The article is by Eugene

The article is by Eugene Griffin. Why does the bio show Thomas M. Tuerke. Am I missing something?

By line is wrong

Amazing and exciting to see

Amazing and exciting to see what I've been "researching" on the web for a few months now show up in MRH!!. I've actively perused Thomas' web site for a while now, while researching slight alternatives to the T-TRAK standards. Especially like the vertical off-sets he describes, but didn't reference in the article. Climbing up and/or descending to a "subway" level are interesting concepts for T-TRAK.

Also, I'm a big believer in the foam-core for building these modules. In my case, I scored a bunch of 4x8 sheets of 1/2 inch material for free from old conference / exhibitions that were no longer needed after the conference. The 1/2 inch works great, super-light, and strong. I put mine together with hot glue avoiding "dry time". Check local hotels / conference centers to see if they have any available after the event ends. They usually will be MORE than happy for you to take it off their hands.

Excellent article!

-Mike M.

T-Trak layout module

I read this article about this novel way of building a layout. I was a bit disappointed when I realized it was being done in N scale. Not that I dislike N scale but I was thinking this would be great for my On30 layout modules. No where in the article is there a mention of what scale is being used. You do get a few clues.. the Unitrack sections and of course looking at the dimensions of the parts being cut out of the foam core. I think this could be expanded for the larger scales with a few modifications. I don't think you could rely on the rail joiners for support, but that aside, the technique could be upscaled for use in O scale narrow gauge. I intend to give it a try using 1" foam for the construction. I like the fact of the "box" hiding the wiring and other components. Given the proper depth, you could even have turnout motors inside the box. Nice article and definitely food for thought.

Thanks for the ideas... Best Regards,

Rick Bell

Spring Creek Models

Montrose, CO

Kato makes UniTrack in HO,

Kato makes UniTrack in HO, and Lionel has their FastTrack product in O. There are sketches of both HO and O modules at the ttrak.org web site.

HO modules

O modules

One "limitation" of the T-Trak concept is that it depends on the track connectors for holding the modules together. The Kato track has excellent connectors designed for repeated use, and the connectors are individually replaceable. I can't speak to the Lionel track - never had a close look at it.

T-Trak has been going in N scale for some time now, and the Kato UniTrack has proven itself to be very reliable, darn near bulletproof. The HO track uses the exact same connectors as the N scale track. They're not used for vertical support, just the horizontal connection. Take a look at the above links at t-trak.org, and the "unofficial" site at ttrak.wikidot.com for more info.

@ RickyB

 "I can't speak to the Lionel

I have some of the Lionel fast track for my grandkids Thomas the Tank set up and it works quite well, Has some very neat switches with built in stands and targets.  I could see building a neat 3 rail switching layout with the Fast tracks. For a long modular set up it would probably require some way to lock the sections together since they can be pulled apart with moderate effort by hand. It would also need some kind of buss wire to spread the power along the line so everything wasn't trying to feed thru every rail joint.......DaveB

Scale shouldn't matter

If you want to know scale, check the table of contents, but unfortunately in this case, it's wrong. Says HO, but the examples are N scale, so our bad.

Reality is in many cases, scale should not matter. A method is a method, regardless if the distance between the rails is 9mm (N), 16.5mm (HO), 22.43mm (S), 30mm (O), or 45mm (G).

Scale bias is a really limiting mindset modelers often fall into and it's a bad habit. For that reason, we don't promote the scale of an article in the title or subtitle unless it really matters. If we can get you to read an article and forget any scale bias, we will. We want you to focus on the value of the technique, not ignore good articles just because "they're not my scale". This was the policy of Linn Westcott (MR editor from the 1960s) and we believe it's a good one so we follow it as well.

Let By-lines be by-gones ;-]

Not entirely correct: saw it and called it out... but as Joe will attest, putting a magazine together -- "e" or dead-tree edition -- involves lots of changes, frequently late in the schedule and against a deadline... and sometimes things slip by.

At least with the "e" flavor publication, corrections can be fixed and pushed out with minimal effort (which seems to be what's happened... thanks!  Now my mom can see her son's name in print, without my having to belabor the explanation of why I used a pseudonym... ;-] )

- Thomas

Don't worry. Size (um... Scale) doesn't matter...

As a life-long, dyed-in-the-wool (and heretofore "vehement") HO-scaler, going to N scale was an unexpected detour, so I share your apprehension.

As Joe points out, though, scale doesn't really matter, at least not for the idea of modules.  Misquoting the Bard, "The idea's the thing..."  N scale may have a big head-start in terms of popularity in T-Trak, but doing something modular for On30, for example, is possible.

To that end, if I can send you to the official T-Trak site, standards for other scales are discussed.  In particular, you may find http://t-trak.org/holayout.html and the subsequent pages of interest.  The one thing you may be giving up is the Unijoiner holding things together as it does for KATO N and HO track (though for On30, some clever track laying may work out.)

- Thomas

Love this concept

Many have advocated for starting with a "chainsaw layout," and I appreciate the idea of trying new ideas, seeing what works and (literally and figuratively) getting your hands dirty. With that said, I've always struggled with the idea of tearing apart a perfectly good layout, especially when considering the amount of investment needed in even a modest, traditionally-constructed wood-framed layout. The combination of foamcore and Unitrack seems like a nice  combination to get over those hurdles.

Nice article, nice concept. 

Dear ??? ...I've always

Dear ???

...and if the Foamcore layout is built with solid basic engineering principles in mind,
and constructed with due patience and diligence, 
the resulting layout can last far longer than it's "throw-away"/"Chainsaw" starting mission-statement might suggest...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS when I hear the term "Chainsaw Layout", why do I think of Jackyl?

Progress on T-Trak-S Modules

Inspired by Thomas' article I have started construction on my S Scale T-Trak modules. I posted a progress photo on "April Workbench."

I'm teaming up with my friend Alan Chesnut who hosts an annual Farm Toy Show every March in Indianapolis.  A highlight of the Farm Toy Show is building (1:64 primarily ) dioramas depicting farm scenes.  Alan and I are kicking it up a notch to have S scale trains running on the farm dioramas.  This project is really starting to pick-up steam.  Stay tuned for updates.

Thomas, thank you for your article.

T-Trak-S Module Framing

Here is the photo that I did not upload properly.  It was a challenge on my iPad...not so with my MacBook this morning.  It's a start!

T-Trak-S Debut appearance at Indinapolis Farm Toy Show

Hello Friends!

I can not believe that I started the framing of my T-Trak-S modules back in April 2015.  But here is the "finished" product...likely the the World's Only S Scale T-Trak layout!

The concept of T-Trak applied to S worked great!

My sincere thanks to author Thomas Tuerke, MRH Editor Joe.

It is my hope to provide a full report on my adventure later this month.

T-Trak-S at 2016 National Train Show Indianpolis

Friends!

Here are a couple photos of our very successful display of the Hoosier S Gaugers T-Trak-S layout at the recent National Train Show in Indianapolis.

The layout ran really well all 3 days and the best part was making NEW friends and reconnecting with long-time friends.