Clear track?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Just saw this on MBK's website:
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kato-n-20016a-unitrack-transparent-display-open-pit-track-7-5-16-8/

Basically, it's clear unitrack.

So who's gonna be the first to do a model of that railroad that runs through the creek?

[garethashenden]

So who's gonna be the first to do a model of that railroad that runs through the creek?

You are!

[jdcolombo]

Well, it's being marketed as an "open pit" track, and indeed the ties do not go all the way across.  So, presumably meant for pit unloading situations.  Not a bad idea, really - got a steam loco service facility?  This is the ash dump or coal dump (where the skip loader then fills the coaling tower).  Grain dump for grain hoppers in later layouts.  Etc.

Don't think we're going to see transparent turnouts any time soon . . . though that would be, uh, interesting . . .

John C.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, it's being marketed as an "open pit" track, and indeed the ties do not go all the way across.  So, presumably meant for pit unloading situations.  Not a bad idea, really - got a steam loco service facility?  This is the ash dump or coal dump (where the skip loader then fills the coaling tower).  Grain dump for grain hoppers in later layouts.  Etc.

Don't think we're going to see transparent turnouts any time soon . . . though that would be, uh, interesting . . .

John C.

I've got the non-transparent version. I think this is actually for display cases or something like that, but the possibilities ARE interesting.

[Sharky_McSharknose]

I wonder if the clear base could good for flooding scenes where only the rails are visible...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

THAT's what I was thinking!

[davefoxx]

When Ed posted this earlier, a flood scene immediately came to mind.  But, the more I think about it, I’d probably still use regular Unitrak and tinted Envirotex.  That would allow the track to gradually disappear into the “water.”  I’ve actually been seriously thinking about the mechanics of this, and my T-Trak module has gone nowhere scenically, so . . .  hmm.

DFF

[peteski]

When Ed posted this earlier, a flood scene immediately came to mind.  But, the more I think about it, I’d probably still use regular Unitrak and tinted Envirotex.  That would allow the track to gradually disappear into the “water.”  I’ve actually been seriously thinking about the mechanics of this, and my T-Trak module has gone nowhere scenically, so . . .  hmm.

DFF

I've seen some clever NTRAK modules which showed how the module is constructed. It starts on one end as just track and wooden base (with the cutouts to show the module wiring, then it progresses to terrain shapes (styrofoam or plaster), onto some basic ground work, then the other end is fully scenicked and weathered.   

I suppose the same can be shown on a T-TRAK module and the clear roadbed track would be perfect for that purpose.  Make half of the module using Plexiglas for base and install clear track.  That way the wiring and module "frame" would be visible, then continue towards the other end showing fully snickered module.

[diezmon]

Definitely not invisalign.

[EmdFan]

With all the retro talk here lately when I saw the title of the thread my mind went to this  :

[MK]

A vendor was selling this at the Edison, NJ show over the weekend.  Pretty cool.

[wazzou]

Curious if he was selling it or had it for sale?

[VonRyan]

Just saw this on MBK's website:
https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/kato-n-20016a-unitrack-transparent-display-open-pit-track-7-5-16-8/

Basically, it's clear unitrack.

So who's gonna be the first to do a model of that railroad that runs through the creek?

This is what I get for speaking within earshot of Kato reps.
This is essentially part of an idea I've had for a few years now for an "Invisible" module.

[OldEastRR]

Make half of the module using Plexiglas for base and install clear track.  That way the wiring and module "frame" would be visible, then continue towards the other end showing fully snickered module.

If anybody is going to build a fully snickered module, would it be Peteski, Lee, Ed or DKS?

[CRL]

Wouldn’t the Snickers melt in the trailers on the way to the show?