T-Trak The National T-TRAK Layout

[arbomambo]

Lots of news this past week concerning the The National T-TRAK Layout!
In addition to adding new sponsors, as we’ve plugged individual modules into the layout, we found a way to expand some of the peninsulas, which opened up a few areas to more participants WITH modules!!!
 Please, if you are serious about participating with a module for this incredible event, AND, can make the committment to participate across all four days of the event (July 30 through August 2, 2026), complete AND submit your participation form NOW before these extra spots are filled!
Go to www.nationalt-traklayout.com and submit your registration form!

[arbomambo]

Remember!
You can STILL be a part of this sure-to-be memorable and epic world record-breaking event, even without a T-TRAK module!
We need workers and helpers to assist us in module/participant reception, setup, testing, and operating and monitoring the layout during the 4 day event - July 30 through August 2, 2026.
All participants will receive full participatory benefits INCLUDING being able to operate a train on the layout!
If you want to be part of this historic event, and can commit to assisting us the full 4 days, please go to www.nationalt-traklayout.com and complete and submit your participation/registration form

[arbomambo]

Folks,
The 2026 Chattanooga National T-TRAK Layout is OFFICIALLY full and complete!!!!
No more modules are being accepted from this point forward.
However, we are STILL accepting participants, without modules, who are willing to help throughout the 4 days we will be setting up, testing, operating, and monitoring the world record-breaking layout! July 30th through August 2nd, 2026!

[arbomambo]

bump

[arbomambo]

Hello all!
 An update on The National T-TRAK Layout at the NMRA's Scenic City Express National Convention's National Train Show on August 1st and 2nd, 2026.
As some of you may know, planning for this event has been in place for over two years now; ever since it was revealed the 2026 National Convention would take place in Chattanooga. A planning committee was formed then and we've been meeting every month via Zoom, working on everything from power and infrastructure  needs, to Rules and Guidelines governing Operations, Participant Code of Conduct, Layout Appearance guidelines, and schedule for arriving, unloading, reception, and module inspection on set up day.
The 10,000 sq. ft layout filled up over a year ago (less than 7 months after a call for participants), and, as of this date, includes 149 individual participants WITH modules, and 167 participants in total). 
a few statistics:
   The layout occupies 10,000 sq ft and consists of 880 individual modules of all sizes (this includes singles, doubles, triples, quads, and some 'quints'!)
If the layout were converted to single-equivalent modules only, it would consist of 1.704 individual single modules!
   The layout is DCC only and divided into 16 individual power districts, governed and managed by separate Digitrax DB210s with corresponding power managers (either PM42s or PM74s). At least 10 Digitrax LNRPs will provide protected loconet throughout the layout.
    A Digitrax DCS240 Command station will run the layout, with both Duplex provided by Digitrax UR93, and WiFi provided by Hi-Speed routers (running JMRI - Steve Todd will assist us at the Command Station)
  All operating participants will be assigned their own number (starting with 1001) to which any locomotives that they will operate will be programmed (plenty of address changers will be on hand to assist those who didn't come with their locos programmed. Participants will only operate one train, per participant, at a time.
 A large screen monitor will be set up at the command station so that participants can easily view their slots on the layout.



A unique feature of the layout will be the two 'Double Cross' double diamond junctions at opposite corners of the layout...these two modules, combined with the adjacent junctions, direct trains onto the yellow line, increasing the overall "Scenic City Route" line, which is estimated to be over 71 scale miles...



In addition to the actual layout, we, The National T-TRAK Layout, are also, in conjunction with ScaleTrains, are having an Awards Breakfast Banquet on Sunday morning, August 2nd, before the last day of the Train Show opens to the public. In addition, we are offering dozens of door prizes, and raffles of items generously donated by our many sponsors, in addition to providing free goodie, swag, shopping bags to all participants, also filled with items from our sponsors, INCLUDING the iconic Moon Pies from Chattanooga Bakery, and treats from McKee Bakeries, better known as Little Debbies (in the adjacent Chattanooga suburb of CollegeDale)!



We continue to raise the money we need for the 220 8' tables which we will need for the layout and are almost to our goal.
We have done this by soliciting sponsorship and by selling 'extra fare' items at www.nationalt-traklayout.com. Including the Official T-TRAK module alignment tool, and the Official extended length rerailer (at 11" long, perfect for those Big Boys, Baldwin Centipedes, and articulated rolling stock)





Although the layout is technically full, we are ALWAYS looking for participants without modules who want to help us operate the layout during setup and the Train Show. Participants without modules will have FULL participant benefits including all the freebies and being able to operate trains on the layout.
As an additional note, ScaleTrains, in addition to sponsoring the layout, is also building, as an office project, modules to participate in the layout! Their build blog can be seen on their Facebook group page and their website.
If you wish to participate in the layout (without a module), please visit www.nationalt-traklayout.com and submit your registration/participation form ASAP!

[southernman]

A little less than four weeks. I can’t wait to see this.

[N Scale Train Boy]

I WISH I could be there... have fun folks! Might wind up sending a train car or two down at least to have my railroad represented lol.

[arbomambo]

History was made July 31st, August 1st, and 2nd, at the NMRA’s Scenic City Express Convention and National Train Show when we set the NEW world record for T-TRAK layouts!
Over 170 participants from 49 states, DC, Australia, and Denmark, over 750 individual modules of all sizes, 93.47 N scale miles of mainline run (taking over 2 hours at an average scale speed of 45mph)
Over 100 of our participants made the full run, many did it multiple times!

The layout was a massive hit with the NMRA and The National Train Show crowd.
Apart from an initial booster phasing issue after setting up Friday afternoon (we used 21 Digitrax DB210 boosters powering and managing 84 sub-districts) that was soon corrected, the layout ran beautifully! No doubt due to the 2-1/2 years of hard work and planning from our layout planning committee.
We also, in conjunction with ScaleTrains, hosted a breakfast banquet for our participants on Sunday morning. All of our breakfast attendees received a certificate from ScaleTrains to be redeemed for a special-run ScaleTrains car!
 Speakers at our breakfast included ScaleTrains, Kato, Midwest Models, and NMRA President Gordy Robinson.
Also, all of our participants, upon checking on Thursday, July 30th, received a goody/swag bag filled with items donated by our many sponsors, including moon pies from Chattanooga Bakery and treats from Little Debbies!
Here are a few pics during the show, showing the massive crowds weaving throughout the entire layout.






And a few before the show opened:









Many more pics and videos to come….

Before breakdown on Sunday, Mike Wong, being Mike Wong, helped wrangle everyone together for another world record, the largest Virtual Railfan ‘wave’!!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1V93ePJsK1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

[arbomambo]

[MK]

Before breakdown on Sunday, Mike Wong, being Mike Wong, helped wrangle everyone together for another world record, the largest Virtual Railfan ‘wave’!!!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1V93ePJsK1/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Oh dear!  I didn't know I was captured on film!  I'm so embarrassed now!   

Virtual Railfan is working on the official group photo and will send it to me when it's done.  I will give it to Bruce to distribute.

What-an-amazing-great-time!!!!!!!!

[arbomambo]

Rewind and watch st the 3:08 minute marker!

[EJN]

This thread on the MRH forums has photos of most of the modules.

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/nmra-2026-chattanooga-day-5-jeff-goes-insane-world-record-ttrak-layout-13872195

[MK]

This thread on the MRH forums has photos of most of the modules.

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/nmra-2026-chattanooga-day-5-jeff-goes-insane-world-record-ttrak-layout-13872195

That's cool!  Found my module!   

[Dave V]

Very impressive scale!

But from a aesthetic perspective, I'm a little more critical. I'll be the first to say that all that's important is that the builder had fun. But to my personal tastes, maybe 25% of those individual modules appealed to me. And it's pretty easy to guess which ones...

I have "feelings" about the Star Wars ones in particular, LOL. Honestly? That's some very, very impressive modeling. But as part of a model railroad?  I'm sue they were wildly popular. But I think they'd also work exceptionally well as stand-alone military dioramas.

Nope, the ones that looked like something I'd see in the real world, where care was taken with colors and textures, and the track was treated with paint and ballast...those are the ones that appeal to me.

[KSTXFLID]

Completely agree Dave.

I can appreciate different levels of modeling skill as long as the effort is apparent. I also gravitate toward real world representations. Some left me with a "what's the point" reaction.
Everyone finds enjoyment in there own way and T-Trak seems to cater to that very well.

Fantasy can be fascinating from a modeling perspective and does interest certain demographics that shouldn't be overlooked. I am just not that demographic. 

Overall very impressive effort to get that many modules together and operating.

May thanks to those involved and for documenting and sharing for those of us who didn't attend.