T-Trak

[Bruce Archer]

Hi All!
    Being a long time proponant of N-Trak (since it started) and admitting I have been out of the loop for more than a couple of years, I have a question...What is T-Trak? How is it better than N-Trak? And where can I get more information?

Bruce Archer
Modeler of the D&H and LNE
Delaware and Atlantic N-Trak

[peteski]

You must have been out of the loop for some time as T-Trak has been around for over 20 years.
https://ntrak.org/T-TRAK-History

[Maletrain]

https://ntrak.org/T-TRAK-Standards

[Bruce Archer]

Let me get this straight...T-Trak are smaller, 2 track modules, and for larger layouts, N-Trak is still preferred?

Bruce

[pdx1955]

Let me get this straight...T-Trak are smaller, 2 track modules, and for larger layouts, N-Trak is still preferred?

Bruce

Not necessarily. Some of the last T-Trak layouts at the national conventions have been very large. T-Trak for most is much more scalable so its easy to transport. Plus since it sites on folding tables, the large venues have tons of these so setup/tear down is very fast.

[Point353]

Hi All!
    Being a long time proponant of N-Trak (since it started) and admitting I have been out of the loop for more than a couple of years, I have a question...What is T-Trak? How is it better than N-Trak? And where can I get more information?

Bruce Archer
Modeler of the D&H and LNE
Delaware and Atlantic N-Trak

Paging @arbomambo .

[peteski]

Let me get this straight...T-Trak are smaller, 2 track modules, and for larger layouts, N-Trak is still preferred?

Bruce

Yes, as the info in the earlier provided links shows, T-TRAK is a standard separate from NTRAK. Just like other modular standards like Free-moN, BendTrack, Modutrak, and oNeTRAK are separate from NTRAK.  The reason that NTRAK and T-TRAK seem to be closely coupled (they are not) is because T-TRAK was conceived by Jim (father of NTRAK) FitzGerald's wife.  So those standards were connected by marriage. 

Later development was when both standards were grouped under the NRAIL umbrella.  NTRAK and T-TRAK modules are not compatible, but modules can be constructed to connect NTRAK and T-TRAK.

There is no specific modular preference for large layouts. Large layouts can be constucted using any of the standards I mentioned.

Lately T-TRAK (due to its portability and ease of setup) is gaining popularity, but NTRAK and other standards are still going strong.  If you are into NTRAK and are happy with it, there is no reason to move to another standard.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What is T-TRAK? The pinnacle of modular model railroad standards!

It allows for a huge amount of flexibility while also maximizing convenience.

At its base it's for two track ~1' wide modules. But that's the beginning. If you want to live with them, you could build 4' long monsters or larger.

The key thing is keeping the track at the right height off the table, building things that follow Kato Unitrack geometry, and having Kato Unijoiners at the end.

I have a couple of galleries that show off the wide variety that illustrate the wide variety of things you can do:

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMnQIfy1uzIhFNjElPoEMjjn1URs_saFr-BWoC9m8Wi2UQ5w9mkuipFIfYm0Wbeag?key=TnVoeGJPQWo0cDhrS0I2SjZSRmFyd3hlTXlueWh3

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNXo9h3ZUkzPUT6agacLcfejenlJYRuQFeOZujoOHs2kRoqR6hJx_BAZdHN1k3tiw?key=VmlNblJfc21qb0padUdyQndqMmI2M1NseXJjMU1B

If you want to try doing something that's NOT Unitrack, there are options for that too: https://conrail1285.com/ttrak-technology-demonstrator/

[robert3985]

Hi All!
    Being a long time proponant of N-Trak (since it started) and admitting I have been out of the loop for more than a couple of years, I have a question...What is T-Trak? How is it better than N-Trak? And where can I get more information?

Bruce Archer
Modeler of the D&H and LNE
Delaware and Atlantic N-Trak

@Bruce Archer - Bruce, as has been explained NTRAK and T-TRAK are both modular model railroad systems, and both have their pros and cons...as do ALL of the other modular systems.

T-TRAK is becoming popular, but I don't know if there are stats indicating which modular standard is most popular.

Advantages for T-TRAK over NTRAK are: (1) with 1' 1/8" long single straight modules (with varying depths from 5" to 14" "Standard Modules") transportation is very easy (2) No joiner rails as the modules use the Kato Unitrack joining protocol to keep the modules together (3) Double track mainlines, which are more generally prototypical than NTRAK's 3 mainline tracks standard (4) No module legs (just levelers) making setup quicker and easier than NTRAK (5) Because of the small size and not having legs on basic, single modules, basic benchwork is very simple and less expensive than for a basic NTRAK module.

Disadvantages of T-TRAK vs NTRAK are: (1) Recommended Kato Unitrack is the worst-looking N-gauge track available.  Although using other, more prototypical-looking track products between required Kato and/or Kato-compatible track ends is allowed, most T-TRAKkers just use Kato Unitrack, sometimes painting/weathering/ballasting it in an attempt to hide its faults.  (2) Because of the smallness of the T-TRAK standard modules, outside and inside standard corners require a minimum track radius of only 282mm (11.1 inches) which can limit using larger engines & rolling stock, and which looks decidedly more toy-like than NTRAK's minimum track radius of 24" (3) T-TRAK's small standard module dimensions make for easier transportation and setup, but may be too limiting for those desiring a better scenery-to-track ratio, which is one of N-scale's main positive cosmetic attributes (running little trains through big scenes) forcing the T-TRAK modeler into less-than-optimal modeling practices to retain T-TRAK's limitation of being able to be "located" on a standard 30" wide folding table.

I don't see any big difference between recommended electrical practices, club variations are allowed in both formats such as requiring a skyboard (or not) or messing with the front & back module dimensions to gain more "ground" to do scenery in.

The things I dislike most about T-TRAK are the Kato-connection protocol (encouraging using sectional Kato Unitrack), the small standard module dimensions, the low railhead-to-floor height, and the small 282mm minimum radius.

The things I dislike most about NTRAK are the three mainline tracks, the fugly joiner tracks, and the low railhead-to-floor height.

The things I like most about T-TRAK are the double-tracked mainline tracks, ease of setup and options for non-standard modules.

If you need a small modular format, aren't concerned about the small minimum radius, don't worry about using Kato Unitrack (or seeing it everywhere in your modular setup), don't mind the ultra-low railhead to floor height, then T-TRAK might be just the ticket for you.

The things I like most about NTRAK are the large minimum 24" track radius, using flex rather than sectional track with more realistic looking N-scale track products and options for non-standard modules.

If you've been happy with NTRAK in the past and don't have a need for a smaller, simpler, lighter, more easy to set up, more limiting modular format, and if you like realistic-looking track, a better scenery-to-track ratio, much larger minimum track radius and have room to build, transport and the strength to manhandle larger modules, then there's no logical reason to change.

If you're considering changing your modular model railroad interests, and consider yourself to be a more advanced model railroader, I would suggest you look into Free-moN, which has many advantages (and a few disadvantages) when compared to either T-TRAK and NTRAK.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Point353]

Disadvantages of T-TRAK vs NTRAK are: (1) Recommended Kato Unitrack is the worst-looking N-gauge track available.  Although using other, more prototypical-looking track products between required Kato and/or Kato-compatible track ends is allowed, most T-TRAKkers just use Kato Unitrack, sometimes painting/weathering/ballasting it in an attempt to hide its faults.  (2) Because of the smallness of the T-TRAK standard modules, outside and inside standard corners require a minimum track radius of only 282mm (11.1 inches) which can limit using larger engines & rolling stock, and which looks decidedly more toy-like than NTRAK's minimum track radius of 24" (3) T-TRAK's small standard module dimensions make for easier transportation and setup, but may be too limiting for those desiring a better scenery-to-track ratio, which is one of N-scale's main positive cosmetic attributes (running little trains through big scenes) forcing the T-TRAK modeler into less-than-optimal modeling practices to retain T-TRAK's limitation of being able to be "located" on a standard 30" wide folding table.

An NTRAK 3' corner module will have a minimum radius of 22.5".  https://ntrak.org/resources/Documents/NTRAK%20Manual.pdf

There are (at least) four options for T-TRAK corner modules, with progressively larger radii up to 18.9".
https://ntrak.org/resources/Documents/T-TRAK/Corner%20RP%20Draft%20Rev%20X1.pdf

[robert3985]

An NTRAK 3' corner module will have a minimum radius of 22.5".  https://ntrak.org/resources/Documents/NTRAK%20Manual.pdf

There are (at least) four options for T-TRAK corner modules, with progressively larger radii up to 18.9".
https://ntrak.org/resources/Documents/T-TRAK/Corner%20RP%20Draft%20Rev%20X1.pdf

Ahh...things have changed at NTRAK since I was involved!  24" min. radius was IT back in the last Century...and allowing a smaller minimum radius is a step backwards for NTRAK IMO.

I stated that the minimum radius for "standard" modules and "standard" inside & outside corner modules is 282mm...I didn't get into non-standard modules.  Thanks for pointing that out.  However, the minimum track radius, using Kato Unitrack 18.9" radius sections is still noticeably smaller for T-TRAK modules (even non-standard ones) if you use Kato Unitrack, than the 3' corner module minimum of 22.5" for NTRAK standards.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Point353]

Ahh...things have changed at NTRAK since I was involved!  24" min. radius was IT back in the last Century...and allowing a smaller minimum radius is a step backwards for NTRAK IMO.

I stated that the minimum radius for "standard" modules and "standard" inside & outside corner modules is 282mm...I didn't get into non-standard modules.  Thanks for pointing that out.  However, the minimum track radius, using Kato Unitrack 18.9" radius sections is still noticeably smaller for T-TRAK modules (even non-standard ones) if you use Kato Unitrack, than the 3' corner module minimum of 22.5" for NTRAK standards.

The specifications for the smaller 3' corner module were included in a copy of the NTRAK manual I have from back in the last century.

The track section radii for the original T-TRAK corner modules were chosen so that a 180° turnback (and thus a complete layout) would fit on a standard 30" wide banquet table, such as those often used at many train shows.
Kato also makes curved track sections with a 28-1/4" radius, so you could create curved modules with them - only you would need 30" banquet tables set up side-by-side if you wanted to have a 180° turnback using that larger radius track.