Congratulations for posting a layout built in N-scale thet was at the NMRA convention. I don't recall you doing it at previous conventiions though that could be the result of my 61 year old memory banks. I realize tat it takes time to transfer everything to the MRH site but surely you could have told dus this was coming.

Irv

Note: personal opinions and observations follow.

I think one of the problems that N Scale has at shows (stay with me here), is that at shows what you see is N-Trak.

And for both an operations oriented and a railfan oriented model railroader, N-Trak has problems.

For the ops oriented modeler, N-Trak is designed to run long trains chasing each other's tails in circles on a multi-track mainline. And that's pretty much it - which is boring for someone who wants to see switching moves, a local freight, etc...

For the railfan, who wants to see trains running through pretty scenery... N-Trak layouts all too often have jarring disconnects in the scenery between modules and modules that are also all too often overstuffed with buildings or attention/attraction gettting elements. Note that the ModuTrak layout above had not only incredibly well done, but understated, scenery (did you see the static grass?), but that it formed a cohesive whole, with each module blending into the next one.

While the N-Trak people themselves seem to be having fun, and many people do like to see the long trains they run, for a number of people it's a case of "oh, there's the N-Trak layout..." and it fades into the background scenery.

There is a perception that there is nothing unique to an N-Trak layout because they are always there.

Your thoughts?

I happen to agree with you but N-Trak rules allow you use any modules you happen to have to run trains on. I've mentioned this to club members who seem to like it that way since the members are free to build anything they want. Personally I would prefer to have a theme followed so that one can operate rather than run. Now I realize that operations require planning by N-Trak doesn't seem to be geared to that yet.

Unfortunately there realy isn't an alternative if one wans to join an N-Scale madel railroad club at the moment at least in my area. But then there seems to be dearth of model railroad clubs compared to the population in my area. I live NYC which has around 9,000,000 people living here but there are few model railroad clubs here and most of those that do exist either don't publicize their existence or are very private affairs for their members.

Irv

>Irv,  I didn't pre-announce this video because I didn't preannounce any of the others and I was also wondering whether the video quality would be good enough to post.  MRH actually did post some N scale (N-trak) layout coverage in the Layouts of the 2009 National Train Show video in MRH Theater, last year.<

I understand. And thanks for reminding me of the previous video in MRH Theater.

>I've only seen a few N-scale layouts - there were exactly 'none' in my Tuesday round robin group, so perhaps this renders my opinion invalid, but this Mod-U-Trak layout simply seemed head and shoulders above anything else I'd ever seen in person in N-scale. When I was planning my current layout in 2003, I'd had thoughts of building the same layout in the same space, but in N-scale. If I'd seen this layout at the time, I might have gone ahead with N-scale. However I didn't, and now I've got too much invested in HO-scale to easily change scales.<

Don't change scales if you are happy with what you've got. Had things worked out differently Imight have been in HO still, but I needed the N-Scale due to space limitations. (You know how apartment life can put a crimp on things.)

I've always realized that anything you can do in one scale can be done in another. I grew up modeliing tabks, vehicles, aircraft and ships and one learns certain things after a while, but I won't bore you or anyone else with them at this point. So it doesn't surprise me that you were impressed with th layout this thread is about. I too find the disconnects in the N-Trak modules disturbing. I once asked about at the club and was told continuous scenery wasn't a requirement for N-Trak. I think it would add a lot to any presentation but I don't make the rules nor am I a club officer. I will have on my own layout if I ever find a workable track plan that includes operations. I've never operated on any layout so planning these is probably beyond my capabilities at this point. To bad no one makes a "how to" I could watch or read. Of course I would even be willing help someone with theur layout construction in exchange for help with mine.

Irv

Jeff, you bring up several interesting and valid points regarding NTrak modules and layouts.

I'm getting back into model railroading after many years. "The Great Basement Flood of 2008" when our sump pump quit gave me the perfect opportunity to finish half the basement and grand plans of a model RR empire filled my head. Those plans were quickly dashed when my wife decided the finished part of the basement would best be used as a home gym. :-(

I've relegated myself to the fact that a home layout just isn't in my future. However, I became interested with the idea of NTrak modules - build a piece of a layout (maybe two).

The Mod-u-trak layout is what I envisioned. Continuity of scenery from one module to the next, with interesting operation thrown in. I visited a model RR show to check out the area NTrak club layout. It was exactly as you described - disjointed scenes with limited operation. Some of the modules were almost cartoon-like.

So, my options are to not build anything and abandon the hobby altogether, or to enjoy building "my little part" the way I wish to. NTrak, to me, is the lesser of two evils.

Here's an idea that a friend of mine went with.  He had 3 (or was it 4) N-trak modules, all to N-Trak specs, but which were designed to fit together to form a cohesive scene.  At the far left and right ends of the set of modules, the scenery and structures tapered off to a pretty generic transition to whatever was next to it. 

This would be sort of like the scene-setting and scenery breaks that Charlie Comstock discussed in the 4th quarter, 2009 issue of MRH:  http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/mrh2009-Q4/up_the_creek

Thanks for posting the video.

The 3rd Place Individual Module award actually went to Keith Kohlmann for his module depicting Sturtevant, WI.  The Sturtevant/Hwy 11 sections were the only modules from Modutrak entered in the NMRA portion of the contest.   

The layout as a whole did win the Railroad Model Craftsman 2010 Craftsman Trophy at the show.

Some additional scenes shot that weekend can be seen on our NScaleModutrak channel at YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkgQs5e83SU

Thanks!

Mike Skibbe 

Modutrak

Hi, my name is Bill Denton and I'm part of the Mini ModUTrak group in the video. I'd like to point out that my New Lisbon modules started out as N-Trak modules and in fact still has an N-Trak interface on one end. ModUTrak is simply another way to eNoy N scale.

I'd also like to add that the group models prototype places from the same geographical area. Specifically the Milwaukee Road and Chicago & North Western in Northern Illinois and Central Wisconsin. This may not be to most modelers liking either but we have found it extremely rewarding. The stories we hear from people that lived or worked in the towns we have recreated are amazing!

Also our modular height is at 53 inches. It brings the layout up closer to the majority of the publics eye level where they can see the details and appreciate the slow, smooth running of recent N scale motive power. Many people still believe N scale engines don't run well or can't be used for switching. 

Have fun modeling and operating no matter what your choice of scale or gauge. Remember we all run on two rails!

Bill Denton

Thanks Bill and Mike for filling in (and correcting) some of my too-sketchy details.

Charlie