T-TRAK orientation question

[Dave V]

Question for the T-Trak folks.

I think I'm going to switch over to the 17" corners to allow 13.75" and 15" radius curves...my longer locomotives and cars will thank me.

But if I ever wanted to do inside curve modules and make an L- or U-shaped layout...am I out of luck? Or is there a module that can accommodate an inside curve of 13/75/15" that doesn't also require some odd-shaped or length modules elsewhere?

Otherwise I suppose I could make some 3" long spacer modules for the straight sides. Just curious.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

If you use Kato track don't over think it. That stuff is designed to just work out when used in a wide variety of ways.

If you make something to an odd size and are really worried just knock together a filler module to bring things "back". Shoot, you don't even need to stick the track to it, just make a box of the appropriate size and lay the necessary track on it at the show.

This was one of the modules at the 2024 Altoona layout.

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[dem34]

Question for the T-Trak folks.

I think I'm going to switch over to the 17" corners to allow 13.75" and 15" radius curves...my longer locomotives and cars will thank me.

But if I ever wanted to do inside curve modules and make an L- or U-shaped layout...am I out of luck? Or is there a module that can accommodate an inside curve of 13/75/15" that doesn't also require some odd-shaped or length modules elsewhere?

Otherwise I suppose I could make some 3" long spacer modules for the straight sides. Just curious.

I exclusively use Inside Corner 17/18 modules for curves on my setups that I plan. (Damn Rapido Comets). Because they work with everything and "Sporterized" to only include about 3" left and right of the track they stack in the car rather easily. And I can man handle 4 in and out in a single trip.
As long as you get a 360 of that type it doesn't really matter. But 2 small corners with a single in the middle also make the gap if you only have 2 of the big ones. Once you get past single table set ups theres usually 2 tables side by side + how ever many are needed to in length to make people happy. Just more excuses to make more modules.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like Al's mention of "sporterized" modules. I've been working on some similar concepts. My current favorite is a "bridge module" made with a 2x3 (left over legs from my old layout) and a layer of 1" foam on top. This works for single track sections, at least.

Here's the best photo I have of it handy.

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I've been working on a corner version with a wider board but haven't really gotten anywhere beyond mocking some stuff up.

[Dave V]

@dem34 , I'll be honest, I didn't follow those words you said in the order you said them...   

But, I'm getting the gist... For the purposes of a home layout based on the T-TRAK standard, I can have as many pieces as I want that are odd sizes and so on...they don't have to come with me to shows.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@dem34 , I'll be honest, I didn't follow those words you said in the order you said them...   

But, I'm getting the gist... For the purposes of a home layout based on the T-TRAK standard, I can have as many pieces as I want that are odd sizes and so on...they don't have to come with me to shows.

Yes!

[packers#1]

@dem34 , I'll be honest, I didn't follow those words you said in the order you said them...   

But, I'm getting the gist... For the purposes of a home layout based on the T-TRAK standard, I can have as many pieces as I want that are odd sizes and so on...they don't have to come with me to shows.

And if you want to bring them to a show the layout planner can try to accommodate as is or you can build a transition module back to the T trak standard

[arbomambo]

And if you want to bring them to a show the layout planner can try to accommodate as is or you can build a transition module back to the T trak standard

Exactly this!
We use ‘irregular’ modules in our setups often…
I don’t like the term ‘standard’ and ‘non standard’.
To us, here in the greater Southeastern region, any module that can mate with an adjacent T-TRAK module is standard. Is the track spacing 33mm? Can it be adjusted in height from 2-3/4” up to 4”?
Are the module drops wired BWWB?
If so, then it’s a standard T-TRAK module, regardless of width and depth. There are many areas in our typical layouts where we can utilize irregular width and irregular depth modules.

[randgust]

My favorite and well-received 'irregular' is a double-triple-double set where the mains split with the scenic divider in the center, the two single-track triples are two different scenes, both half-width.  One is the 'Hickory Bridge" which is based on a prototype vehicle and rail bridge over the Allegheny River in West Hickory, PA 1897-2002, and the second is "Thompson", the single track triple of the scene of the PRR across the river from my house as a child.    These have been HUGE hits at Altoona.   They are normal length, normal height, and back-to-back still fits the 14" envelope.   The two doubles can be used as standard modules or adapters for the two singles.   The inner line is the one that spurs off and 'dodges' on a branch on both doubles.   Single track modules are 7" or so width with permanent photo backdrops.

I think there's a whole new opportunity to tap these single-track scenes this way and still be compliant with T-trak.    One of the things I didn't like about Ntrak was the triple main line with wide spacing, that's pretty uncommon.   Even where I have double track Ttrak, all my modules are cinder ballasted on the inner line and granite ballasted on the outer line, to more closely resemble the PRR main in my area with passing tracks and sidings.   I want it to have the look of a single-track 'main' but function as compliant Ttrak.   

My last module is equally odd, McCabe Mill has a loop of Nn3 on it with 4 1/2" radius Rokuhan Z on it, running a Showcase Nn3 Shay and my Nn3 Climax A.   There's a short section of dual-gauge trackage in front of the mill.   I painted every section of Rokuhan back to dirt ballast and weathered ties.  That's been a pretty good show module on it's own and can run independently even off Ttrak.  That design 'just barely' fits in the width of a standard triple.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One is the 'Hickory Bridge" which is based on a prototype vehicle and rail bridge over the Allegheny River in West Hickory, PA 1897-2002, and the second is "Thompson", the single track triple of the scene of the PRR across the river from my house as a child.    These have been HUGE hits at Altoona.   They are normal length, normal height, and back-to-back still fits the 14" envelope.   The two doubles can be used as standard modules or adapters for the two singles.   The inner line is the one that spurs off and 'dodges' on a branch on both doubles.   Single track modules are 7" or so width with permanent photo backdrops.

Yeah, too bad you suck for always having the Thompson scene on the BACK where I can't take photos of it.

[Point353]

This was one of the modules at the 2024 Altoona layout.

(Attachment Link)

Another solution I've seen to filling the space caused by a missing or non-standard size module is to have smaller gaps between several adjacent modules and then connecting them with shorter pieces of Unitrack that don't (necessarily) need to be supported underneath. 

[arbomambo]

Another solution I've seen to filling the space caused by a missing or non-standard size module is to have smaller gaps between several adjacent modules and then connecting them with shorter pieces of Unitrack that don't (necessarily) need to be supported underneath.

Like these?

[Point353]

Like these?

That's a more refined implementation of what I've seen, which had just the unadorned short track sections between modules.

[Dave V]

@Point353 ,

That's exactly what I was thinking! I could match the ballast and ground cover.

[John]

That's so cool ..