Jul/Aug 2004 - NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc.

July/August 2004
Edited by Jim FitzGerald and Lee Monaco-FitzGerald
TRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc.
N E W S L E T T E R
NTRAK Website: www.ntrak.org
The Great River Valley System is a NTRAK club in the Minneapolis - St Paul area. Here
are a couple of views of their modules. A full story on this club starts on page 10 of this issue.
The city scene above is by Ed Schultz and features an elevated section of main lines.
Damian Koston built the ore dock scene and furnished the text and photos for our story.
Page 1

Next Issue Will be Late
The next Newsletter issue will be late. I
want to cover the big N convention in Chantilly,
Virginia and the NTRAK layout that will be
our biggest yet. Eighty scale miles around the
Red Line Route, if all goes as planned. With a
lot to cover, there will be more pages to put
together.
The convention ends on August 8th and
August 10th is when I would normally get the
finished Newsletter masters to the print shop.
We are driving to the east, so there will be
some delays.
NTRAK Club Articles
We have articles from two clubs in this
issue. One is from the NTRAK club in the
Niagara Falls area, one of our early clubs. The
other is a newer club in the Minneapolis - St
Paul area. Both are doing great modeling, as
you will see from the stories they sent in.
How about sending in some photos and
words about your club’s work or your own
modules?
Also in this issue we have more on the “over
module” light boxes mentioned in the last
issue. Mark Bean and George Johnstone sent
in photos and a story about their club in
Melbourne, Australia. Mark had been a member
of the FunTRAK club in upstate New
York. He emigrated to Australia, but can still
work with NTRAK modules “down under”.
Another advantage to NTRAK modular
modeling.
Changing big layouts over the years
The first NTRAK layouts were all ovals. As
they got bigger, the inside corner came into
use. This allowed “L” shape and “U” shape
layouts. These made better use of space. Our
big layout at Syracuse in 1990 was a “H”
shape. Two long ovals side by
side and a cross connection
between the two ovals, but really
one oval in the shape of an
“H”. All trains had to go all the
way around the layout. A problem
anywhere on the layout
and that track had to shut down.
80’ x 148’
In 1993 at Valley Forge, an even bigger
layout was assembled around a hub designed
by Dave Savage and Paul Miller. From the
hub, trains could go out and back to two end
loops or either of two large ovals. The drawing
is greatly simplified, but from the hub trains
could go out on one track and return into the
hub on another track. It took two very busy
operators to make all this happen.
This inspired the design of Junction modules,
which accomplish much the same thing,
but without the need for constant attention.
See the results at Capitol Ltd in August.
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 93465
Phone & Fax 805-434-5058
e-mail ntrak@tcsn.net
Next Issue Deadline:August 1st
Page 2
Renewals and orders
Business Manager, John Cook
15913 Brawner Dr
Dumfries, VA 22026-1416
e-mail jcook@nvntrak.org
Web Master, Bill Rutherford
e-mail worj@comcast.net
Web site: www.ntrak.org
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.)

New From
MicroTrains®
Cross bracing is featured
on the new model of car
racks on TTX flat cars.
The fold down end ramps
were used in loading &
unloading. The cars are
available in two different
road numbers for Pennsy.
MT#112030 is $31.50.
A colorful CN car has
this apple promotion on
one side and standard lettering
on the other. The
50’ plug door car side is
white with red and two
shades of green logo. CN#
283032, MT# 24.30 is
$24.30.
The C&O cattle car is
box car red and fits in with
steam era modeling. The
car has white lettering and
road number 95336. It is
$12.60 and MT# 35180.
Another CN car. This is
a 40” double sheathed
wood reefer, black with
green sides and yellow lettering.
CN 10329 is $16.30
and MT#49570.
Page 3

The Phoenix, Arizona Sun N Sand club has
come up with a clever set of special run cars
that celebrate Route 66, the highway that went
from Chicago to Los Angeles. The cars shown
here are actually two sides of the same type
car. The car on the right has a map of Route 66
across Illinois, from Chicago almost to St
Louis. The car on the left shows the other side
of #1 car, the California part of the road from
Needles to Santa Monica. This is the first car
to be issued. Later, cars for other states will be
issued, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma
and Missouri. When made up into a
seven car train, the combined map will be
correct on each side of the train. There will
also be a single car with the entire length of the
route.
There will be only 195 complete sets of
these cars made. Two of the #1 cars are $60.00
plus $5.00 S&H. This car is shipping now and
others for the set will be produced in the
future. Orders for #2, #3 and #4 may be placed
now, also at $60 + $5 S&H.
Check www.sun-n-sand.org or e-mail
sns2003clubcars@aol.com or phone at
(480)471-6222 or Rod Enos, 3346 East Florian
Ave, Mesa, AZ 85204-5640.
Kato BethGon Details
A couple more photos of the
new Kato BethGon Coal Loader.
When you look at the bottom it
looks as though there are electrical
contact strips, but these are leaf
springs that round top posts on the trucks (seen
above) ride against and give an equalizing
wheel contact with the rails for better tracking
with the low profile wheels.
The trucks are mounted in the prototypical
position, extending beyond the car ends
slightly, as seen in the larger photo.
Lackawanna Coal Company Kit
The N Architect has released this large plant
used for breaking coal into saleable size lumps.
The kit retails for $149.95.
Also intrduced is their M-TRAK Mine Track
System. This is a non working set of castings
for a 2-1/2’ gauge mine loco, cars and track.
Check the web site: www.the-n-arch.com.
Page 4

Jim Hinds of Richmond Controls is one of
what I call "N-trepreneurs", N-Scale modelers
who decided to turn their hobby into a
business, usually alongside their day jobs.
These men are a special breed - they combine
a desire for financial success with giving something
back to their hobby. "Giving back"
often is the more important motivation for
producing useful items for our market which
may not be available elsewhere. While Jim's
business covers all scales, he received his
main impetus from the need for realistic lighting
in N-Scale. He can be reached at
jjhinds@wt.net. Here now is Jim's story:
"Let There Be Lights!"
By Jim Hinds
My Mother gave me a Marx O-27 train set
for Christmas when I was 5 years old and
growing up in Houston. It was instant addiction.
That was replaced by the Lionel
Warbonnet F3 set during Elementary School,
and an Athearn HO set in High School. The
trains got put away while I was in college.
While in Graduate School, my neighbor
showed me an N Scale layout he built on a
hollow core door. That's when I converted to
N Scale, starting with a Con-Cor Warbonnet
PA1 in 1967.
While still in school, my wife Suzie found a
small black poodle who LOVED to watch
model trains run. You can see a photo of him
at train shows I attend. He inspired me to learn
to use microprocessors. I computerized my
layout so it could run unattended for hours for
him while I did other things.
Since I spent 9 years in college becoming an
Electrical Engineer specializing in optical
properties of semiconductors, I naturally had
to have realistic lights in my N Scale locomotives
and cars. Kato's revolutionary metal
chassis design made this very difficult. In
1994, nobody was making or considering lighting
kits for anything smaller than HO Scale.
Manufacturers of HO modules told me to just
cut out enough metal to fit their boards into my
N Scale locomotives, but I wouldn't consider
chopping up any of my prized locomotives for
electronics modules. I decided to design my
own light modules using surface mount components.
Surface mount components allow
the design of circuit boards small enough to fit
available space without chopping metal. That's
the origin of the Richmond Controls "No
Chopping" slogan, and I still consider that to
be a very important goal.
When others saw that realistic lighting was
practical in N Scale and wanted it for themselves,
Richmond Controls was born. At the
same time, I was designing control systems
for industrial control applications, so the "Controls"
part of the name covered everything I
was doing from my base in Richmond, Texas
(a suburb of Houston). Since I had earned an
MBA and had been a VP of Engineering and
a CEO, I had the business background and
experience necessary to start and run a business.
I heard a Tom Peters seminar where he
discussed having a one-person business and
farming out all of the work. That sounded like
a good plan, and that's the way it is today.
Richmond Controls' materials are obtained
from circuit board manufacturers, semiconductor
manufacturers, and electronic distributors.
Board stuffing is done by contract manufacturers,
but I still do the final configuration,
testing, and installation work. I write all the
software, do the accounting, do the marketing,
and empty the trash cans. I have a large layout
where assembly work is tested.
Initially, I advertised in the big model railroad
magazines and tried to get hobby shops to
carry Richmond Controls products. That did
very little good. People generally wouldn't
buy the modules until they could see them in
operation. About that time the Internet was
picking up speed, so I set up a web site and
started going to at least one train show a month
to let people see the lights. That has been my
most successful (and enjoyable) approach to
marketing.
Since I am a semiconductor engineer and a
model railroader, I was in the ideal position to
pursue white LEDs without the blue tint. After
sending samples back and forth to Taiwan and
making minor color adjustments, we finally
settled on the color of the Golden White LED.
I surveyed the participants of a Southern Pacific
Historical Society Convention to verify
that they liked the color, and it was virtually
unanimous approval. Customers and manufacturers
liked them better than the bluishwhite
LEDs, and we went to great pains to
Continued on next page
Page 5

keep the costs low and availability high. Now
several improved "white" LEDs with no blue
tint are available and in use in model railroading.
I have been fortunate to get to know many of
my customers personally. This is a great
pleasure and tremendous advantage, because
they feed me ideas about what new products
are needed. I never miss the N Scale Collector
Conventions, the Oklahoma City Train Show,
or anything sponsored by any of the east coast
NTRAK groups (NVNTRAK, RANTRAK,
etc.). I never miss the Denver Meet, the Plano
(TX) and Ft. Worth shows, or the Santa Fe or
Southern Pacific Conventions. I belong to the
AustNtrak (Austin) group.
Since Richmond Controls products are extremely
flexible in their applications, I can
take on many projects that might not otherwise
be justifiable. This has included machine
gun bursts for powered model airplanes
and may lead to fancy lights on models of the
Starship Enterprise, in addition to railroad
lighting.
Seattle NTRAK Layout Info
Seattle National Train Show, July 8 – 11
Mt. Rainier N Scale Club, 4th Div N Trak
Modular Group and Peninsula N Trak Club
invite you to participate in the general N Trak
layout to be held at the Seattle National Train
Show, July 8th through 11th, 2004. The
National Train Show will be held in conjunction
with the NMRA Convention, PSX2004,
hosted by the 4th Division, Pacific Northwest
Region, NMRA.
A large, 60 foot by 70 foot layout is planned
with two division sized yards for both DC and
DCC train operation. There will be a Mountain
Division on the layout and an additional
oNeTRAK route. A separate T-Trak display
is also included within the larger layout. Modules
conforming to the N Trak standards are
welcome.
Set up will be Wednesday and Thursday,
July 7th and 8th. Train Operations will be
Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the day.
Tear down will begin at 5 pm on Sunday, July
11th.
For more information on the NTRAK Layout,
see the Seattle NTRAK Layout website:
www.nmra2004.org/ntrak
Or email us at: ntrak@nmra2004.org
THE CAPITOL LIMITED
N CONVENTION
CHANTILLY, VA, AUGUST 5-8, '04
The Capitol Limited, 2004 N Scale East N
Convention layout will be part of a Greenberg
Train Show, sharing a 100,000 sq. foot room
in the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia
August 5-8, 2004. Across the parking
Page 6
lot, about 300’ away, is the convention hotel,
the Holiday Inn Select Chantilly. There will
be an additional small NTRAK layout setup in
the Hotel lobby and all clinics will be given at
the hotel. The Sunday breakfast will be in the
area of the hotel. There are many restaurants
close by.
Set up is Thursday and the big layout will be
running on Friday and open Friday and Saturday
evenings until 10 pm. It will be part of the
Greenberg Show on Saturday and Sunday.
The N Scale Collectors Convention will be
going on at the same general time, (August 4
to 7), about a mile away. There will be shuttle
service to their hotel and other alternate hotels.
All Collector events will be available to N
Convention attendees. Some events are extra
fare for both groups.
There will be home layout tours that include
the John Armstrong, Pliny Holt and Lance
Mindheim layouts. There will also be tours to
local rail served industries, the local commuter
rail yard and the new Air and Space
Museum.
CAPITOL Ltd SUPER LAYOUT
430 Modules, 70 Miles Long
Red Line Route!
By Matt Schaefer
We are rapidly rolling toward the
CHANTILLY SUPER LAYOUT and Conventions.
Layout setup starts August 4. Most
club loops are located in the layout plans now
and the 430 modules are being accounted for
and will all be in one continuous layout. The
DCC and analog sections will be connected by
the NJS division point yards. Our famous
helper service will be available to assist anyone
with R/C throttles, routes or whatever.

The Aristo controlled Red Line Route (RLR)
will have throttles provided. Remember that
to grace the DCC rails please bring your
Digitrax R/C throttle and decoder locos. The
00 code will not be running non decoder locos
on DCC rails. Also remember to clean all you
wheels before running your trains. A wheel
cleaning facility will be provided at the
Trainmaster’s desk where you mark up for
your runs. Route maps will be provided showing
all diverting runs. The layout is in 8
divisions which are divided into 12 subdivisions
(loops) all connected into a 70 mile
RLR.
Our Asst. Trainmasters will be roaming the
railroad seeing that bottlenecks, dirty rails and
other problems are quickly cleared up so that
the revenue trains are not delayed. We realize
you have paid to expedite your passengers and
freight and we are doing all we can to keep the
trains rolling. The Midnight Div. next to the
hotel bar will be running Wednesday afternoon
till late every night. The convention
hotels are located right across the parking lot
from the Dulles Expo Center. To speed unloading
of modules we are planning to have 25
parking spaces right at the layout. The Northern
Virginia Ntrak crew looks forward to
seeing all our old friends and making many
new friends. A happening not to be missed.
Here are some high lights from the inspection
guide. These are useful for any NTRAK
layout setup, or your home layout.
CONTINUITY - A fast check of power to
all rails is to run one 4-axle engine, without a
flywheel, around all tracks and check for dead
sections in switches and connector tracks and
dirty track. Run this engine slowly over
switches and suspect areas.
INSPECTION TRAIN - Run a short inspection
train at the start of each show with the
following included in the consist. Use 2 or
more long, 6-axle engines coupled together
with body-mounted couplers and several long
(86-ft) cars coupled together. Do these track
easily without derails around all 18-in (blue)
and 24-in curves and reverse curves and crossovers?
Pay particular attention to "S" curves
that should have at least an 8-in straight between
the curves for a smooth transition.
CAR CLEARANCE - Include a "clearance
car" with profile form extending 1.75-in. above
the top of the rails to test clearance to NTRAK
standards as well as to clear all possible double
stack loads. Add side profiles or run a Y6b, 2-
8-8-2 to verify clearance for the fat lowpressure
cylinders.
FLANGE CLEARANCE -Use some cars
with MT "pizza cutter" wheels and some with
low profile wheels and watch for cars bouncing
that may indicate track out of gauge or
ballast on the track or in flange-ways or attempts
to pick switches or derail.
VOLTAGE DROPS - Do trains slow in one
area indicating low voltage? Check track
voltage with a digital meter or DCC
RRampmeter and look for modules with voltage
drops in some modules higher than the
others. Look for loose connections first by
wiggling C-J plugs. Try cleaning the plug
contacts first and if no improvement wiggle
wires and look for poor connections in plugs
and terminal blocks.
TEST UNDER LOAD - To troubleshoot
low voltage problems apply 12 volts DCC to
a string of modules or a block and connect a 10
ohm 10 watt resistor (Radio Shack) across the
track on the last module at the far end of the
DCC block. If using 5 VDC use 5 ohms which
is 2 ea. 10 ohm resistors in parallel, not series.
The resistors can be wired across the pins of a
C-J plug and easily plugged into the last
module. The drop per 4-ft. module with the
resistors in either case averages about 0.1 volt.
Using a digital voltmeter or a DCC
RRampmeter go down the line of modules
looking for a set of plugs or a module where
the voltage drop is unusually high. For any
voltage drops over 0.15 volt per module check
wiring as above. An 1156 bulb can be used as
a load with 12 V DCC to draw about 2.5
Amps. These are good to use when PM trips
are set at 3-Amps.
THE GREAT 1157 BULB - If you do not
have expensive fast trip circuit breakers one
inexpensive protection for any power pack or
train control is a single 1157 automobile bulb
wired in series in one of the wires going to the
track. When there is a short anywhere downstream
the bulb limits the current and limits
the heat at the short. The bulb may light up
depending on the volt supply and the resistance
of the circuit shorted.
Page 7

New N Scale Modeling
by Lee
www.T-TRAK.org
e-mail: Lee@T-TRAK.org
LATEST SCOUT AWARDS
Bear Den 1 of Pack 147 in Georgetown, Texas
Joshua Hopkins
Colby Smith
The happy, smiling faces belong to the
new T-TRAK modelers with their modules.
Tom Hopkins, their den leader, of Austin,
Texas, saw my T-TRAK layout at the Houston,
Tx. Conventon last June and inquired
about it.
Tom quoted the following: “When he saw
my T-TRAK layout in Houston, he got very
excited about it. Then his scouts designed
and built modules over several different den
William Cosper
“Great work Tom and Scouts of Bear Den 1.”
Ben Schmalstieg
meetings. They presented them to the pack and
ran trains.
Although they are finished, the boys enjoy
working on them so much that they continue to
spend time adding little details at each meeting.
Thanks for your help and for inspiring a year of
fun, (with more to come).”
In appreciation, the T-TRAK Awards Certificates
and T-TRAK Patches were sent to Tom
for presentation to the Scouts.
Clubs and modelers-wouldn’t you like to make a difference in a childs life?
Here is an easy way to do so.
The T-TRAK Youth Program
Following The T-TRAK Basic or Alternate
Standards---the general requirements for a
“T-TRAK Patch and Certificate” are:
1. Learn and have “Hands On” experience
with the correct basics of building easy,
inexpensive wood modules and laying track.
Scenery and basic buildings or kits are the
finishing touches.
Page 8
2. Have experienced train modelers, preferably
with a club teach, guide, assist according to the
ages of the youth and share train and modeling
experience.
3. Take photos of the work in progress and then
of the finished modules.
4. The youth modelers’ name, age and module.
5. The names of the train modelers’ teachers and
clubs who are involved in the teaching and
guiding.

CHANTILLY, Va CONVENTION August 2004
Look forward to a great convention!
Time is getting shorter. Have you signed up, as yet? Tables and space
must be reserved. We will have special guests and great modules.
Including a new T-TRAK Junction module layout.
Check: www.T-TRAK.org website for the Module Registration form.
Dale Blust‘s T-TRAK
Tornado module.
Dale writes: this idea or
challenge came from Lee
last October in Iowa, at the
Des Moines NTRAK show.
It will debut in Chantilly.
The T-TRAK version has
the same mechanical operation
as the NTRAK tornado,
but on a smaller scale.
See the lightning, sound and
action!!!!
Photo by Dale Blust
Try the NEW T-TRAK Straight Module Kit
Getting started or adding to your layout? This
is the quick, easy, inexpensive way!
The cost of one precision cut Baltic Birch T-
TRAK Straight module-12-1/8”x8-1/4”x2-3/4”
is $9.75 plus S&H. Additional modules-same
order $9.25 plus S&H.
T-TRAK Patches and Pins $3.50 ea. pp included.
See order form in back of this issue.
8-1/4"
2-3/4"
12-1/8"
Standard T-TRAK Module Dimensions
The 4 corner glue
blocks have “T”
nuts installed.
The T-TRAK Modelers List
Looking for friendly modelers in your
area? Wish to join or form a club?
Send your name, E-mail no., phone no.
or address, to Lee@T-TRAK or regular
California mail-listed on page 2.
Bill, Southern California
Drew Cannon, Des Moines, Iowa
Tom Hullett, Burnsville, NC
Corbett Legg , The Netherlands
Ken Mitchell, San Jose, Ca.
Bob Moore, Brandywine Valley, Pa.
Mike Moore, Plano, Texas
Paul Musselman, Greater Cincinnati
Mark Perry, Nashville, Tenn.
Page 9

The yard was built by Steve Nitti and features
three tracks each for the Red, Yellow and
Blue lines. It has grown from the in and out
throat modules, to two additional 4’ center
modules and then two corner sections. A lot of
Page 10
industries are located along the either side of
the Blue tracks. This is convenient for switching
and makes an interesting back ground for
the modules. The three track arrangement
makes adding new trains or putting away old
trains easy and something for the public to
watch.

“Baldylox Beer” has a great slogan. “Helping Ugly People Look More Attractive
Since 1948”. This is part of Ed Schultz’s city scene on the cover.
Another member of the club, who is clean shaven and uses “Baldylox” as his
internet handle, inspired Ed to come up with the brewery name and slogan.
Great River Valley System
Text and photos by Damian Kostron
A spectator mumbled to no one in particular,
“the layout is almost too big”. He said this
with a slight tone of frustration and utter
amazement as he tried to grasp the size of our
layout. It didn’t occur to me until after the
show started on Saturday that he might be
correct.
Our club started in 1992 in the basement of
a small shop in St. Paul, Minnesota. We call
ourselves the Great River Valley System –
thinking this would encompass the Mississippi
River valley from north to south, giving
our members the freedom to model what they
wanted.
Page 11

In the first couple years, our
club had about 10 members. Today
we have about 24 members
with most being fairly active with
club activities. We adhere to the
basic NTRAK standard and participate
in 4 to 6 public showings
a year. Most members have at
least one module – several have 4
or more.
The Happy Grandparents held
the 3rd annual model railroad show
in Menomonie, Wisconsin – it was
the first weekend in April 2004.
The show consisted of a couple
dozen layouts of all scales and was
held in a field building of the local
high school. The building has
plenty of room and crowds were
not a problem. Our club has participated
in this show since it
started and each year, our layout
keeps getting bigger.
Our layout size at the first show
was 12 modules, plus 4 corners.
This is a fairly typical size for our
club. The second year our layout
grew to 22 modules and eight corners.
- two 10-module loops connected
with junction corner modules.
It was the largest layout we
had ever done. It was also the first
layout were we tried DCC. Given
our past layout sizes, I did not
think we could top this one. But,
this year the club pulled out all
stops and we did our largest layout
ever.
This year, our layout was 36
modules and 13 corners. The layout
used practically every module
our club had available. The layout
was two “L” shapes connected
together with junction corner modules.
The goal of the layout plan
was to get as many modules into
as small a space as practical, while
still making it functional and visually
appealing to the pubic. It
worked very well.
In preparing for this years show in
Menomonie, I was initially concerned that
we would not fill the space we were given the
previous year. But, my doubts quickly vanished
early on when the module count grew
above 25. I then became concerned the show
Page 12
This layout photo was made by
Damian Kostron by using a step
ladder and taking individual digital
photos of each module. These were
then made a consistent size and then
assembled over a drawing of the
layout plan, all in the computer.
An interesting process!
would not have enough room for us. After a
brief inquiry to the Happy Grandparents, we
were told to, “bring it on”. So, we did.
We were expecting setup to take 3 to 4 hours
– which is fairly typically for us. However, this
show took over 6 hours to setup. There were
more modules, but there were also more people
to help setup. So, setup should not have taken
This view of the layout is from the left hand end of the photo drawing below.
The “Kid’s Loop” is on the right in the photo above.
The layout was 31’ x 51’ and
had about 50 modules.
much longer. An obvious area
we spent the extra time was on
unforeseen electrical problems.
A ‘typical’ layout, for our
club, has the three loops of track
– each on it’s own throttle.
Track time can become a premium,
with each member wanting
to run a train (one train per
track). This show, we had 5
loops of track. One loop was
blocked (4 throttles) and the
Red-line loop around the entire
perimeter was DCC. This gave
us a lot of track and plenty of
track-time for our members to
run trains. Maybe too much
track time.
A typical loop around the perimeter,
on the DCC Red-line
would go something like this:
Stage the train in the yard. Wait
for an opening and then proceed
out on the main line. Wait
at the first major siding for any
oncoming traffic. When clear,
The “Kid’s Loop”was the responsibility
of the young members. They
kept the yellow, blue and Mtn Div
tracks running all during the show.
Page 13

The circus modules were built by Nate Pierce and feature
trailers that open into the tents. The lower module has sidings
for the flat cars and old passenger cars used to transport the
circus. Most of the circus vehicles are scratch built.
proceed to the next siding. This was supposed
to be the cycle as each member walked his
train all the way around the layout. This
sounded good in theory. But, the distractions
are numerous at these shows and forgetful
Engineers were abundant – forgetting to watch
for oncoming traffic. A couple close calls
required the intervention of the 0-5-0, and a
yell across the layout to remind the distracted
Engineer (we are still learning the ropes, DCC
and all).
Some members mentioned only running
Page 14
around the layout once and then taking a
break. A train going once around the layout at
prototypical speed took about 8 minutes, nonstop.
If there was a lot of action on the DCC
line, 15 minutes or more was not uncommon.
It was starting to look like layout size was
becoming a deterrent to running trains, at least
for the DCC guys in our club.
Our club has several younger members with
a lot of energy. For some members it was too
much energy. So, we tried something new.
We dedicated the smaller “L” loop of the
layout to the kids, and called it the “Kids
Loop”. They would run, and be responsible
for, the Yellow and Blue lines on that part of

World War II military planes are on exhibit in front of bas relief
hangers. This is another module by Damian Kostron. The view of the
open hanger is actually a composite photo of the inside of a hanger, a
GeeBee racer picture and a man viewing the plane. It gives the
illusion of much more modeling space. More detailing is planned.
the layout. It worked very well. The ‘kids’
had just as much activity on their side as the
rest of us did on our side. Looks like we could
take a couple cues from the kids.
Our small club is still growing and this show
was a milestone. It was our largest layout to
date and we had the most member participation.
It was fun to get the group together and
see what we could do. Who knows what next
year will bring?
Damian Kostron
Great River Valley System
www.grvs.com
dtk@grvs.com
Page 15

Niagara Orleans Model Railroad
Engineers (NOMRE)
Photos and text by Rich Dulski
Background:
When NOMRE was founded over 20 years
ago by a small group of model railroad fans,
the founding members wanted to promote all
aspects of the hobby of model railroading. In
order to allow members to participate, it was
decided that modular layouts were most appropriate,
as it would allow configuration
changes for different show locations. To accomplish
this goal, N scale members generally
adopted NTRAK standards, while HO
scale members, having no “recognized national
standard” in their own scale, developed
their own standards. Both scales have continually
practiced and refined these standards
over time. As a result, new members may
construct modules with their own theme, and
connect with existing modules. In the case of
N scale, this also includes participation at any
national or international events invoking the
NTRAK standards of design and construction.
Layouts:
Currently, there are two (2) fully modular
layouts that are displayed at club shows across
Western New York and Southern Ontario
both supporting manual and DCC remote operation,
as well as and one generally “inhouse”
layout.
1) The N scale modular layout may feature
as many as 50 (approximately) individual
modules, all built according to NTRAK guidelines.
These include both “inside” and “outside”
corners, allowing an “L” shaped layout
configuration, a yard comprised of up to eight
(8) modules, and various modular themes
compatible with the landscape in the Northeastern
United States.
2) The HO scale modular layout features a
working rotary coal dumper based on actual
plans from the Somerset Power Plant located
in Somerset, NY.
3) An O scale layout is being constructed for
generally in-house display, although it has
The club Mountain Div section has return
loops at each end. The above features a logging
operation. Note the bridge connecting to
Page 16
the next module and the scenery going down
to mainline track level. This way, if modules
are used alone, there is no unsightly scenery
end in view.

een transported to the annual Railroad Showcase
train show cosponsored by NOMRE.
Membership (Current):
• Total (approx.): 55 members
• N scale: 19
• HO scale: 33
• O scale: 3
• Annual Dues: $120.00
Meetings:
1) Regular meetings are currently held every
third Thursday of the month at the “clubhouse”
located inside the Summit Park Mall,
(situated in Wheatfield, NY. near Niagara
Falls), starting at 7:30 PM. The first portion of
each meeting consists of a program, usually a
demonstration of modeling techniques, a railroad-related
informational presentation, or
possibly a related video.
2) Work sessions for club members and
prospective members are held each Wednesday
from approximately 6:30 p.m. to 10:00
p.m.
3) Open Houses are generally held at the
Clubhouse on the third Saturday and the fourth
Sunday (1 – 5 PM), of each month, subject to
traveling and appearances at area shows.
Website:http://nomre.railfan.net
Railroad Showcase:
“Railroad Showcase 2004”, cosponsored
by the Niagara Orleans Model Railroad Engineers
(NOMRE) and the Niagara Frontier
Chapter of the National Railroad Historical
Society, successfully held its 18th annual show
on May 1st and 2nd, 2004, at the Kenan Arena
in Lockport, NY. The show included five (5)
operating layouts, railroad crafts, live steamers,
railroad industry displays, historical displays,
railroad related books and videos, model
manufacturers’ displays, and model and toy
train sales.
A combination of individual modules in N
and HO scales, which are owned by either
individual members or the club itself, comprised
the NOMRE operating layouts, as well
as an O scale layout. In particular, the N scale
layout, configured into an “L” shape for this
particular show and comprising 24 individual
modules, measured 36’ x 24’, or 120 (total)
feet of mainline, with an additional operating
“mountain line”.
Projects:
1) Disaster Land: This is a disaster preparedness
layout constructed by NOMRE for
Niagara County, NY. It is currently used by
emergency response teams to coordinate their
efforts in the event of an emergency, and
includes a mine complex, various shipping
facilities, a small craft airport, and highway
interchange to name a few. All buildings were
purchased commercially and assembled by
our membership. The benchwork for this layout
consists of six 4’x8’ tables pieced together
to form an "H”.
2) Boy Scout Layout: This operational layout
was constructed by our membership to
encourage model railroading in scouting. The
layout is utilized by the Boy Scouts to encourage
completion of the model railroading merit
badge. All buildings and scenery material
were purchased commercially and assembled
by our membership. The benchwork consists
of four modules assembled into a 4’ x 8’
layout. For storage the legs fold away and the
top is secured.
3) Taylor Winery: This layout accurately
represents the Taylor Winery and the sur-
The above module has the other Mountain Div. return loop and a lumber mill “destination”.
Page 17

These two club corners have well done
scenery that takes advantage of the shape of
our corner modules. The small town in the
upper module fits into the space very well.
rounding land. Included on this operational
layout are vineyards, farmland and the town
itself. The buildings used on the layout were
either purchased commercially or scratch built
by our membership. The benchwork was assembled
and then transported by truck to the
winery located in Bath, NY. One unique feature
of this layout is that at the touch of a
button the trains start moving. After making a
certain number of trips around the layout the
train stops until the button is pressed again.
Membership:
• Currently, approximately 55 members,
total.
• N scale: 19
• HO scale: 33
• O scale: 3
Educational Endeavors:
Part of the joy of any hobby is the ability to
Page 18
share your ideas/experiences with others. To
these ends, NOMRE has:
1. Offered in-house classes at our clubhouse
open to both members and the general public
(for a nominal donation), on topics of interest
to the model railroading hobby in general,
including module and scenery construction,
ballasting and track laying, weathering, soldering,
airbrushing techniques, DCC installation
and operation, etc. Each class typically
ranges in length from 2-3 hours, and includes
hands-on participation by the attendees themselves,
& discussion with NOMRE members
who are “instructors”.
2. Developed a slide show that covers first
generation diesels up to current day locomotives.
3. Fabricated a portable display illustrating
the size difference between the various scales.
4. Taken part in various projects to help the
Boy Scouts with completing their railroad
merit badge.

Rich Dulski’s Kato model
of a Tokai Express, Japanese
passenger train has added
lighting and detailing to the
cars and engines. It is seen
here in the club yard.
Here is an interesting way
to model an airport. Show a
taxi way and approach lights
and then the main runway is
part of the skyboard. Five jets
await their turn for takeoff.
The F-16s pictured were
gray, mono color, plastic that
were assembled, modified to
include flashing LEDs, and
custom painted with tiger
stripes by the module builder,
Tim Forsyth. Tim also has
working runway lights on the
two modules comprising the
scene (8 ft. total).
Page 19

Throwing Light on NTRAK Modules
Mark Bean & George Johnstone, Melb-N-
Trak, text and photos.
Melb-N-Trak is a Melbourne Australia based
NTRAK club with over 35 modules whose
members have a strong commitment to quality
modeling and public exhibition that has seen its
layouts win ‘Best at Show’ in its home and
adjoining Australian states.
Part of that success can clearly be attributed to
a home-grown addition to what are otherwise
standard NTRAK modules. In response to the
common problems faced by all exhibitors of
NTRAK layouts of poor, often indirect, lighting
and the simple wish to highlight the fine work of
the scratch builders and scenery detailers, the
club, very early in its history, developed standards
for lighting boxes that can be easily attached
to standard modules.
Refer to the accompanying drawings for general
construction information. The first figure
shows the components pieces for a standard
light box with side boards. The second figure
shows an assembled light box pulled away from
its side board. The front panel is longer by the
width of a side board on either side for cosmetic
reasons. The top board could also be made the
same length as the front board. This would
create a bracket to facilitate alignment of the
light box to the side boards during set up. The
light boxes are attached to the side boards by
means of two countersunk bolts pushed through
the side board and then the end panel support of
the light box and secured by wing nuts.
Jim’s note: More text, photos and drawings
about these light boxes are in a Data Sheet that
will be posted on our web site;
www.ntrak.org
26-1/2"
20-1/4"
8"
14-3/4"
16-1/2"
5-7/8"
Skyboard
lightbox support
3/8" Plywood
2 per module
7-1/8"
12"
48"
24"
7-1/8"
7-1/8"
Front panel
1/8" Plywood
(1 per module)
Rear panel
1/8" Plywood
(1 per module)
End panel support
3/4" Plywood
3 per 4ft module
4 per 6ft module
4-1/4"
6-1/8"
4-3/4"
3-15/16"
Top panel
1/2" Plywood
(1 per module)
Vent hole
47-1/4"
Page 20

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 60148. (630)
355-5029, E-Mail: Staff@Greenbergshows.com - www.greenbergshows.com
Pittsburgh ExpoMart - Monroeville, PA ------------------------------- July 24-25
Exhibition Hall, Maryland State Fairgrounds - Timonium, MD ---- Jul 31-Aug 1
Dulles Expo & Convention Center - Chantilly, VA ------------------ Aug 7-8
New Jersey Expo Ctr, Edison, NJ --------------------------------------- Aug 14-15
Hofstra Univ, Hempstead, NY ------------------------------------------- Oct 23-24
No Atlanta Trade Ctr, Norcross, GA ------------------------------------ Nov 6-7
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.
East Valley Lines N Scale, Traveltown, Griffith Park,
off Ventura Freeway. 11AM-4PM Free. Large club N
layout in operation. Info: Lowell Majors, 213 662-2311.
Jul 10/11, Warminister, Wilts, UK
Mendip NTRAK, Red Cross Hall, Station Rd, club open
houseweekends. Open Sat noon to 6pm, Sun 10am to 4 pm.
Check website for maps and other dates.
freespace.virgin.net/nicholas.morgan6/
email: rich.morgan@virgin.net
Aug 5-8 Chantilly, VA
Capitol Limited, 2004 N Scale East Convention, Dulles
Expo Center and Holiday Inn. Huge NTRAK Layout,
largest yet. 30,000 sq ft. All scales Greenberg Show, 100+
Vendors, Layout Tours, Clinics and Prototype Tours. Hotel
$89 single or double, includes breakfast. See page 6 for
more info. www.nvntrak.org
Sep 18,Midwest City, OK
SE Oklahoma City Area MRR Meet, Rose State Col-
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.
lege Student Ctr, 6420 S. E. 15th St. 9-4 Sat, $3, $6 family.
Contact: Don Gilmore,
Oct 9th, Flat Rock, NC
Autumn Rails 2004, Bonclarken Bldg, West Blue Ridge
Rd,10-3pm Large NTRAK layout, dealers, door prizes. $4,
under 13 free. Contact Chuck Place, 828-685-2726,
hmp3@blueridge.net
Oct 9-10, Fort Worth, TX
22nd Railroad Show, Lockheed Martin Rec Area, 3400
Bryant Irvin Rd, 10-5 Sat, 11-5 Sun, Modular layouts, 130
dealer tables, club HO layout. $6 adult, under 10 free.
Contact: Bob Bray, 817-249-4965, robert.l.bray@lmco.com
NMRA National Conventions
2004 Seattle, WA, July 4-11
2005 Cincinnati, OH, July 3-11
2006 Philadelphia, PA
2007 Detroit, MI, July 22-29
2008 Anaheim, CA
2009 Open, East Coast
2010 Milwaukee, WI, 75th Anniv
Page 21

Available from NTRAK
The NTRAK Module 'How-to' Book. Now 150 pgs
of plans, photos, and 'how-to' details for building
NTRAK modules. Chapters on Design, Carpentry, Wiring,
Track laying and recent innovations in modules..
$12 pp (Clubs- 3 or more, $8.50 ea pp)
NTRAK Manual. Full specifications for NTRAK
Modules. 20 pgs. $2.00 ea pp (Clubs- 5/$5 pp)
Newsletters for groups. A discount is available for
overseas NTRAK Clubs when newsletters are sent to
one address. Inquire by letter or email for specifics.
N Resource Booklets
Three N Resource Booklets are now available from
NTRAK. The Booklets are made up of articles from past
Newsletters, some from issues no longer available. The
material was brought up to date and additional material
was added.
Revised Booklet on Throttles. It now includes information
on using DCC on NTRAK layouts and plans for
a very simple throttle. Other subjects include: using
meters, slowing blocks, power supplies, and an article
on how to operate NTRAK layouts.
Basic Electronics for N Scalers. Based on the Electronic
Shop articles from past issues. The material has
been rearranged and some gaps were filled in. It is a
rather complete primer on electronics for the railroad
modeler.
N Scale Basics. Ratings of all plastic engines. Which
couplers? Best car weights. Track laying. Turnout
basics and making them work better. Small layouts.
Many tips and hints for N scalers.
Cinch Jones Connectors
Two pin connectors are available individually and in
sets. Chassis type sockets require a mounting box or
board. Prices include postage.
"A" Sets: Male w/clamp & Female chassis mount
4 ea. $15.92, 5 ea $19.90, 12 or more pairs, $3.86/pr
"B" Sets: Male & Female with cable clamps
4 ea. $20.93, 5 ea $26.17, 12 or more pairs, $5.07/pr
P-302-CCT, Male plug w/ cable clamp $2.59 ea
S-302-CCT, Socket w/cable clamp, $2.75 ea
S-302-AB, Socket, chassis type, $1.47 ea
T-TRAK Module Kits
Precison cut Baltic Birch plywood frame,
corner blocks with “T” nuts installed. Simple
glue together kit. Full instructions.
One straight module, $9.75 + s & h
Additional modules, $9.25 each + s & h
Shipping & handling rates are lower for
more modules to same address.. Order from:
next page or www.ntrak.org.
Page 22
Steam Loco Book
Our newly revised and expanded book covers
N scale steam locomotives from making them
run better, to detailing, to complex construction
projects where two mechanisms are cut and
spliced together to make a longer locomotive not
offered commercially. A number of repowering
projects are included. The 112 page soft cover
book is 8–1⁄2"x11" and has over 100 photos plus
many drawings. New articles have been added
and the others brought up to date. The source for
information on N scale steam engines. The cost
is $12 postpaid in the USA, Canada and overseas
surface mail. Please add $4 for overseas Airmail.
Introduction to Nn3 - Basic information on
modeling N narrow gauge with sources for ready
to run and kits. 16 pages, 8-1/2 x 11, $4 ea pp.
Nn3 Manual, 5th Ed - How-to articles on
converting Marklin Z scale to N narrow gauge.
Articles on cars, layouts & photos of prize winning
Nn3 models. Source for parts and kits. 80
pgs 8-1/2x11. $12 ea pp.
Narrow Gauge Data Book - Over 200 scale
drawings of engines, cars, and structures. History
of most narrow gauge roads, color lists, and
lettering guides. 64 pages 8-1/2 x 11. $8 ea pp.
Track Plan Set for over 100 modules and
special units. Printed on heavy card stock. Can
be cut out and placed on furnished graph paper
to plan home or club layouts to fit your space or
just to get ideas for track plans. Full instructions.
Set- $2.50 ea pp
oNeTRAK Manual A 16 page Manual just
for oNeTRAK modules. It gives dimensions,
construction ideas, track plans and wiring
schemes for these popular additions to NTRAK
layouts. $2.00 post paid.
Lapel Pin, 3 color fired enamel "slant N logo"
(.4" x 1.1") $2.50 ea pp.
Cloth Patch, Light Blue oval (2" x 3-1/2")
with the NTRAK "engine logo". $2.50 ea pp.
Metal Button, Light Blue oval (1-3/4" x 2-
3⁄4") with the NTRAK "engine logo". $1.50 ea.
NTRAK Vinyl "Peel & Stick" Weather
proof (2"x 5–1/2") "engine logos". Work well
on car bumpers, train boxes, or Newsletter binders.
Please indicate color wanted, white, black,
or red. $3.00 ea pp.
30th Anniversary Container Set.
Pair, red, white and big sky blue.
$17.00 postage paid. Additional on
same order, $15 each.
T-TRAK cloth embroidered patch.
2-5/8” x 4-1/2” oval, four colors.
T-TRAK lapel pin, 1-1/8” oval, red,
white & blue.
Either are $3.50 each, postage paid.
Profit supports the youth program.

Available from NTRAK.
$_______ Renew Membership 1 yr/six issues,
$6.50, USA & Cdn. $10 overseas by air mail.
$_______ New Membership. 1yr Newsletter and
NTRAK Manual, $8.00 USA & Cdn, $12 0verseas.
$______The NTRAK Module 'How-to' Book.
Now 150 pgs $12 pp (Clubs, 3 or more, $8.50 ea pp.)
$______ NTRAK Manual. 20 page module specifications.
$2.00 ea pp (Clubs- 5/$5 pp)
$______ Throttles for NTRAK & Home, $4 ea pp
$______ Basic Electronics for N Scale, $3 ea pp,
$______ N Scale Basics, $3 ea pp,
$_______ N Steam Loco Info Book, 112 pages .
$12.00 post paid
$______ Introduction to Nn3, 16pgs, $4.00pp.
$______ Nn3 Manual, 5th Ed, 80pgs, $12.00pp
$______ Nn3 Handbook, NEW! 140 pages. Details
for kit and scratch building Narrow Gauge in N
scale. Produced by the top Nn3 modelers. $24.95pp.
$______ Narrow Gauge Data Book, 66 pages,
8-1/2x11 softbound, $8.00pp.
$______ Track Plan Set. Track plans for over 100
modules& special units. Set- $2.50 ea pp
$______ oNeTRAK Manual. 16 pages $2.00 pp
Most NTRAK Newsletter back issues after 1981 are
still available. Great variety of N Scale projects and
information. Send for free detailed listing.
[ ] Back issue price list (free)
$__________ Priority for books $3, Canada air $3
Overseas air $6
$__________TOTAL for NTRAK items wanted.
Cinch Jones CONNECTORS
[ ] "A" Set: 4 male w/cable clamps & 4 female w/
chassis mount, enough for one module $15.92pp
[ ] "A" Set: 5 male w/cable clamps & 5 female w/
chassis mount, for module w/Mt Div $19.90pp
[ ] "B" Set: 4 male w/cable clamps & 4 female w/
cable clamps, enough for one module $20.93pp
[ ] "B" Set: 5 male w/cable clamps & 5 female w/
cable clamps, for module w/Mt Div $26.17pp
[ ] 12 or more "A" pairs, $3.86 per pair.
[ ] 12 or more "B" pairs, $5.07 per pair
[ ] P-302-CCT, Male plug w/ clamp $2.59 ea
[ ] S-302-CCT, Socket w/cable clamp, $2.75 ea
[ ] S-302-AB, Socket, chassis type, $1.47ea
$_______ Clearance Gauge Check bridges & tunnels
for double stack cars. $4.00 ea pp
$______ NTRAK Logo Pins Steam or diesel oval
design. Fired enamel. (.4" x 1.1") $3.00 ea pp.
[ ] Steam [ ] Diesel
$______ Cloth Patch Light Blue oval (2-3/4" x 3-
1/2") w/ NTRAK "engine logo". $2.50ea pp.
$______ Metal Button Lt Blue oval (1-3/4" x 2-
3/4") w/ NTRAK "engine logo". $1.50 ea pp.
$______ Vinyl Transfer Die cut "Peel-N-Stick"
(2" x 5-1/2") NTRAK "engine logo".
[ ] White [ ] Black [ ] Red $3.00 ea pp.
$______ Connecting track 6.5" long, 75¢ each, 6
for $4.00 or 24 for $15.00, pp.
$______ DCC for NTRAK Layouts $1.00pp
$______ 30th Anniv Containers Pair $17.00
$______ T-TRAK Logo Patch, $3.50pp
$______ T-TRAK Logo Lapel Pin, $3.50pp
Mail to: NTRAK, Inc. Make checks to: NTRAK, Inc.
15913 Brawner Dr, Dumfries, VA 22026-1416 (US funds please)
Member # __________ (from mailing label, we can look it up if it isn't handy)
Name____________________________________________________________________
Street____________________________________________________________________
State
Zip/Postal
City___________________________ Prov. __________ Code___________________
Phone (_____) __________________ e-mail address _____________________________
[ ] I have a home N layout. Aprox. size ______ x______ feet.
[ ] I have an NTRAK module(s). Total length _________ feet.
Page 23
Note: All prices "postage paid" (pp). We pay for USA, Canada & overseas surface mail.Priority/Air extra.

Presorted Standard
US Postage PAID
Permit 163 Paso Robles, CA
FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED
Return to:
NTRAK Modular Railroading Society Inc.
15913 Brawner Dr
Dumfries, VA 22026-1416
Page 24