Plano Texas Train Show 1/19/2019

[txronharris]

Here's a link to a google album with photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/58FNTmACGMgZL1716

There was lots to see. Some great modelling, cool ideas, and some creativity that was appreciated and inspiring. Some things that stood out:

TTrak modules like a beer garden that had music including the "Chicken Dance", zombies with "Thriller" playing and a guy in a red jacket, and some other really well designed and detailed TTrak modules that made me make the comment that I'd stop saying I'm not into TTrak if they'd rethink the corner module spec.

Several NScale clubs running some cool stuff and some nice modules. I didn't see a single club that my idea for the modern grain elevator loading thread in the layout design forum would fit in, so didn't even ask. Wish there had been some NScale Freemo or OneTrak, but that's not taken off here in DFW.

HO guys had some great stuff. Some cool creativity with sound and lights going on.

There were some S scale and other large scale guys with some great stuff as well as a live steam group that had some neat info.

Prices on the used stuff were reasonable and there were lots of vendors and things to check out. Another solid show that should be on your radar if you're in the area next year.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

[nthusiast]

Thanks for sharing! Great photos.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Here's a link to a google album with photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/58FNTmACGMgZL1716

There was lots to see. Some great modelling, cool ideas, and some creativity that was appreciated and inspiring. Some things that stood out:

TTrak modules like a beer garden that had music including the "Chicken Dance", zombies with "Thriller" playing and a guy in a red jacket, and some other really well designed and detailed TTrak modules that made me make the comment that I'd stop saying I'm not into TTrak if they'd rethink the corner module spec.

Ugh... the corner situation. Although I do see the rationale. With the current corners you can fit an entire layout on a folding table. Go with something larger and you need to double up. I DO wish there was the option though.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[wm3798]

Doesn't Ntrak afford you the flexibility of doing whatever you want with the layout of your module provided it's in 24" increments lengthwise and your track track geometry aligns at the connections?

Couldn't you do a variant of the Ttrack corner as long as it comes back into the standard geometry?
If not, that's a good reason not to bother, or to be content that a roundy loop on a table can still be fun to watch when you're wandering around a train show.

I've avoided building an Ntrak module set because I loathe the 3 tracks thru requirement.  I'm enticed by Onetrak, but I'm limited in my availability to travel to participate in the nearest group with any regularity.

Regardless, thanks for sharing the photos.  Now I have something to genuinely procrastinate doing any productive work this morning!
Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doesn't Ntrak afford you the flexibility of doing whatever you want with the layout of your module provided it's in 24" increments lengthwise and your track track geometry aligns at the connections?

Couldn't you do a variant of the Ttrack corner as long as it comes back into the standard geometry?
If not, that's a good reason not to bother, or to be content that a roundy loop on a table can still be fun to watch when you're wandering around a train show.

I've avoided building an Ntrak module set because I loathe the 3 tracks thru requirement.  I'm enticed by Onetrak, but I'm limited in my availability to travel to participate in the nearest group with any regularity.

Regardless, thanks for sharing the photos.  Now I have something to genuinely procrastinate doing any productive work this morning!
Lee

It does. He's talking about TTRAK though. Which, btw, I think would be an EXCELLENT little thing for you to play with. You can come over here, drink some beer and run trains:

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[C855B]

It does. He's talking about TTRAK though. Which, btw, I think would be an EXCELLENT little thing for you to play with. You can come over here, drink some beer and run trains: ...

Yeah. Straight off the edge into that missing curve, bounce off the table and plummet nose-first into the carpet. 

[Dave V]

Some nice HOn3 in those photos too.  Thanks for sharing!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yeah. Straight off the edge into that missing curve, bounce off the table and plummet nose-first into the carpet. 

Haha, I'm gonna have to build a fence around it like at a race track.

[Philip H]

Haha, I'm gonna have to build a fence around it like at a race track.

Get Jim Vcik (?) to build you some grandstands like the ones he has for slotcars.

[squirrelhunter]

T trak has the advantage of only having a double track main, so you can make scenes that look more prototypical for much of the US. The trade off is limited module depth and tight curves on the standard corners

My understanding is there have been discussions about adopting a standard for broad radius corners, but they haven't come to anything as yet.

Kato makes really nice bread radius super elevated curves that are tailor made for something like this. The San Antonio  lub has corners with a single module between them because the Kato track parts transition in and out of the super elevation in 90 or 180 degrees. Trains look and operate very nicely around them. They do require setting tables back to back, but in a show setting, I've come to prefer such a setup. It gives space to work on stuff in front of the layout and provides buffer space when equipment makes the inevitable trip off the modules towards the floor.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

T trak has the advantage of only having a double track main, so you can make scenes that look more prototypical for much of the US. The trade off is limited module depth and tight curves on the standard corners

My understanding is there have been discussions about adopting a standard for broad radius corners, but they haven't come to anything as yet.

Kato makes really nice bread radius super elevated curves that are tailor made for something like this. The San Antonio  lub has corners with a single module between them because the Kato track parts transition in and out of the super elevation in 90 or 180 degrees. Trains look and operate very nicely around them. They do require setting tables back to back, but in a show setting, I've come to prefer such a setup. It gives space to work on stuff in front of the layout and provides buffer space when equipment makes the inevitable trip off the modules towards the floor.

Right! I knew there were bigger curves but I couldn't find them in the regular stuff.

That's the real thing holding bigger corners back: track.

My solution is just using the old model railroad visual trickery to hide the sharpness.

[squirrelhunter]

I may have a few photos of the SanTrak curves around, if I do I'll post them. They run auto racks and MT heavyweight cars on them and they look real good.

[arbomambo]

Firstly,
T-TRAK corners are not limited to the small radius corners and endcaps that many are familiar with. That is simply what was first developed and evolved, as more and more folks started getting into it. T-TRAK continues to evolve, and, although many clubs still arrange their layouts back-to-back, on a series of single width tables, many clubs set up in more of a 'freemo' style of layout. Our club, which uses backdrops/skyboards,  likes to set up against the wall, with a single row of modules, similar to an against the wall layout at home...We use special balloon loops to return the track, or set up peninsulas with junction modules to form larger balloon loops. We have built a whole series of larger radii 90 degree corners and 180 degree endcaps using the Kato 19"+ radii super elevated double track curves. We, too, dislike the way equipment looks as it navigates the small radii corners/endcaps. We can still set up with other clubs that use the smaller radii corners. If it occurs that we must set up in an oval 'racetrack' layout, the larger radii 180 degree endcap is perfectly balanced by two smaller radii corners with a single between them.
The only real standards for T-TRAK modules dictate the interface of one module to another (track spacing, track height, etc...) and the electrical interface (Kato connectors for each track). apart from those rigid standards, everything else is subject to the discretion of the individual or club. As long as a common bus wire can accept Kato connectors, then the sky is the limit as far as size of a setup/layout.
 T-TRAK can be as 'whimsical' as one wants (not my particular 'cup of tea'; or as prototype-based detailed as one can get. The T-TRAK concept accepts all and excludes none. Each individual (or club) decides on a 'theme' or, a lack of a 'theme'.
~Bruce

[arbomambo]

a very grainy Youtube video showing a larger radius endcap (with the doubletrack super-elevated curves) being tested with a Shinkansen (ughhhh) the other evening at our club's 'run night'.

[arbomambo]

...and if anyone may doubt what an be acomplished within a square foot of real estate, I would defer you to a couple of Bill Denton's T-TRAK modules...(yes, 'that' Bill Denton!)