Twenty years of T-Trak
T-TRAK is a two-track N Scale tabletop modular system which relies upon the interlocking qualities of Kato Unitrack. The unique Unitrack joining method not only joins the tracks together but also facilitates a good electrical connection between adjacent modules.
The system has a standard single-length module baseboard, being 308mm long and 300mm from front to back, with the module height being 70mm (H).
The first track is positioned with the edge of the Kato Unitrack located 38mm from the front of the module. The two mainline tracks are 33mm apart (centre to centre). The most common modules are singles (310mm long track length) and doubles (620mm long) with 90 and 180 degree corner modules.
The base length is 2mm shorter than the track length, with a 1mm overhang at each end for easy, reliable joining.
More information about T-TRAK standards and how to build T-TRAK modules can be found here
https://sites.google.com/view/t-trak-in-australia-guidelines .
This year marks 20 years of N Scale T-TRAK in Australia; The first T-TRAK module was built in 2003 by Andrew George, after he read an article about the original design by Lee Monoco-FitzGerald.
The American modeller’s innovation is recognised in the modular system’s name - the ‘T’ comes from the name of her son, Thomas, who passed away in 1993. Andrew displayed his first module at the 2003 N Scale Convention in Melbourne. Later, the concept was shown to the MelbNTrak club and presented at the 2007 convention in Adelaide. Many convention attendees spread the concept around Australia with both modellers and clubs taking on T-TRAK.
Module by Barry Fisher
T-TRAK’s growth in Australia since the early 2000s has been largely attributed to its size and portability; there is no need for a spare room or large shed to have a layout. Standard modules are easy to build at low cost without expert carpentry skills. Kits are now also available so modules can be built
