T-Trak The N scale Pennsy Juniata Division 2.0 - TTrak!

[Dave V]

I'm mocking up the interlocking module (the sliver thing is the "relay cabinet" housing for the signal detector) and I was wondering about how the crossovers should be set up. I'm inclined to do it this way with the crossover coming from outside to inside in order to avoid S curves when the module is adjacent to a corner piece...but does it look weird and unsafe having the crossover track pointing at the interlocking tower?

[robert3985]

I'm mocking up the interlocking module (the sliver thing is the "relay cabinet" housing for the signal detector) and I was wondering about how the crossovers should be set up. I'm inclined to do it this way with the crossover coming from outside to inside in order to avoid S curves when the module is adjacent to a corner piece...but does it look weird and unsafe having the crossover track pointing at the interlocking tower?

If you can find an existing Pennsy satellite photo on Google Earth of a track arrangement/location that's similar (or very close) to what you're doing, then go by that.  For all of my UP trackage and structure placement on my modular layout, I've got both old aerial photos and satellite photos, as well as valuation maps to go by.  Older satellite photos are good if you can find older structures still standing in them and maybe the track plan hasn't changed over time.  Valuation maps are invaluable because they give structure dimensions, fence lines, access roads, power pole locations, turnout sizes, highway locations, drainage ditch locations, fire hydrant locations...and a lot more...small details that are invaluable for anybody wanting to build a semi-prototype scene.

When I built my first set of NTrak modules, I didn't know anything at all about the locations of the turnouts, why they were where they were, or why the structures were located in relationship to turnouts, signal towers/bridges etc.,  I just compressed the linear distance so I could fit Devil's Slide/Ideal Concrete Plant and Wilhelmina Pass into two 6' modules, but I kept the track plan and structure location pretty close to what my photos and valuation maps told me, and it had a subtle, but definite prototype "look" about it.

Later, when the club decided we wanted to do operations at where we were permanently set up, my track plan...which was very close to the prototype track plan, worked without any modifications...not because of MY knowledge, but because I had copied the prototype's plan.

Now, 40 years later, I know a lot more about UP's standards as far as track and structure locating is concerned, along with a host of other small details that helps me capture the flavor of UP and Weber/Echo Canyons, but, since I'm still modeling prototype locations, I still just copy the track work from what I find on my valuation maps of 1950's Ogden/Riverdale, Devil's Slide, Echo, Wahsatch and Wilhelmina Pass...along with additional photos I take myself, or I research for additional typical UP details.

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you probably don't already know Dave, but, I still catch things that I didn't know before almost every day as I'm perusing my library of UP and SP books on various subjects.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[randgust]

PRR IRV tower in Irvine, PA was by a rather horrible, high-hazard interlocking, right at the points.

PRR OTTS in Warren wasn't much better, just inside the junction angle -  but a double crossover right there.

MG tower Altoona was up on the hill from the curve with a huge nest of crossovers right in front of it.

My own experience was at E-L's DV tower, Falconer, NY, where there were double crossovers right in front.  About 1990 Conrail derailed right there, and multiple spine cars of lumber dumped right into the side of the stone tower but didn't take it out.  I have photos....

The last surviving rod-operated tower I ever saw was at Hancock, WV, and it was certainly close enough!
https://position-light.blogspot.com/2011/05/inside-hancock-tower.html

I think you're as good as you can be and fit it on the module constraint.

[Dave V]

The crossover between tracks 2 and 3 at Jacks pointed away from the tower. But since I’m representing a 4-track main with 2 tracks, I don’t know how well that translates. On one hand I want to avoid operational problems. On the other, I don’t even know how often I would even use the crossovers.

[Missaberoad]

On one hand I want to avoid operational problems.

IMHO this should be your deciding factor.

Especially with the unprototypically sharp curves typical of T Trak giving yourself every advantage for reliable operation should be paramount.

Historically your frustration from N scale stems from operational issues, and at best you're going to have a (very well made) simulacrum of a PRR interlocking. Might as well go for bullet proof operation.

A quick search shows its not out of the realm of the prototype.

CP tower in Larimer, PA has a similar layout.

https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/PRR_Diagrams/cp_larimer.gif

Im sure there are other examples but I didn't look too deeply.

https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/PRR_Diagrams/itlk_alpha.html

[Point353]

I'm mocking up the interlocking module (the sliver thing is the "relay cabinet" housing for the signal detector) and I was wondering about how the crossovers should be set up. I'm inclined to do it this way with the crossover coming from outside to inside in order to avoid S curves when the module is adjacent to a corner piece...but does it look weird and unsafe having the crossover track pointing at the interlocking tower?

If you're really into research, then you can search through all of the interlocking diagrams here:
https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/PRR_Diagrams/itlk_alpha.html

While there are four tracks at 'CP', the two tracks nearest the tower have their crossovers pointed at the tower.
Maybe that's good enough for you?
https://www.redoveryellow.com/position-light/PRR_Diagrams/cp_larimer.gif

[davefoxx]

That track chart is a handy resource.  Looks prototypical to me, and your tower operators get a front row seat when something picks a point rail. 

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Fun fact: If you drop a map printed to scale on a module... It'd probably just be straight track on the module.

But when it comes to his stuff a bunch of liberties must be taken.

And given Dave's aims with his T-TRAK endeavors, none of this really matters. He just wants it to look cool.

And I think he's on the right path for that.

[Dave V]

Thanks for the awesome discussion, guys!

I think I'll err on the side of operational reliability and leave the crossover the way it is... It's more likely to be adjacent to an outside corner than an inside corner.

[randgust]

Just for everyone's sanity, if you are using Kato 4's or the crossover panel, mod the stock rails to nest the points in.  Stock Kato 4's are notorious for diverging point derailments.  Lots of threads on how to fix that.   
It was so bad last year on our Ttrak setup this year I'm bring a Dremel and taking things into my own hands if I have to.  Always on the junction pieces, diverging route facing point.

[Dave V]

Just for everyone's sanity, if you are using Kato 4's or the crossover panel, mod the stock rails to nest the points in.  Stock Kato 4's are notorious for diverging point derailments.  Lots of threads on how to fix that.   
It was so bad last year on our Ttrak setup this year I'm bring a Dremel and taking things into my own hands if I have to.  Always on the junction pieces, diverging route facing point.

Got it, and yep, that's the plan for the Huntingdon module. This is a pair of those #6 crossovers where I painted the concrete ties to look like wood.

[wm3798]

So should we expect to see you in Altoona in September?
Lee

[Dave V]

So should we expect to see you in Altoona in September?
Lee

You should not, no. I do have a trip to central Pennsylvania in September, but it's for the Penn State-Oregon "White Out" game.

I had to switch jobs (thanks for nothing DOGE) so I'm not exactly rolling in the PTO at the moment.