TRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. N E W S L E T T E R. November/December NTRAK Gasoline???

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1 November/December 2005 Edited by Jim FitzGerald and Lee Monaco-FitzGerald TRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. N E W S L E T T E R NTRAK Gasoline??? NTRAK Website: This well done refinery was part of the NTRAK layout at the N Collector Convention and N Scale Nationals held in San Diego, California last August. More photos and information on page 12. Page 1 Photos furnished by George Johnsen

2 Wiring and Connector Recommended Practice (RP) The group that was formed to study possible changes in the NTRAK wiring and connector standards, have settled on a plan that keeps the original wire sizes and Cinch Jones two pin connectors, that have been used since the 1970 s as the standard. At the same time, they have approved a set of guidelines, in the form of a RP to be used on new or refurbished modules that will make it easier to have reliable DCC control of trains in large NTRAK layouts. The RP is included in the center of this issue and will be distributed with each NTRAK Manual and NTRAK Module How-to Book sold, until the Manual and How-to Book are revised and the present supply is sold out. The new Anderson Powerpole connectors are now in stock at the NTRAK Order Department. See the inside back pages for the options and prices. Cinch Jones male and female connectors will continue to be stocked, however the Chassis Mount sockets are discontinued. Module Photos? Have you seen photos of your module or your clubs modules in the NTRAK Newsletter? Perhaps no one has sent some to us. Just send along, either on a CD or by , jpeg files as they come from your Digital Camera, or color prints from your 35 mm pictures. Include some information about the module, owner and any special features. Share your work with other NTRAKers. NTRAK Advisory Group We have formed an advisory group of NTRAK members who have helped over the years at conventions and other projects. In alphabetical order, they are: Bruce Alcock, OK <nytrr@hotmail.com>; John Benny, WA <jrbenny@gte.net>; Bob Gatland, NY<rgatland@nycap.rr.com>: Lee Monaco-FitzGerald,CA<LEE@T- TRAK.org>; Roger Otto, AL <mionerr@ yahoo.com>; Dave Porter, CO <davidporter_colorado@yahoo.com>; Ed Schultz, MN <ezlivin@frontiernet.net>; Doug Stuard, VA <dstuard@comcast.net>; and Jim Whitehead, MA <ejwhitehead@comcast.net>. Dave Porter is taking on our first project of coordinating a list of N conventions for the years ahead, along with a list of regional and local shows. The goal is to avoid conflicts in the schedules for major events and to encourage additional N scale events that all can participate in, or visit. We hope to increase the listing of events in the Newsletter and on our web site. Your club may be contacted for layout/ show information by one of the Advisory Group, or you can contact Dave Porter <davidporter_colorado@yahoo.com> Dave s first material appears on page 21 and with your help it can be a useful way to get the word out on your club s activities. NTRAK, Inc Officers General questions and Newsletter material. Jim FitzGerald, NTRAK President, Editor Lee Monaco-FitzGerald Corporate Secretary, Editor 1150 Wine Country Place Templeton, CA Phone & Fax ntrak@tcsn.net Next Issue Deadline: December 1st Page 2 Renewals and orders Business Manager, John Cook Brawner Dr Montclair, VA jcook@nvntrak.org Web Master, Bill Rutherford worj@comcast.net Web site: Deadline for Coming Events & other material is the 1st of the month before publication. (Feb 1st, Apr 1st June 1st, Aug 1st, Oct 1st, and Dec 1st.)

3 New from Micro-Trains The Evans Products blue and white car is a standard 50 boxcar with double plug doors. They were used for lumber and plywood shipments in the 70 s. USLX 180 is MT# and $ A white 40 single door box car with black lettering and red accent in the Conasupo logo is a N de Mexico car # MT# is $ Orange with black lettering makes this 3 bay Ortner rapid discharge car stand out. Used for hauling heavy gravel loads in private unit trains in Texas. MT# is $20.90 and GIHX Continuing the Twelve Days of Christmas Song series is the Five Golden Rings car in dark green and full color printing. MT# is $ Also new are the Maine State car, a Pennsy 20 s era Merchandiser Service car and a Canadian Pacific 40 double sheathed car. Page 3

4 New from Blair Line Corn Cribs were long a familiar farm building and used to store and dry corn ears so they could be used for winter feed. They had wood slat sides to allow air circulation. The prototype for this model still stands near Jarbalo, Kansas. The laser cut kit features slat assemblies cut from wood sheets and all the other parts needed to assemble the building, including decal signs, The finished building is 1-1/2 in diameter. The price is $ (Add $3.85 for direct shipping.) Also released by Blair Line are more of their reproductions of colorful graffiti found on actual railcars. Shown here is Mega set #2, #1245. The set is $4.00. Five other sets are also being released. Set #4 has 3 tags that are about 38 scale feet long. See them all on All Blair Line products are available from your dealer or direct from: Blair Line, PO Box 1136, Carthage, MO 64836, (417) New from Atlas Atlas N 70 Ton Hart Ballast Car Atlas is releasing a N 70 Ton Hart Ballast Car. This new model is based on the prototype built by ACF from The 70-Ton Hart Ballast Cars were formally known as Hart Selective Service Ballast Cars, due to the use of specially-designed doors which allowed the load to be discharged one of three ways: to the center of the rails, to the center and sides of the rails, or to the side of the rails only. The interior of the cars have cross bracing and side stiffeners. Six road numbers are available for each road name; GN, L&N, NP, ATSF, Soo Line and UP. $18.95, expected in March Page 4 Atlas will be making new runs with new numbers and new road names of their 23,500 gal tank cars and the 2 Bay Centerflow hoppers. Expected in Feb See your dealer or check the list on

5 Route 66 Collector Boxcars The Sun N Sand NTRAK club in Scottsdale, Arizona have an interesting concept in a set of special run cars with a Route 66 theme. The first car shown has the map of the route through all seven states. The second car has the route through the state of California. However, the other side of that car has the route through Illinois. The next car has Arizona and Missouri, the next has New Mexico and Oklahoma. Texas is on both sides of the next car. The last three are a repeat of cars 2 to 4. This way, from either side, you see the maps of each state in the proper order. There are four sets of two cars each for a total of eight boxcars with brown roofs, beige sides and four color lettering. The cars are made by Intermountain Railway. Only 200 eight car trains are being made. The complete eight car train is $240 plus $7.50 shipping. Contact: or send an to: sns2003clubcars@aol.com By phone: (480) By mail: SNS 2003 Club Cars, c/o Rod Enos, 3346 East Florian Ave, Mesa, AZ Visa/MC, MO, personal check. No cash or COD. Full Route 66 Map California Arizona New Mexico Texas Oklahoma Missouri Illinois Page 5

6 Edited by Tom Knapp The typical NTRAK layout with its three mainline tracks provides ample opportunity to operate trains in both conventional DC and in DCC mode at the same time. Our Nn3 modules, with a single mainline track, can only be operated in one mode or the other at a time. Since some of us began installing DCC in our Nn3 locomotives, we have desired the capability to quickly and safely change between DC and DCC operations. One of the members of the NorCal Division of the Nn3 Alliance Bruce Hunt - designed and built a power distribution center which allows just that. I asked Bruce to share the design of his center with all of us as it has a great deal of potential for both standard gauge and narrow gauge onetrak operations. Bruce s description of this center follows, and I must point out that he is being way too modest in his use of the editorial WE. DC/DCC Power Control Unit By Bruce Hunt The NorCal group of the Nn3 Alliance has been presenting Nn3 layouts based on onetrak at many shows in the northern California area over the past few years. While we've always been able to cobble together working trains, we've had a number of issues with managing power on the temporary layouts that we build out of modules for the show. We often want to display the trains using conventional power for a period and then switch to DCC for another period. While under conventional power, we also want to run multiple trains to keep the layout looking "alive". Finally, we were using a variety of power supplies and connection techniques that made it difficult to easily switch between conventional and DCC power. We decided to solve this problem when we agreed to construct the largest Nn3 layout we'd done for the National Narrow Gauge Convention in Santa Clara in September Our objectives were to provide: a consistent wiring scheme centralized power distribution Page 6 over-current protection over-voltage protection To achieve these objectives, we designed a central power distribution unit that allows us to switch between 3 modes of power distribution (AC, DC, DCC) in up to six blocks at a single central point. Each block is controlled by a switch and protected by a current monitor. Each block, upon overload, can automatically either turn itself off or reset itself and restart a programmable amount of time later. Since each block is independent, a fault on one block only shuts down that block. Figure I is the control diagram that is on the power control: [Figure 1.] Here is how it works. The power center is designed so that only one power mode (AC, DC, or DCC) at a time is in operation. We decided not to support a mixed environment where some blocks were running DCC and some conventional. We typically switch between low voltage AC (12 VAC) and DCC so we connected a 5 Amp, 12 VAC transformer to provide this power. We also have a 5 Amp, 12V DC power supply to supply DC power. We've used Digitrax, Atlas and Lenz DCC systems on the power distribution unit. Power is routed to the block management system via three double pole, double throw toggle switches wired so that at most one source of power can be selected. The block management system consists of 6 iden-

7 tical power managers. The power manager's function is to isolate faults to a single block, provide over-current and over-voltage protection; and to protect locomotives by quickly shutting down power in the event of a short. Each of the six power managers is controlled by two toggle switches. One switch turns the block power on and off; while the second switch selects the fault protection mode between auto and manual modes. In manual mode, if a fault (short, over-voltage) occurs, the power manager shuts down all power to the block and waits for the block power switch to be cycled. In auto mode, a fault also causes the power manager to shut down block power, and after a small (user settable) period, attempts to re-power the block. On well tested equipment, we typically run in Auto mode. However, when we are testing out new or highly prized locomotives, we use manual mode. Connections: In Photo 1, the banana plugs are used to connect power sources, DCC on the right, DC in the center and AC on the left. The connectors below the banana plugs are the power outputs for the 6 power districts. These are Photo 1 standard connectors for stereo equipment and are available at your local electronics outlet. Each of the three connectors provides output for two power blocks. The two at the bottom provide power for blocks 1 through 4 (right to left) and the middle one provides power for blocks 5 and 6 (right to left). These connectors are spring loaded and large so that it is easy to connect number 12 speaker wire for power distribution cables out to the blocks. Each cable is labeled with its block number about every foot. This labeling makes it easy to trace back the cable in the event of problems and exclude transit cables running through one block to reach a more distant one. Each cable at the block end is terminated with both a male and female standard Cinch Jones (CJ) plug so that it easy to plug the cable into a module. Photo 2 We often distribute AC to use our GaugeMaster throttles. To support this, we've developed a throttle wiring connector that converts the standard CJ plugs into RJ-11 wires to run to the throttles; and then converts the throttle output back to CJ-Plugs to connect to the lightweight onetrak modules. RJ-11 cables are convenient because they are inexpensive and widely available. Just be sure to obtain and heavy duty RJ-11 cables. The smaller wires often used in the spring extension cords are so small that they significantly drop the voltage to a block. These same throttle wiring connectors can be used to support DC throttles as well. Page 7 Internals The key to the internals are the power managers. We used three Power Shield Two (PSTwo) from Tony's Train Exchange,

8 Figure 2 These are reasonably priced heavy duty circuit boards that provide the protection we desired. They are really quite powerful providing programmable fault response times and programmable current trip points. For our purposes, we found that the default settings were just fine. We wired up the auto/manual controls to a toggle switch as well as the power control to another toggle switch in the obvious way because the instructions are extensive and easy to follow. This gave us the control and protection we wanted for each block. The wiring is very simple and a diagram for it is shown in Figure 2. We used a PACTEC plastic enclosure, the KEU-10 to be exact, and cut mounting holes for LEDs and toggle switches in the control panel aluminum sheet. (Photo 2.) We mounted the banana plugs directly to the front of the case and used the controller connection aluminum sheet to mount the power output connectors. You can obtain this enclosure at: Enclosures/KE-Series.html The PSTwo's were mounted on the internal KEU-10 board provided using plastic standoffs. We used Adobe Illustrator to create the control panel and printed it on a color ink jet printer on cardboard thick photo-paper. We sprayed the result with a fixative to protect the inks and provide a nice finish. We used Testor's Dullcote for the fixative. The control panel was glued to the front panel aluminum sheet on the KEU-10 with holes cut for the toggle switches and LEDs. Operations and Summary We've now used the power center in around 6 shows. The power center has performed perfectly. One of the best things about it is the ability to quickly switch between DCC and conventional running. While we are making great strides with DCC in Nn3, we still have a many conventionally powered locomotives so we use both power modes. The power center has made setup and wring considerably faster and easier. It has caught several faults and has performed exceedingly well. This is a straightforward project that you could easily accomplish. It provides us with excellent protection so that we can have fun running both DCC and conventional trains. Page 8

9 Last issue featured Joe DuVivier's Nn3 module of the Jughandle Trestle in northern California, and showed the module in its diorama setting as used when the NorCal group sets up the layout at a 54" height. For GATS and GWTS shows - where our primary aim is to interest new, young modelers in Nn3 and N- scale - the layout is set up at the NTRAK Nn3 standard of 42.5". Joe has adapted the backdrop and installation of his module for these shows, as shown in the photo. Burlington Zephyrs Specialty Press has published aircraft books on war planes, airliners and racing planes. They have now published a book on the Burlington Streamlined Zephyrs built from 1934 to 1935, nine trains in all, plus the Yankee Flyer built for the Boston and Maine. The spot welded stainless steel car built be Budd in Philadelphia was a great advancement in light weight car building. The corrosion resistant trains lasted into the 1960 s and were the first to use diesel electric drive. The UP M debuted 1934, a few months earlier, but originally used the distillate engine system of the early doodlebug self powered rail cars. It was later converted to diesel and then scrapped in WWII for all the aluminum in the body construction. The 1939 General Pershing Zephyr was the last built, but the engine for it was a separate unit, rather than the articulated design of the original Zephyrs. The layout of that engine was used for later non shovel nosed passenger diesels. The 112 page soft cover book ($24.95) is filled with photos, drawings and stories of the development and history of the Zephyrs. They were capable of over 100 mph speeds and set new records for long runs. They increased sales on every route they were assigned to plus being less expensive to run than the steam trains they replaced. Expected soon, a similar book on EMD F units. See your dealer or order direct from: Specialty Press, Grand Ave, North Branch, MN Phone (800) Page 9

10 NMRA/National Train Show Philadelphia 2006 The NMRA National Convention will be in Center City (downtown) Philadelphia July 2-9, The National Train Show (July7-9) will be in the new, city owned, Convention Center, site of the former Reading Terminal. I haven t gotten full official information on just what we can expect with the setup and tear down of the NTRAK layout. Again, I hope to have the full information for the next issue. This much is clear. There is a strong union involved with setting up booths and displays. The rules for layouts is some different from that for manufacturers booths. We will be able to unload private vehicles and setup our modules. Vehicles with commercial licenses will be unloaded by union members, unless some sort of exemption is made. (This is one of the points we are asking about.) Union rules are very clear about tool use in the hall! NO power tools, battery operated tools, laser levels, etc. are permitted under any circumstances. Yes, this includes your Dremel. Handtools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, paintbrushes and ordinary levels are permitted. For those with many screws to assemble your modules, you can use a ratchet set or a Yankee Screwdriver without a problem. Food is not permitted to be brought in. Food will be available to purchase from the inside concession. Unfortunately, the modular crews will not get any type of deal or discount. Food is available outside, in that general area. This is a downtown area and paid parking is available. There is public transportation in and out of the area. The NMRA Convention is called Independence Junction and if you go to you will find maps, and much information about the area and the convention. Terry Smith is coordinating the NTRAK layout. We have space reserved and will do all we can to make this work. We hope to have all of the rules clear to us, well ahead of time. Terry Smith <mongo3@comcast.net> NTRAK Layout registration: Page 10 10th Southern Plains N Scale Convention To be held again this December 1-4, at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, OK. This will be the 10th Southern Plains N Scale Convention hosted by the Oklahoma N Rails Club. This brings in modelers from the south west for a prototype tour, N clinics, contests and a large NTRAK layout, that is part of a major local weekend train show. For more information, visit: Or: convention@okrail.org Winterfest 2006, January Springfield, Massachusetts Northeast Ntrak will host Winterfest 2006, the 12th Annual Northeast Ntrak Convention held in conjunction with the Big Railroad Hobby Show of the Amherst Railway Society, Inc. at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds, The Big E, at 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA on January 28-29, Layout set up will take place on Friday between noon and 5:00 P.M. The Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA will again be the convention hotel with registration and clinics Friday night and the traditional banquet, contest awards presentation, guest speaker, etc. on Saturday night. Model, module, photo, and parade-oftrains (best train) contests will be held at the layout on Saturday. To reserve space for your module in the Ntrak layout, please call the Layout Coordinator, John Dunne at Hotel reservations should be made before January 8, 2006 by calling or and mentioning Ntrak to get the convention rate of $79.00 plus tax (single or double occupancy). For more details go to and click on Winterfest Information. Winterfest 2006 registration materials will probably not become available until just after Thanksgiving at the same web site. For other questions write to Bob Pawlak at Pawlak@alum.mit.edu.

11 Photos above by Phil Brooks Two First Place Winners In the last issue we showed the module set built by Len and Carol VanderJagt (husband and wife team) of LanTrak (Lansing, Michigan) and identified it as the 1st place winner in the NMRA Module contest at Cincinnati, which it was. However there are two divisions to the module contest, they won in the Module-Group (a module or group of modules built by several people). There is also a category Module-Individual (at least 90% of the module built by the same person). In that category, Bob Pawlak of Northeast Ntrak won 1st prize for his Bridges Canyon module. Left and right side views of his module set are shown above. This module set was featured on the cover of the May/June 2004 Newsletter and a 6 page article in that issue. It was part of the Chantilly layout. It will be featured in the layout at Winterfest 2006, January in Springfield, Massachusetts. See page 9 for Winterfest convention details. My apologies to Bob for not including photos and information on his prize winning module set in the last issue. Page 11

12 NTRAK at the San Diego N Collector Convention The San Diego N Scale Nationals were a big success on all fronts! By George Johnsen Modules from all over the west converged on this corner of the country and a great time was had by all who participated. The layout was coordinated by Arnold Arons and Wayne Lawson from the SoCalN group, and they were supplemented by Bill Royse from the XXXX group, who had been extremely helpful in the DCC management of the Chantilly layout. DCC was sponsored by Digitrax, and they were instrumental in getting this first time West Coast event off the ground with success. The layout comprised 14 clubs and many individuals and featured DCC on the red line throughout. It was designed in a modified E, with a brand new spine built by Art McCoid, Michael Barrett, Greg Goyette, Jeff Sicklesteel, and a full crew of SoCal N folks. This spine is designed to pack into a one pallet shipping container, and can be trucked LCL anywhere a spine is needed in the west. (If you have a need, contact SoCalN). Also in attendance was the innovative Shadow Box style layout of the Nn3 Alliance, which gave a everyone a great view into a different type of modular railroading. One of the themes of the convention was exposing people to new ideas. With that in mind, SoCal N secured the use of locomotives, throttles, and instructors for operations of DCC for folks that hadn t tried it before. This loaner pool of locomotives from Atlas, Intermountain, and members of SoCalN proved very popular with nearly 600 trains dispatched on the Red Line over the four days of layout operations. Running over the 200+ modules was a great time. Had there been just a little bit more time, there could have been another 50 modules included, as several sets arrived unannounced after the layout was set! Apologies to those who traveled all the way, and weren t included in the show. The reason for the tight schedule was Television. Steve Smith secured 6 different on air interviews with 3 different channels over the course of the weekend, and the city of San Diego was well informed as to the happenings in the large Expo area ( a converted parking garage with extra lights, carpet, and air conditioning!). It was great to see all of the trains on the television, and the kids were happy to get their parents to come down and see all the trains. Kids enjoyed running the trains! One of the programs that fostered the most memories was the kid track. All of the children in attendance received a free building kit from the Bachmann Corp, and the opportunity to run one of the loaner trains for a leg on the DCC layout. Lots of smiling faces were made by this simple act of kindness. Something that all Ntrakers should try, as getting more inspired model railroaders is a great thing for all of our futures. The Convention program was headed by our friends at the N Scale Collector Society, and their convention chair Dean Daughenbaugh. The program was rich with social events and meeting the manufacturers in attendance, and much information passed between participants. The clinics and contest were well attended, and the Make and Take seminars were very popular. Tours went to the club layouts at Belmont Shore, San Diego Society of N Scale, and East Valley Lines. The traditional Ntrak Breakfast was hosted by George Johnsen, with 27 manufacturers participating. All in all, a great time! Hope to see you in Denver next year! Page 12 Photos furnished by George Johnsen

13 Jim s note: At press deadline I had no identification of the module owners or builders for the San Diego module photos. Photos furnished by George Johnsen Page 13

14 On the tours from the San Diego Convention was the Belmont Shore N Club layout. Here are two scenes from that layout, which fills the second floor of a World War II barracks building. Page 14 Photos furnished by George Johnsen

15 Review of Steam in Atlas's N Scale Forum by Craig Barrow Even though Atlas's N Scale Forum on its web site, atlasrr.com, has only been in existence about a year, a wealth of material on mass produced N Scale steam and other modeling matters can be found on its site. What this article aims to do is summarize the judgments on various steam engines and the advice steam modelers give to one another in improving the performance of their engines. While I will include observations on some of the detail of various engines, I will not generally discuss improvements in those details here. The Athearn/MDC Consolidation and MDC Mogul garner high praise in the Forum for running ability. Even with the Kato USRA heavy Mikado as a standard of performance, many think the Consolidation is a match to it. Every change that MDC made improved the engine (tender shell, wires to tender trucks, coupler pocket on pilot), and now Athearn has added factory installed MT couplers. Four traction tires, a good motor, blind middle drivers, and a metal boiler make the Consolidation an excellent performer; it can handle curves as tight as 7" radius. The Mogul is less steady, largely because of the gap between the last and the first two drivers and only one traction tire wheelset. Some complain about the excessive tender height of both engines, while others complain about missing boiler details, but nearly everyone appreciates the quiet performance and pulling ability of these engines. Most people welcomed the Atlas/Micro Ace Mogul. It is a marvelous performer, though fast, and it pulls remarkably well considering its small size thanks to a strong motor and traction tires. The difficulty is mounting couplers on the engine. To put a coupler on the pilot would ruin the engine's looks, and putting one on the tender isn't easy since there is so little space. One has to do a lot of filing to put on a MT Nn3/Z scale coupler on the tender; usually I have added a small piece of strip styrene to the rear of the tender floor to provide a larger surface for the coupler. The Shay's big problem has been the coming apart of the drive shaft on the side of the engine, and it does not seem to matter much which version of the engine one has. Even people with the later undecorated units have experienced this difficulty. The mechanism is smooth, however, and has great slow speed performance thanks to a diesel-like mechanism and a metal shell. Some people, even with the second run of the engine, have complained about couplers at the wrong heights or at an angle. With the first run, the drive shaft came apart when I put the engine in its box. Atlas appears to have been responsive to people who have sent their engines back for repairs. Putting the drive train back together is difficult; most people will need magnifying glasses, fine tweezers and hemostats, steady hand, and luck to get it together. Most people have been pleased with the Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation, praise its detail, smooth operational, and pulling power. They are less impressed with the Mountain and frequently critical of the performance of the mallet. However, the engines vary even in the same run. Pilot couplers have been an issue, and the coupler of choice seems to be the Nn3/Z scale MT coupler, probably because it takes a smaller hole and disturbs fewer pilot details. The most common advice given with these engines is to run them a lot. Most of us think that 1-2 hours is enough, but what many modelers recommend is hours. Special advice for balky Consolidations has been to loosen slightly the two screws holding the plate that keeps the drivers in the frame. Remember, though, that these screws are very short. The Mountain seems to have its greatest problems with pulling power, and the fix recommended here is to take the plate off holding the drivers in the frame, take out the traction tire wheelset which is not connected to the rods, and place two small pieces of duct tape on the frame thereby giving the traction tire wheelset a better grip on the rails when it is reinstalled. Others have said that simply rotating the driver bearing blocks ninety degrees will fix the problem. The is a beautifully detailed engine, but people complain about a number of running problems. Since the locomotive does not have traction tires, it is a terrible puller for its size, more Page 15

16 Four well thought of N Scale Steam Engines Atlas/Micro Ace Mogul. Kato USRA Mikado Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation, suited to a caboose hop than a long string of hoppers, and the engine stalls easily. The electrical connection of the tender and engine is not as good as with the Consolidation and Mountain. Many have complained about engines with wheels so out of gauge that the rods hit the e track. One would never guess there has been a problem from the review in the November Model Railroader. People aware of the changes to steam mechanisms in the Bachmann standard line, the Northern, the Prairie, and the switcher, have been impressed with the improved running of these inexpensive engines and even the paint and detailing. MT couplers made for Bachmann standard coupler pockets can be easily installed in both the Prairie and the switcher; they snap into the old Bachmann coupler pocket. The Northern needs a body mount coupler, such as MT 1023, for the long 52' Santa Fe type tender; otherwise, the engine will nearly be impossible to back on a curve. Most of the complaints about Con-Cor steam have been about high prices, although performance issues appear as well. The Rivarossi steamers have been gone so long that few comments appeared in the Forum; most of the comments concerned the Hudson, the various Northerns, and the USRA heavy Several people complain about the plastic running gear coming off of the Chinese Hudsons and Northerns. Other take issue with the turning radius of the Northerns, find the engines too tight on curves. Other are appalled at Pennsylvania RR Northerns and Southern RR Northerns when none ever existed. The most favorable responses have been to Con- Cor's heavy in terms of looks and performance. The engine is a tremendous puller Page 16 Athearn MDC Consolidation thanks to great weight over the drivers, a good motor, and traction tires. Like the Atlas Shay it has factory installed MT couplers on the pilot and tender. Some have had trouble with the engine stalling, and this is usually do to insufficient weight in the tender, where the engine seems to get most of its pick-up, and grease that migrates down wire connections to the tender. Some have replaced the tender trucks with Kato and noted improved performance; however, these trucks have not been available at Kato USA in over a year. Many modelers have been buying Kato cabooses and using those trucks as replacements for the tender truck on the Con-Cor engine. While the Kato Mikado is old news, since it is about ten years old, many are still around from the last run. BLW still seems to have a good supply. The detail is not as good as it is on the Bachmann Spectrum engines, and putting on details such as the bell and handrail supports has intimidated many. Even though I have done this many times, it usually takes me about two hours, with a great opportunity for parts to squirt away to places only a vacuum cleaner can find. Working against a white background, like a sheet, helps in installing the details. The MT 2002 conversion for the pilot and the Kato replacement traction tire driver greatly improve what one can do with the engine. It and the MDC Consolidation are the only two engines that one can reliably doublehead or run one at the head of a train and the other at the rear. Even though Kato has run several road names over the years, many more could still be done, such as Milwaukee Road, Southern, L & N, although finding appropriate steam decals is sometimes an issue. Occasionally one can find what one needs on diesel or freight car decals sets. If Kato

17 reruns the Mike, it will probably be a redone DCC mechanism. Making the Mike DCC is tricky, since routes have to be created for the wiring, and with a shell in multiple parts, one could create a mess easily. Many people love the detail and smooth running of the Life-Like and the Berkshire, but they complain about the pulling power of both locomotives, especially the Berkshire. Traction tires would help both engines, and they are unavailable. Some have experienced difficulty with the pilot truck derailing. Increasing the weight on it might help, although the derailment might be helped by improving one's track work. Some run Berkshires with Kato Mikes to get better pulling power. Model Power, perhaps even more than Con- Cor, excites the most controversy in the Atlas Forum. The American was here only a few days before it has to be sent back to Korea, causing problems for modelers and dealers. The difficulty seems to be less with Model Power and more with Ajin, its Korean builder of steam engines. Apparently, the original engine that Model Power approved had stranded wire connections to the tender, and these were replaced with solid wire, which was too stiff, caused derailments, or snapped. In about a month we will probably see the 4-4-0, and it will shortly be followed by the Model Power Mogul, a later prototype than either the Atlas/Micro Ace engine or the MDC Mogul. What is appealing about the new engines is the variable detailing of pilot, headlight placement, tender trucks, and cab. Unlike the Pacific and Mikado, these engines will have free standing rather than cast on handrails. The Model Power light Mikado is probably a better engine than its USRA light Pacific; it is quieter and pulls better. Traction tire wheelsets are now available for both engines, although installing them will void the engine's one year warranty, and the installation is difficult. When people have installed them, they are able to take advantage of each engine's weight from the metal boiler, but the opportunity to ruin the engine is great. The details of the Mike and Pacific that people gripe about most are the cast on handrails and the tender ladder glob on the standard tender. The ladder can be fixed easily enough, but the cast on handrails would be difficult to improve on. Paint can help them, however, by shrinking their apparent size. DCC, however, is easy to install on both of these engines. Many in the Forum have seen old Con-Cor catalogs and wished for Challengers and Big Boys, but they are probably years away unless another manufacturer decides to make new models. The engines from the past that make the best impression are the thirty year old Arnold Rapido Pacifics and Hudsons, and the Minitrix for its smooth running and pulling power. The engines that seem to garner the most satisfaction from Forum participants are the Athearn MDC Consolidation, the Kato USRA Mikado, the Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation, and the Atlas/Micro Ace Mogul. Many photos of steam engines that modelers modified grace the N Scale Forum. It takes time to wade through, but a lot of the work that modelers have done is outstanding. Jim s Note: Here is some additional information on steam that Craig Barrow sent after writing the article above. One thing I forgot is to mention in my Review is that the Life-Like 0-6-0T is an excellent running steam engine with a good motor. Some people have used it to bash larger steam mechanisms. It is inexpensive and good. I found an Australian web site that lists all Japanese steam mechanisms made by various manufacturers. They list about 90 different steam engines done by N Scale manufacturers, many of which I did not know existed. Many mechanisms have been made with various shells that I knew nothing about, such as an T and a T. Micro Ace has done a lot more than I had realized, and recently they have been doing a number of electrics previously untouched by other manufacturers. Some of these engines, like the Kato EF15 and EF57, would be useful for folks who wanted to model New Haven, NYC, Pennsy, and Great Northern electrics. I haven t purchased anything from them yet, but just their information is valuable. Page 17

18 New N Scale Modeling by Lee Lee@T-TRAK.org T-TRAK for OTHER SCALES-FEATURING in this issue T-TRAK-HO T-TRAK has become very popular, not only in N scale but for other scales, as well. LAYOUT DRAWING and DIMENSIONS are for three Designs. For General, Club, Convention and Show use. T-TRAK-HO MODULAR Layout. Design #1 T-TRAK- HO Modules, Designs #1 & 2 by Lee Monaco-FitzGerald Based on the T-TRAK Modular System. Design #2 Corners 24" sq. x 2-3/4" H Straight 19-1/4" Wide x 24" Deep x 2-3/4" High Straight 19-1/4" Wide x 18" Deep x 2-3/4" H Corners 24" sq. x 2-3/4" H Trim corners to suit. Kato HO Unitrack, per corner module. Outside #2-220, 610 mm 24" R. 4 pcs Inside #2-210, 550 mm 21-5/" R, 4 pcs Kato HO Unitrack 4 ea #2-150, 246 mm 9-3/4" per straight module. Track centers 60 mm = 2-3/8" Designed for easier storage & transport. 2-3/4" Track extends 1/32" beyond each end for positive locking. Lee M-F May 2005 Two folding banquet tables 30" x 8' hold a 5' x 8' layout. Page 18

19 Design #3 T-TRAK-HO MODULAR LAYOUT MY personal T-TRAK HO home layout plans called for large areas, for the larger HO models that I have been building and accumulating, for some time. You can see, that I have pushed the track to the limit, still using two 8 x 30 tables, maintaining the portability and storage qualities. I have 16 h. Plexiglas panels, to install, only for (tremor) safety. Low fencing or a decorative wall could be used, also. This design may be useful for other home modelers. Design #3 T-TRAK- HO Modules, Design #3 by Lee Monaco-FitzGerald Based on the T-TRAK Modular System. Module bases are made of 1/4" Baltic Birch 5 ply plywood. Corners 29-7/8" sq. x 2-3/4" H Kato HO Unitrack, per corner module 4 ea, Outside #2-240, 730 mm 28-3/4" R 4 ea, Inside #2-230, 670 mm 26-3/8" R Straight 33-3/4" Wide x 29-7/8" Deep x 2-3/4" High Track centers 60 mm = 2-3/8" Kato HO Unitrack, per straight module 2 ea #2-180, 369 mm 14-1/2" Straight 4 ea #2-150, 246 mm 9-3/4" Straight Two folding banquet tables 30" x 8' hold a 5' x 8' layout. Use fencing or decorative wall, if desired on 4 sides. 3/8" from module front to track base Lee M-F May 2005 Track extends 1/32" beyond each end for positive locking. My bases are made of 1/4 Baltic Birch 5 ply plywood. Working-Playing with many scales, I found many useful ideas in one scale that could be adjusted and applied to another scale and applied to T-TRAK modeling. ENJOY T-TRAK!!!! Page 19

20 The T-TRAK Modelers List Wish to join or form a club? Send your name, City & State, no., to Lee@T-TRAK.org Arkansas, Searcy Joshua Swift <jdswift@sbgclobal.net> Australia, St. Arnaud, Vic. Andrew George <argeorge@iinet.net.au> Calif. L.A. Bill M <manbil777@hotmail.com> Calif. SF Nick Kibre <nkibre@tellme.com> Calif. San Jose Ken Mitchell <t-trak@mitchell.dhs.org> Calif. Ventura Ken Weber <kencar@venturalink.net> Ill. Champaign Jeff Stevenson <jr.steve@insightbb.com> Iowa. Des Moines Drew Cannon <wdcannon@worldnet.att.net> Maryland, Beltsville Jim Amerault <j.amerault@verizon.net> Mass. Holyoke Ken Harstine <k.harstine@ieee.org> Mo. Ferguson Dave Halloran <dhalloran3003@yahoo.com> Nebraska, Omaha Al Nordmeier <alnordmeier@hotmail.com> NC. Burnsville Tom Hullett <ttrakertom@yahoo.com> NY. Long Island Art P. <sigvarius@prodigy.net> Ohio, Cinc Paul Musselman <PaulMmn@ix.netcom.com> Pa. Brandywine Valley Bob Moore <market2000@earthlink.net> Texas Plano Mike Moore <northtexasttrak@yahoo.com> Tenn. Nashville Mark Perry <markpery@bellsouth.net> The Netherlands Corbett Legg <leggkhat@leggkhat.cnc.net> The Netherlands Toni Helm <jnrexpress@yahoo.com> Va. Fairfax Steve Jackson <olleylaners@patriot.net> Va. So. Hampton Rds. NTRAK John Czarny & Steve Bennett <DeBikeman@Netzero.com> MARK YOUR CALENDARS National Train Show!!!!! INDEPENDENCE JUNCTION 2006 Philadelphia, Pa. T-TRAK layout will be available--reg. Information coming. Registration for T-TRAK Lee@T-TRAK.org Greenberg s Toy, Train & Hobby Show Sat. & Sun. 10am - 4pm, both days. $7 adults, children under 12 are FREE. They support NTRAK clubs by providing extensive space and honorariums for NTRAK participation in its shows. Each show is a family event, with advertised features such as NTRAK layouts. To participate, please contact: Greenberg Shows, PO Box 1192, Lombard, IL (630) , Staff@Greenbergshows.com - No Atlanta Trade Ctr, Norcross, GA Nov 5-6 Pittsburgh Expo Mart, Monroeville, PA Nov Dulles Expo Ctr, Chantilly, VA Nov New Jersey Expo Ctr, Edison, NJ Nov Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD Dec 3-4 Ft Washington Expo Ctr, Ft Washington, PA Dec Shriners Aud, Wilmington, MA Dec Scouts in uniform, FREE. Greenberg Shows cordially invites clubs and individuals to participate with layouts, demos and club tables. We look forward to hearing from you. Page 20

21 On Jan 1st, 2006, Greenberg Shows will be merging with Great Train Expo and their 2006 schedule will be merged into a combined schedule. This will be 20 shows in the first three months of Check: for more information. Information on future NTRAK layouts, meets or conventions is being gathered by Advisory Group member Dave Porter: <davidporter_colorado@yahoo.com> 8695 N. Silo Road Parker, Co Please submit your information to Dave or to the Advisory Group member in your area. See the list on page 2. If you would like to join in with a module in a layout, please contact the layout coordinator listed for that event well ahead of time. There most likely will not be room, if you just show up the morning of a show, unannounced. November 5-6, Denver, Colorado Great Train Expo, National Western Stock Show Hall of Education, 47th Ave., and Humboldt St., NTRAK, 10-4 both days. information: Dave Porter ; <davidporter_colorado@yahoo.com>, or: November 5-6, Marshall, TX. Marshall Texas & Pacific Depot's 1st Annual Model Train Show. Model Railroad, Toy Train / Collectible Show, Train Show and Sale. 800 N. Washington, Marshall, TX, 10-5 Sat, 11-4 Sun. Contact Mary Hendricks ; <mhendr@charter.net> Nov 5-6, Dayton, OH Mid Central NMRA Region 30th annual model railroad show.large NTRAK Layout, Contact: Dick Strous, Dayton N-TRAK., 60 Temple Dr, Xenia, OH RStrous@aol.com November 12-13, Houston, TX, Great American TrainShow, Pasadena Convention Complex, 11-5 both days For more information: Ted Davis, <tedjr1@swbell.net> events.html November 12-13, West Allis, WI, Trainfest, Wisconsin State Fair Park, 84th and Greenfield, 9-5 Saturday and Sunday. <mantrak@jas-tech.com> Nov 12-13, Roseville, CA No Calif M RR Show. Fairgrounds, Washington Blvd & All Amer City Blvd, displays, layouts, dealers. Sat 10-5, Sun Adults $6, under 12 free, family $10. Contact Bob Warner, <bwarner!@softcom/net> November 18-19, San Pedro, Ca Belmont Shores Open House, Angels Gate Park, 10-4 both days Nov , 2005: Chantilly, VA. Greenberg Train Show Dulles Expo Center, Coordinator: John Steitz Show Hours: Sat. and Sun.: 10-4 (703) , <steitzj@georgetown.edu> December 1-5, Oklahoma City, OK Southern Plains Regional N meet, Oklahoma State Fair Grounds, Sat 10-6, Sun Large NTRAK layout, regional meet. For more information: Bruce Alcock nytrr@hotmail.com January , Houston, TX World s Greatest Hobby Show. George R. Brown Convention Center, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4, For more information: Ted Davis, <tedjr1@swbell.net>, January 27-29, 2006, Springfield, MA Winterfest 2006, The Hilton Garden Inn, 800 Columbus Ave., NTRAK Coordinator: John Dunne For other questions write to Bob Pawlak at: <Pawlak@alum.mit.edu> July 7-9, Philadelphia, PA, The National Train Show. NTRAK information: Terry Smith: <mongo3@comcast.net>, August 8-13, 2006, Denver, CO, National N Scale Show West and N Scale Collectors Convention, Denver Radisson Southeast, I-225 and Parker Road. Information: NTRAK information: Dave Porter , <davidporter_colorado@yahoo.com> NMRA National Conventions 2006 Philadelphia, PA July Detroit, MI, July Anaheim, CA, July Hartford, CT July Milwaukee, WI, 75th Anniv, July Sacramento, CA July 3-9 Note: We try to include any information about NTRAK or N scale layouts that will be at the events listed. If you send in a notice, please include that information. If space is tight, notices that don't mention N scale will not be published. Jim. Page 21