T-Trak The National T-TRAK Layout

[arbomambo]

 aboard the Chattanooga Choo Choo!
It’s happening! Our sights are set to break the current T-TRAK layout record at the 2026 NMRA convention in Chattanooga,Tennessee – July 30-August 2, 2026
In conjunction with the NMRA’s National Convention in Chattanooga, the NMRA’s National Train Show has given us 10,000 square feet of space in their 100,000 square feet exhibit hall at the Chattanooga Convention Center to break the T-TRAK layout world record that we set previously at the NMRA’s National Train Show in Kansas City, 2018. (You don’t have to be an NMRA member to participate, nor do you have to register for the convention)
YES, it is 2 years out and by planning standards that is not as long as it may seem. We need time to plan, coordinate, and execute with each of you. We‘re calling for participants, modules, boosters, and bus, among other things. Fill out, and complete, online form, located at www.nationalt-traklayout.com so you can be included and take part in this record breaking event!"
  In addition to participating, with your module(s), and running trains, in this record breaking event, there will be raffles, contests, prizes, giveaways from various manufacturers, and a special breakfast and awards banquet exclusively for the participants, their significant others and our sponsors! I’m thrilled to announce that ScaleTrains has partnered with us to not only sponsor the “Best in Show” T-TRAK module contest at this event, which includes a beautiful trophy and a $250 gift certificate, but is providing the first 150 participants that sign up and pay for the National T-TRAK Layout breakfast and awards banquet, a certificate to be redeemed for a special run n scale car!

[MK]

This sounds awesome!

Has anyone thought about contacting the Guinness people (no, not the adult beverage  ) and make sure they are present or whatever their protocol is to get something registered as a World Record in their book?

[arbomambo]

I agree that having them ‘certify’ would be a neat advertising gimmick but I don’t have around $25,000 dollars laying around.
That’s what they require to ‘certify’ with their name.
Crazy…!
A record is a record, regardless of whether they ‘certify’ it or not.

[MK]

WHAT???!!!!     They want $25k to certify???  Money grab!   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

WHAT???!!!!     They want $25k to certify???  Money grab!   

I mean, it IS a for profit company.

[C855B]

A big part of it has to be a disincentive against every TikTok idiot (or whomever) from trying stupid things for the "official" notoriety of being in the Guinness book. Judging from what I've seen, the high price of admission has probably saved a lot of guys from themselves.

[MK]

Actually it's quite cheap for an individual, about $5 or so.  It's only if you are an organization or business that you need to use their "consultancy service" for a quote.  Typical business model of if you are an organization you must have a ton of money.

https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/apply-to-set-or-break-a-record/

[arbomambo]

Even at this early date, we already have registered more than half the participants that participated in the current record setting layout in Kansas City, with over 220 modules of various sizes commited.
We expect to have over 650 modules, of all sizes, in this layout!

[wm3798]

TTrak Thread!

[John]

I think it's good enough for NRail to "certify" a "world record" for TT ..

[arbomambo]

A few quick facts about the 2026 Chattanooga The National T-TRAK Layout.
The layout will occupy a 10,000 sq ft space (100x100)
The current world record for T-TRAK layouts, previously set by us 2018 in Kansas City, occupied a 50’x75’ space.
The 2026 Chattanooga National T-TRAK Layout contains 1570 single-equivalent modules!
The 2018 Kansas City layout featured 732 single equivalent modules.
Remember, although the layout is currently full, we are accepting modules on a stand by basis!
AND we continue to accept participants without modules who want to be a part of this world record-breaking event!

[John]

AND we continue to accept participants without modules who want to be a part of this world record-breaking event!

I can bring some trains and just get a run slot? 

[arbomambo]

I can bring some trains and just get a run slot?

Only if you fill out, submit a participation form and actively assist and participate with the 4 day setup and operation of the layout.
One cannot ‘just show up’ and run a train.
Only active registered participants are allowed to run a train on the layout.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm kinda bummed this was all planned this far out.

I'm a huge T-TRAK fan, but I can't commit to an event like this this far out.

I hope there were a few spaces "reserved" for later registrants that might be made available as we get closer. I'd hate to miss out.

[jmarley76]

This looks pretty cool! Not sure if I can get me act together to participate, but Chattanooga is not too far and I can a lest commit to attending at this point.

I was lucky to get to participate with an area club at the 2008 N Scale Convention in Louisville, KY. I got to run my 65 car train around the entirety of the N Trak layout. It took 4 or 5 hours, and was amazing to run a train over modules I had only seen in magazines. Oops, I just dated myself - do magazines even exist anymore?