work Jenny and David this will work great on the layout. David The Old Naugatuck lives again can’t wait to see these hooked up.
Dear Jenny,
Bar Mills, in Maine, makes a "1-kit" with a series of wooden walls that can be customized to build a variety of structures. The inside of the wall is partly laser cut with windows and doors that you can finish cutting to customize for size, look and purpose. And your cornfield…don't worry about mixing up the stalks in your field. I live in Vermont, and pass cornfields all the time. Most fields have at least one side which as you drive by, has regular spacing between rows (where the tractor goes) *that you can see) and the perpendicular side which looks like a solid wall of corn. Best wishes!
As a long term modeler (since the 60s), I've always been interested in ways to create a shareable layout and modular building is great. In the mid-80's I got involved with N-Trak and found the sizes and specification provided for some very interesting design and build options.
Why did you guys opt to go with this almost annoyingly small T-Trak option? The 24" deep by 24", 36", or 48" modules make far far more interesting opportunities in layout development. Heck, I remember building elementary school dioramas that were larger than 14" x 14".
Looking forward to seeing how this all comes together. I considered T Trak after moving to South Texas. Still on my radar.
Okay, I know it's early, and there's plenty of other modules to be seen yet… but I do hereby declare David the winner. Mini Naugatuck? Brilliant.
David's module looks great. How were the lowered terrain and module box sides achieved after the module/box was already completely assembled? It seems like taking a saw to ithe assembled box would risk destroying the whole thing.
My wife has been saying for 40 years to keep it simple stupid, when working on the train layout.
Tom Pica
Wappingers Falls,NY
Good lesson from Jenny in this blog regarding the price of realism on a layout. How much time and cost are we willing to invest in making a feature "perfect" rather than good enough to portray the feeling of the scene and the whole layout. Good decisions Jenny, you are becoming a smart railroad modeler.
These blogs are a hoot! Jenny brings us all back to earth by using Tony Koester's "good enough" approach and the old KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) mindset of not making everything so complicated. This is in contrast to David's module of making it both functional, and detail driven. Love it!
Impressive! Didn't think I would like this series very much since I'm not an 'N' scaler, but this is actually pretty cool.
Allan