Southern Utah T-Trak
#1
Time to move this over here:

Hello all!
As our club does not have a permanent location to meet, we don't have a place to build a layout at. When we have our regular meetings, we can't run trains (a big problem for a train club ) For the past year or so, I have been trying to come up with some way to build a layout that we could carry easily and put together quickly and take down quickly. We have the bend track modules, but at 4x3 for each of the two balloons, they aren't transportable in my little car. We came up with several ideas, but all were starting from scratch with measurements and building. Finally, I heard about T-Trak (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://ttrak.org/">http://ttrak.org/</a><!-- m -->). The modules are REALLY small and they are light and they setup VERY quickly. I was watching a Youtube video of an Australian T-Trak club and they put together a large yard in seconds, that was good enough for me. Plus all the measurements were already done so no reinventing the wheel!

Minimum you need four corners, and also some straights to add some length. We glued the modules together one night:

Straight Module:
[Image: straighttop.jpg]

Corner Module:
[Image: cornertop.jpg]

You set these up on a table, so you put bolts and T-Washers on so that you can level them. Here are the undersides of the modules:

Straight:
[Image: straightunder.jpg]

Corner:
[Image: cornerunder.jpg]

A few of our members do not like the 3-tracks on N-Track, so they were happy so see it is only dual track. Here is what the modules look like with track on:

Straight:
[Image: straighttrack.jpg]

Corner:
[Image: cornertrack.jpg]

Will start painting these soon and decorating them. I am hopeful that with their small size, I can get lots of people around here interested in building their own little piece and the layout will grow and grow. For now I am building 4 corners and 4 straights and Mooreway is building six straights, will show more pictures as we update them.
Scott
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#2
I put all the modules next to each other and laid the track down because I wanted to test whether or not my longest cars can be next to each other without touching. I tested the corners and even offset they don't touch, so it appears that 33mm is good spacing between n scale tracks. Next step, paint the modules. I am going to paint the sides midnight green, and the tops honeycomb, and then glue the track on.

[Image: trakplan.jpg]
Scott
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#3
I painted the modules and moved them into the train room. It is interesting to me that when I painted them, the green looks almost black on my dark dining room table, but it looks way more green on my ripped up work table. Still like the color though

[Image: sides.jpg]
Scott
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#4
My daughter needed to make a diarama for school, so she made my first module, I told her that way she can have a module if she built it to the right size, so this is what she made:

[Image: village.jpg]
We are not done yet, and i may replace the tipi's, but it looks pretty good, going to change it to a scout summer camping area.
Scott
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#5
This is my bridge module, I still have to pour the water, add the waterfall, and attach the track and ballast, but the hard part is done. I think it is turning out pretty good.

[Image: bridge-1.jpg]
Scott
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#6
Looking Good Jesso. Thumbsup Thumbsup
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
http://cambriaindiana.weebly.com/
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#7
Thanks, LiveSteamer!

Here is the module completed! My wife is a great painter and made me a wonderful backdrop. I followed Nazgul's instructions on how to make the waterfall. I also got Kato ballast to match the ballast to the track. I think it turned out great!

[Image: 1-1.jpg]

[Image: 2-1.jpg]

[Image: 3-1.jpg]
Scott
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#8
That water fall really looks cool!! Great job Thumbsup Thumbsup
Josh Mader

Maders Trains
Offering everyday low prices for the Model Railroad World
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#9
That's pretty neat! I like the concept.
Josh
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#10
That really did turn out great Jesso Thumbsup Thumbsup
Jim

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#11
Thanks for the compliments, Trucklover, Jbaakko, and Sarge!

Here is my next module Camp Zazzamarandabo (My youngest daughter named it), Took the Tipi's off, but we may put one on in the corner.

[Image: CampZazzamarandabo.jpg]

[Image: closeupofcamp.jpg]
Scott
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#12
WOW Eek I must say that is amazing work. Nicely Done. Cheers Thumbsup
Matt
I can smell a steam post ten blocks away and when I do clear the tracks because the steam express will be hi ballin through
http://cambriaindiana.weebly.com/
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#13
Zazzamaradabo?..Whats that? Native American for "must put earth together"
Tire on the rope...Nice touch.
All the moduals look great!
Torrington, Ct.
NARA Member #87
I went to my Happy Place, but it was closed for renovations.
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#14
Thanks, the name came from a Veggie Tales silly song that my daughter likes. Also, in keeping with that story, it allows me to name the Port-O-Potty Doug, which is a long story that doesn't need to be gone into :-) .
Scott
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#15
Scott....I just saw this thread.................
AMAZING!!!!!
Your work always leaves me saying: "HOW COOL IS THAT?!" Thumbsup Thumbsup Thumbsup Thumbsup Thumbsup
Plus you get the whole family into the project Thumbsup ....I wish I could paint like your wife, her work is beautiful! I would imagine that your daughter had the best looking diorama in school too!

Keep up the awesome work!

btw...great looking waterfall Wink the coloring and the ripple effect of your poured water is very realistic....great job!
Steve
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