NTRAK Module

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THE END MODULES

I have built "end" modules (as yet unscenicked) out of balsa wood to turn trains around 180 degrees and run them down the "fiddle trackage" behind the skyboard. (My module is wider than standard NTRAK to accomodate "return" trackage at the rear).

By attaching a "turning" module at each end of my NTRAK module, I can operate the three module combination as a mini home "layout". This could easily be expanded with additional modules in the future.

I have decided not to "bite off more than I can chew" with this project. My concept is to model a "scene" from a railroad rather than an entire railroad operation. A "diorama" if you like.

In real life, we can never observe an entire railroad all at once - just "parts" of it, for example, a yard, a station, a freight terminal. We know the railroad's operation is huge, possibly spanning the nation, but we observe this huge operation at just one point. The railroad's assets are constantly paraded before us in the form of locomotives and rolling stock as trains come into view, travel past our "vantage" point and roll off into the distance to points far and wide.

I wanted to model a modern-era Class 1 national railroad which would obviously have a large locomotive roster and an equally large inventory of rolling stock. I decided that, as I would probably never have the time or resources to build a "basement empire", I would model just a "representative part" of that empire. A "window" on a much bigger operation! A place where I could watch long double-stack container trains hauled by several lashed-up diesels arrive from one direction, travel past and then disappear in the other direction on their way to "points yonder". Much the same as I observe them in real life!

I'm happy, for the time being, to focus on creating my "piece" of the railroad in as much detail as I can rather than attempting to create a whole railroad (a project which, no doubt, would always remain unfinished!).


As you can see, I am using a double track main line.

My existing module is compatible with NTRAK standards in having three tracks at the end, but the "end" module is designed purely for home use - the NTRAK "branchline" running beside the mainlines is an extended switching lead for the freight terminal and ends just before the bridge. "East" and "west" bound trains travel to and from the hidden rear tracks over the double track mainline.

The NTRAK "branchline" diverges from the mainlines on my existing module also (see above). This is to give the appearance of a double track mainline rather than the standard NTRAK three together. My intention is to build another "mating" module which would return the branchline to its proper position at the other end.

I am still evaluating different ideas for scenery on the end module (note the truss bridge temporarily covering the hole in the backdrop!), but I intend to carry the industrial trackage across from the existing module.

 

Here is an overall photo of my 3-module home "layout".

My standard sized NTRAK module is in the middle. The turning modules at each end together with hidden trackage behind the skyboard create a loop on which I can run realistically long freight trains.

The skyboard wraps around at both ends to eliminate sharp corners in the sky (left hand end is out of shot).

The layout lighting in this photo was hurriedly erected in time for the Australian N-Scale Convention held in Perth in August 2001.

 

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