·
An ‘unglamorous’ side of T-TRAK module modeling :
upgrading an older single.
The late Russell Higginbotham briefly produced some very nice lightweight laser-cut single module kits about 6 years ago.
However, his machine was small and he couldn’t produce a full 308mm long single; his kit built up to about 304mm in length. And, although the Kato track used was the correct length (310mm), the use of this module left a larger gap between adjacent modules.
I built one of these modules 6 years ago and detailed it to fit in with my Southwestern ‘Mother Road’ series of modules, and although it looked good, the larger gap always bothered me.
So, as I was in the process of fine-tuning my modules in anticipation of some upcoming shows (including the 2026 Chattanooga The National T-TRAK Layout record-breaker this July/August) I decided to start bringing this module ‘up’ to the level of the others by adding material to the sides to help eliminate the larger-than-normal gap produced by being shorter than the standard single.
To this end, I purchased some basswood sheet at the local Hobby Lobby, measured, and cut it to match the dimensions of the sides of the module, then applied wood glue, affixed them in place, and, with the help of a few clamps, let the whole thing cure and dry overnight.
I then sanded them flush, added wood filler to the seams, let that dry overnight, then sanded all of it flush.
I now had to fill in the top seam. This I’ve done with lightweight spackle (the same product I use to create the shoulders on my chipboard roads).
When this is dry, I’ll paint it with my latex Cajon Sandstone mixed matte interior paint, then add my desert mix ground cover to blend it all together. I’ll also have to add some more Kato ballast to fill in the outside edges.
Then repaint the fascia and re-add the name plaque.
