T-Trak T-Trak Module Build * Lake Erie Huletts

[btrain]

I’m very much looking forward to progress on this build. Always wanted to build the Conrail Whiskey Island ones for a Free-moN return loop. If anyone is looking for a great reference on building a Hulett, the Oct. 2007 edition of Rail Model Craftsman has a great article. It details how to scratch build one from styrene with drawings and a materials list.

[garethashenden]

The Huletts are still there too... In that pile of brush.

I believe they were scrapped about a year ago, after failing to find a way to preserve them.

[randgust]

And if you wanted to absolutely blow everyone's mind, figure out how to animate them.

See ya in a couple years in Altoona!

And before you think that's nuts, you need to look at that video for the drive and control system of the funicular (Duquesne Incline) as modelled in N.   That was the runaway best of show at Altoona in 2025.

[Laughlin Jones]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Just an quick update on the plan.

Right now I think I need to build one of the huletts to help mock track etc up. This will help me make a final decision on how I want to construct the module.

Life is busy, so moving forward my goal is a bi monthly update... Stay tuned!

I believe they were scrapped about a year ago, after failing to find a way to preserve them.

Sadly is the case, I was up there a couple weeks back for work and did see a arm and bucket assembly in the weeds towards the south east of the facility.

[basementcalling]

Too bad Pete Nolan of N scale ships passed away. He was offering a Hulett kit, or at least it was on his website.

How will you lay out a track plan? I'm assuming you'd have to build enough modules to have you own lobe of a larger TTRAK layout?

[nickelplate759]

Found this, appears to be 3d printed...

https://nscaleships.com/n-z-scale-ship-index/hulett-automatic-unloader/

Edit..

Never mind ( see below)

[reinhardtjh]

Found this, appears to be 3d printed...

https://nscaleships.com/n-z-scale-ship-index/hulett-automatic-unloader/

That's Pete Nolan's @pnolan48 old site.    R.I.P. Pete 

[fcnrwy23]

Very Impressive idea... 
To get a least ONE of them to be animated, would be Mind Blowing.. 
And a Great Tribute to Mr. Nolan..

Will keep on eye on your work.. 

Jerry

[Laughlin Jones]

QUESTION FOR THE T-TRAK PEOPLE


 I have looked at the standards a few times, module height 2.75 - 4" 

Now comes the assuming........ Never good!    When set up at an event is the goal to dial all the modules in at a 4" deck height thus building the module to max height would eliminate the ability to adjust it to mate up with the adjacent modules?


Again I do not plan on taking this to a bunch of shows, but would like to ability to take it.


Keep the wheels on the rail,

Laughlin

[Chris333]

One of the Erie Official Photo books shows the construction of their Huletts in Cleveland.

[chessie system fan]

In my experience,  the modules are close to the table surface. However, some tables can have a serious sag in the middle that requires lots of leg fiddling to keep the track all at the same height.

[MK]

QUESTION FOR THE T-TRAK PEOPLE


 I have looked at the standards a few times, module height 2.75 - 4" 

Now comes the assuming........ Never good!    When set up at an event is the goal to dial all the modules in at a 4" deck height thus building the module to max height would eliminate the ability to adjust it to mate up with the adjacent modules?


Again I do not plan on taking this to a bunch of shows, but would like to ability to take it.


Keep the wheels on the rail,

Laughlin

No, we adjust to the LOWEST common denominator depending on the quality of the tables.  The bigger the gap between the bottom of  modules and tables, the more "cheesy" it looks.     So, don't build a 4" module and eliminate the adjustability.

Follow the T-Trak specifications.

[Jesse6669]

That's Pete Nolan's @pnolan48 old site.    R.I.P. Pete

That's a real shame, I wonder if anyone has access to the files to potentially keep these models in "production" somehow?  I use quotes because I'm sure it was a very labor-of-love type of operation.