Weekend Update 5/4/25

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Progress on the Z scale X-67 boxcar.  It still needs more weathering, especially to the doors.   Prototype inspiration here.

Sploosh

[Maletrain]

Panel mount to hold 2x2 Anderson Powerpole connectors.  Not buttons.  You will need a cable that will connect to that and the other ends are Kato mini-Tamiya connectors that would connect to the T-Trak spline bus.

I thought T-Trak modules were connected by Tamiya connectors to the bus, and that the Anderson Power Poles were only used to connect segments of the bus to each other. 

Is this some sort of off-standard design?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I thought T-Trak modules were connected by Tamiya connectors to the bus, and that the Anderson Power Poles were only used to connect segments of the bus to each other. 

Is this some sort of off-standard design?

People often get really wrapped up about T-TRAK wiring and standards.

The "standard" is to use the Kato connectors to connect things up. But if you're building stuff you can really do whatever you want if you just need it to be interoperable with your own (or your like-minded club's) stuff.

If you want that to interface with a bigger layout, just make sure you can get back to that standard (so a powerpole to Kato converter cable) and you're good to go.

Also, it's important to note: the Tamiya connectors are similar to the Kato ones and can work with them, but if you want to be sure of connectivity you've gotta go Kato.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

More progress on SRC 89:

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See the thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=59483.msg820854#new

Also, Timonium weekend!

Which meant seeing 5835 on Horseshoe Curve.

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[C855B]

Progress on the Z scale X-67 boxcar.  It still needs more weathering, especially to the doors.   Prototype inspiration here.

Incredible. Jesse, your Z scale work is just awesome overall. Never would guess from the pix that it's as small as it really is. Wow.

[robert3985]

Clearance cutouts to allow attaching the unitrack from the undersides with screws. Ever wonder what those molded tubes on the underside of Kato Unitrack are for?

No. 

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[MK]

Panel mount to hold 2x2 Anderson Powerpole connectors.  Not buttons.  You will need a cable that will connect to that and the other ends are Kato mini-Tamiya connectors that would connect to the T-Trak spline bus.

I thought T-Trak modules were connected by Tamiya connectors to the bus, and that the Anderson Power Poles were only used to connect segments of the bus to each other. 

Is this some sort of off-standard design?

No, you are correct and that's exactly what I said.  You would need a cable that have Anderson on one end and Kato on the other end so you can connect to the power bus.

Above module with 2x2 panel mount Anderson <-> Anderson-Kato cable <-> T-Trak power bus.

The OP's module is probably used at home or elsewhere that may have different connectors.  Making a different cable for each situation leaves the module alone.

[Iain]

Wow , weren't you the one that was working to restore a tugboat or tugboat part ? Congrats , hope you succeeded on both .

i used to live on the tugboat Arthur Foss, but that was years ago.  I do still work on the steamship Virginia V, but that is a volunteer gig.  I pay my rent and buy model trains by working on software for amazon kuiper as my day job.

[crrcoal]

Also, Timonium weekend!

Which meant seeing 5835 on Horseshoe Curve.

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What module was this? That's beautiful!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What module was this? That's beautiful!

The BANTRAK Horseshoe Curve.
It works as both NTRAK and Freemo-N, so keep an eye for it at Altoona.

[bbunge]

The BANTRAK Horseshoe Curve.
It works as both NTRAK and Freemo-N, so keep an eye for it at Altoona.

Horseshoe Curve won't make Altoona this year, but be sure to look for it at future Great Scale shows. 

Bob

[davefoxx]

New couplers, decals, and in service on Amtrak in 1972 as the former Penn Central “Octoraro Rapids” 10-6 sleeper.



More on The Carolina Sandhills Lines thread in the Layout Engineering forum.

DFF