Above you will see a slideshow of my photos of the T-TRAK modules taken during the 2010 Adelaide Model Railway Show

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Today I hacked at my MoW module to bring it into conformance with the T-Trak standards. The first track has to be 38mm in from the front edge. What I did was measure 38mm to the first rail line. It isn't, it is 38mm to the plastic edge of the KATO track. SoI'm ripping up the tracks, platforms and picket fences and relocating them back the 3-4mm they were out by. It will be OK, the buildings and the background will stay the same, I might have to find a way to squeeze in a second dummmy line just to have somewhere to store the little diesels and wagons.

In other news I have decided on the theme for my next T-TRAK module, It will be a double module, as I need to swing the second line away from the first to accommodate the 40mm needed for the Island platform of the Rural Station kit that I purchased from Plaza-Japan when I bought the rest of my kits and track. The goal is to be a matching unit to my Maintenance module, even to connecting with the passing siding and having a small yard.

Pictures shortly.

Oh yes, for some time I have been under the impression that my Maintenamce Depot theme was a first for T-TRAK asI had not found any mention of another. Well last night I was reading messages from the T-TRAK Forum (the one from the USA) and found a link to Dave Halloran's module gallery. He has some really great modules and his gallery is worth a look-see. Especially his Maintenance Depot photo. Some ideas there for me to think about.

it was a watershed day for me to meet up with so many nice folks today, I think I talked myself out ;)

Note, until today I had never seen a T-TRAK module in real life nor had I met any other T-TRAK modellers in person. Thanks Ted, John, John, Graham, Ben and the others for making me feel so welcome and amongst friends. It made a big impact on me and I honestly appreciate the friendship.

My module ran OK but there was a rock blockage in the points from when I sanded the tracks (typical first-timers boo boo) so we ran that line in reverse so that the locos trailed through the points. I have fixed it now so it should be good to go tomorrow. Later I will add a patch board to the front of the module to bring it into line with the others. During construction I read about the 38mm inset from the front of the panel. What I didn't notice was that the 38mm isn't to the actual line itself but to the edge of the KATO plastic 'ballast'. Caught me out <sigh>
Maybe a point that can be looked at while the next manual is in Draft mode.

My module still looked good up there amongst the others. I am very happy with the outcome and plotting what my next module will look like. Probably using the big public station kit that I have from Tomix.

Bring on Day 2!

Here is the Photo y1 Gallery. Sorry but I don't have the time to do any Descriptions, bed is calling me ;)

But check out the handpainted Aboriginal motif theme on the freelanced train displayed at the Oaklands Waterside II layout. That is just so cool!

Well I made the deadline! Just before midnight tonight I finished off the last bit - the fitting of the bolts for the height adjustment. The rest of it is done too, at least, it is done as much as it is getting done until I try it out on the track sometime later today.

This shot is the back 'wall' after touching up, removing the little platform level at the front, 'grassing' it and touching up the waterfall.

This is the board before the wall was glued on, then the buildings and other things glued on. The trains and vehicles are already glued on. The 2 platforms wont be permanently fixed until I am certain that they wont be obstructing any locos or rollingstock. The KATO loading gauge says all is well, but once it is on the track I will find out for sure what the real world situation is.

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This is an overhead view of the finished module. Note the extra bits that you might find around a Maintenance of Way Depot. The stacks of rails and sleepers. The tracks and points stored in case they might be needed again.

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A different view of the module. Note that the back scene has been made a tourist site, and there are fences and warning signs pointing out the dangers inherent in tackling such a climb to lookout over the waterfall and surrounding district. Needs some trees but I am  not confident of making them at this stage.

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