| Last updated on January 11, 2021
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Great looking T-Trak modules with a real variety of themes. What I like best is how the MR/T staff, who works in the model railroad hobby at _least_ 5 days a week, was so thrilled to watch the train run on the T-T-Trak layout the 1st time. If you look at your faces, everyone has the same look of wonder that Ralphie had at the dept. store window. Great job!
Drew’s, David’s, and Eric’s modules have accessory plugs and power boosters installed which explains the wires sticking out the back. These must be plugged into the Mini Clinchfield module which is also the command station. These modules also have plug ports for throttles. The other modules don’t have plugs so they must be connected to a module which is powered to work.
Neat series to follow along with. I’ll admit to having only a little awareness (knowledge?) with T-Track so it was neat to learn about the standard and then follow along as the modules were developed.
I like the simplicity of the standard. Also, given each module’s small physical size the ease at which they can be finished.
Cheers
/chris
This series was great! I’d like to ask if anyone has considered doing a ‘mini’ project layout – in Z scale? It would be interesting to see how one or more members of the staff tackles something like this, and the step-by-step format would be incredibly helpful for those of us who have always admired Z scale but are a bit apprehensive about jumping in.
good work MR Staff the layout is running T-Trak is a good idea
Excellent job, MR Staff! I enjoyed this video very much! David, could you please discuss (if you haven't already) the details about wiring each module and how to power such a layout. Thanks again!
What a fantastic series from start to finish. Seeing a majority of the staffers be able to get to show their modeling talents was great. Hopefully yous guys make a return to n scale again soon.
Great series and great teamwork! I, for one, would like to see more articles by this group. What do the Trains mag people do when they are not involved in the real world stuff? What do the camera folks like about this hobby? etc.
Great series (as usual). Always looking forward to the next video series.
I agree that more use of T-type track, whether it is KATO or another manufacturer, would be really assistive to those of us using it more and more. My biggest issue is usually how to use/convert powered vs manual turnouts to function without using the KATO style turnout controllers which are large, bulky and would be relatively hard to hide somewhere on a layout. Great little modules, you all seemed to have some fun doing it.
Enjoyed this series. Whenever we set up for a train show, we always use a torpedo level to make sure the modules set up properly and adjust the leveling bolts accordingly as the floor is not always level and the tables are sometimes not quite the same height. Noticed you didn't have to do any of the leveling – at least not on the video. One of the joys of T-Trak is enjoying the creativity of all the members on their individual modules. Well done MRVP!
This is really great. I like the fact that there was no master plan an that each module was it's builders creation. My hat is off for all involved great job. Any plans for expansion?
Dave T.
We all appreciated the great response to our "bonus" project! Hats off to Loyd F. for getting us going, and also to Michael H. for sending the blue boxcar at the end of David's NH train! While David, Steve, and Drew had prior N scale layout/module construction chops, the others have only built in larger scales. We could've done a master plan for this effort, but we honesty just wanted to have fun building something on a whim — even if Cody and Drew wanted to turn it into a competition! Although the video series is done, you'll be able to find more details/photos about the modules in a forthcoming issue of Model Railroader magazine! -Kent J., MRVP assoc. producer/chief table wrangler
I would like to see stills of each module, to study the details. Will that be possible, please? This is really great!
Hey gang, thank you for all your kind comments! If you couldn't tell, the staff and I had a blast with the project, and we were thrilled to see how everyone did something completely different – many working from photos of actual places.
As for the 12th module, that appears in near-complete form at the end of Blog no. 5. See the related videos slider directly above the comments area. Though I built it, the module contains a couple of buildings from Gordy Odegard's home layout – a fitting tribute to the man who brought N scalers the Clinchfield layout.
The nice thing about the Kato Unitrak is that the locking rail joiners are completely removable from the track, meaning that if one gets damaged or simply wears out, it can be quickly replaced with a new one, and you're back in business.
The modules come apart by spreading the base of the boxes away from each other slightly. The locking joiners disengage at that point, and then the modules can be separated.
T-Trak was a lot of fun, and it's a great way for someone considering N scale to get a little practice in before committing to an entire layout. And you could build a layout with various sized T-Trak modules too if you've got enough tables!
Thanks for playing along with us and sharing in the fun!
David
Well done, everyone. Very impressed with the quality and detail of each module. Thank you.
Great fun Team MR! A great series to 'escape' from the realities of my own 'modular' project. It's in HO, and modular because I only have room to build one 18" x 48" section at a time!
wow, how lucky y-all are to have landed this as "your day Job' very nice work indeed.
Good job folks. Was David Popp the only one with N-scale experience? Is it me or is there still a gap between the modules when all connected? Would like to see a little bit more t-trak coverage by showing how to plan and build a siding.
Looked like a great fun and what model railroading is about…just fun, sharing, and friendship…. Sorry to see it end, but thanks for making the series I'll have a smile on my face for a long time…
I know that there had to be some pressure due to publishing deadlines etc. but you all survived it well and the layout looks very good. I appreciated the modelling skills of all concerned and the project was a lot of fun to watch. Well done everyone!
This was a really fun video layout project. Everyone's module looked great. I was extremely happy to see a NH DL701 in operation. Would like to see another project like this in the future.
I would like to know who made the 12th T-Trak module? Can you show it sometime?
The best part of that video is that it looks like everybody is having fun and enjoying each other. It's so easy to get too seriuos in this hobby and forget that it is supposed to be FUN!
Nicely done. So … if I understand correctly, all that holds the T track modules together is the snap-action of the Kato ready track?
It would have been interesting to see how easy or difficult it was to separate the track and modules (and how long the Kato track would hold up to repeated separations).
If you do a Vol 2 of T track it would be worth having a "master plan" next time for scenery and theme continuity to see just how well different people can make modules which nonetheless make a convincingly unified layout. But this was entertaining and interesting for sure.