T-Trak What would keep you from building a TTRAK module?

[Maletrain]

It is obviously possible to make all sorts of modules that can fit together if they have a single Kato double-track piece on each end, sticking 1mm beyond the module edge.

But, that is not the whole "T-Trak Standard", which includes many other restrictions intended to allow anybody to make a module that can fit into any standard T-Trak setup.

If a group wants to facilitate "better" ops with non-standard modules, that seems entirely doable.  But, those non-standard modules may or may not be welcome at other T-Trak meets that have different agendas. So, those who decide to put the effort into making a module need to consider where they might not be able to use it, and decide if that matters to them.

That said, I still think that there can be some enjoyable ops with standard modules, especially if they are DCC and have crossovers.  (Yes, even DCC is not completely "standard", but it is easily applied to fully standard modules.)

I am starting to grapple with this now, as I attempt to get my club to get into T-Trak.  I think that being able to facilitate ops on a small T-Trak setup will be more attractive to new participants than simply running a few trains around in circles on those small setups.  And, I think it  can be done with modules that would also be fully compliant to the standard.

[arbomambo]

What is a T-TRAK ‘standard’ layout?

[Maletrain]

I don't think there is a standard layout.  The standards apply to module sizes, shapes, wiring, track type and track placement on module edges.

Even those standards seem to get bent pretty far, with larger radius corners, modules that stick out to the front farther, modules that go much deeper than the 2.75" standard below track level, etc.  But, those are not going to be able to fit on a 30" wide table in 2 rows.

[Olivani]

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I am starting to grapple with this now, as I attempt to get my club to get into T-Trak.  I think that being able to facilitate ops on a small T-Trak setup will be more attractive to new participants than simply running a few trains around in circles on those small setups.  And, I think it  can be done with modules that would also be fully compliant to the standard.

PM on this topic incoming...

[Olivani]

Wow ! Gents, where's your sense of humor gone ? Already 3 7 down votes for my common sense joke 

[davefoxx]

Wow ! Gents, where's your sense of humor gone ? Already 3 down votes for my common sense joke 

Perhaps you used the wrong emoji in your original post.  I would have suggested instead of , [/ducks for cover], or my personal favorite, [/pulls pin, counts to three, and throws]. Ain’t trolling fun? 🤣

DFF

[MK]

Or have your attorney speak for you.   

[Olivani]

Perhaps you used the wrong emoji in your original post.  I would have suggested instead of , [/ducks for cover], or my personal favorite, [/pulls pin, counts to three, and throws]. Ain’t trolling fun? 🤣

DFF

Fair enough. And thanks for taking the time to answer and not just down vote, I appreciate that.

[Iain]

welp, i bought some unitrack.


i wonder how well the tomytec track mates up with the kato track.

[arbomambo]

The Kato transition track, now marketed as a ‘snap track’ transition piece, was originally designed to quickly mate with Tomix track.

[brill27mcb]

You actually don't need the Kato adapter track:
http://www.trainweb.org/tomix/intro/index.htm#adapter

You can just cut the plastic roadbed prong off the end of a piece of Tomix track and move rail joiners around so there's one on each rail. A bigger issue is the need to shim up the Tomix track, since it's plastic roadbed is not as deep as Kato's. The Kato adapter track has that shelf on the end specifically to support Tomix track. Same issue with regular Code 80 track, only more so since it has no roadbed at all.

Rich K.

[Maletrain]

[bump]

Could the answer to the original question be because TRW doesn't have a dedicated section for T-Trak?   

Seriously, I think it's time for one.  Burying something like arbomambo's Chattanooga 2026 announcement in a "weekend update" doesn't seem to be the place for discussing something that big.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/46/2607-010225205226.jpeg

I have lots of questions.  For starters, how far is it around the entire outside loop?  And what sort of control system will be used?

Potential T-Trak module builder still want to know, even thou it is already too late to make that particular show.

[peteski]

[bump]

Could the answer to the original question be because TRW doesn't have a dedicated section for T-Trak?   

I'm curious why T-Trak would  warrant a separate section but not NTRAK?  I see the trolling emoticon, but seriously, is there so much T-Trak discussions going on TRW to warrant a dedicated section?  We just have one thread and some individual posts, usually in WU threads.

[basementcalling]

I'm curious why T-Trak would  warrant a separate section but not NTRAK?  I see the trolling emoticon, but seriously, is there so much T-Trak discussions going on TRW to warrant a dedicated section?  We just have one thread and some individual posts, usually in WU threads.

IKR, it's not like TTRAK has 33280 posts or some huge amount like that. 

What about a modular layout section then for all things NRAIL or FreeMoN?