Author Topic: Outsourcing NTrak Module Construction  (Read 1371 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

conrad

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 239
  • Gender: Male
  • Respect: +46
Outsourcing NTrak Module Construction
« on: February 08, 2020, 05:30:29 PM »
0
Just returned from my LINtrak monthly meeting in which we discussed the state of our club corner modules.  They are quite old and not in very good condition.  No one really volunteered to build new ones.  I also believe that "rehabbing" the existing ones would just whitewash the underlying structural, electrical and track problems.  Think adding MT couplers to an old Model Power/Mehano loco.  My suggestion was to outsource the construction of four new corner modules.  The idea is to get the basic module built: frame, legs, trackwork, and wiring.  Club members could then take them home and do the scenery.

Does this sound like a viable idea?  We could use our club trailer to pick them up within the Long Island/NYC metro area (or maybe farther) and of course pay for the work.

Conrad

peteski

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 31793
  • Gender: Male
  • Honorary Resident Curmudgeon
  • Respect: +4594
    • Coming (not so) soon...
Re: Outsourcing NTrak Module Construction
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2020, 06:34:46 PM »
0
How solidly are the current corner modules constructed?  If they have solid "bones", then I would think that ripping out the wiring and track (and stripping the scenery) would be easier and cheaper than starting from scratch. But if they are poorly built then starting from scratch makes sense.
. . . 42 . . .

Point353

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 3244
  • Respect: +714
Re: Outsourcing NTrak Module Construction
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2020, 08:07:31 PM »
0
Just returned from my LINtrak monthly meeting in which we discussed the state of our club corner modules. 
They are quite old and not in very good condition.  No one really volunteered to build new ones. 
My suggestion was to outsource the construction of four new corner modules. 
The idea is to get the basic module built: frame, legs, trackwork, and wiring. 
Club members could then take them home and do the scenery.
1) Maybe you could have this outfit quote on the construction of the modules you seek:
https://www.modelrailroadbenchwork.com/
https://www.modelrailroadbenchwork.com/custom-benchwork

Seems as though they can provide modules with roadbed installed, however you might have to lay the track.
They claim to ship nationwide.

2) The BANTRAK club sells wiring harnesses for modules.
http://bantrak.net/CompanyStore.php#N-TRAK_Module_Wiring_Harness

Hiroe

  • Crew
  • *
  • Posts: 590
  • Respect: +256
Re: Outsourcing NTrak Module Construction
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2021, 10:45:30 PM »
0
Did you ever find someone to build new corner frames for you?
wubba lubba dub dub