02.01.2015 Views

The New Newsletter - NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc.

The New Newsletter - NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc.

The New Newsletter - NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc.

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>New</strong>sletter<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>NTRAK</strong> <strong>Modular</strong> <strong>Railroading</strong> <strong>Society</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>.<br />

January / February, 2013<br />

<strong>The</strong> upper two photos are of a highly detailed N scale model of a Union Pacific 2-10-2 Steam engine ready to be<br />

painted and below is the finihed model. One of many projects in the 2012 Steam Addendum, See page 2 for details.<br />

Model and photos by Richard Dost


JIM’S CORNER<br />

I still have hope of getting back on schedule with the<br />

<strong>New</strong>sletters. My Templeton home has been sold and the last<br />

boxes of stuff are now in the garage waiting to be “organized”.<br />

My present plan is to follow this <strong>New</strong>sletter with another issue<br />

with a minimum of delay. I hope to see you again soon.<br />

<strong>The</strong> N Scale Steam Locomotive Information Book, 2012 Addendum<br />

is, at last, printed and ready for sale. At 88 pages plus<br />

covers, this is our largest Addendum yet. On the cover of this<br />

<strong>New</strong>sletter are some typical article photos used to explain<br />

various steps in duplicating the author’s modeling.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cover model is of Union Pacific 2-10-2 engine #5037<br />

which had a number of unique features not found on other UP<br />

2-10-2s. It was built by Richard Dost for his UP steam fleet.<br />

Editors Jim Kline and Craig Barrow recruit steam modelers<br />

whose kitbached models represent particular engines on a<br />

railroad. <strong>The</strong>n the modeler is asked to furnish photos and text<br />

to explain just how he created a 1:160 size model of that<br />

locomotive. Some engines have been built with an article in<br />

mind, resulting in useful step by step photos.<br />

Other articles focus on improving the running qualities of<br />

available models and fixes for certain flaws. In some cases a<br />

different motor and gearing turns a so-so engine into a favorite.<br />

You are given the details and how to avoid the mistakes and<br />

wrong paths that the author encountered plus where he found<br />

the needed parts.<br />

<strong>The</strong> new book also has an index of articles by wheel type in<br />

the 2007 to 2012 Addendums and the basic 2006 Steam Locomotive<br />

Book. Another is an alphabetical list by subject mater.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cost is $18.00 including postage. Order from our web site<br />

using PayPal for Credit Cards or by check and mail from<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Orders, 1629 University Dr., Richardson, TX 75081.<br />

List of Articles in the 2012 Steam Addendum<br />

Bachmann Alco 2-6-0<br />

<strong>The</strong> Bachmann Spectrum light USRA 2-10-2<br />

Intermountain Southern Pacific Cab Forwards<br />

Northern Pacific 0-8-0 Class G-1<br />

Building ATSF Mikado #3156<br />

Making an SP Mikado from a Kato Mikado<br />

Building UP 2-10-2 #5037<br />

Refurbishing Arnold Rapido Pacifics and Hudsons<br />

Arnold 4-6-2 Motor and Tender Upgrade<br />

<strong>New</strong> Sources of Steam Parts<br />

N Scale Pennsy K4 Revisited<br />

Building Union Pacific Mountain 7869<br />

N Scale Independent Steam Builders<br />

Replacing MP Steam Tenders with Bachmann<br />

Spectrum<br />

Reducing Engine Wheel Flanges Using a Centering<br />

Fixture<br />

An Interview with Ted Brandon An N Scale Pioneer<br />

Steam Book Articles Lists<br />

<strong>The</strong> top is a Kato Mikado and the bottom is an ATSF oil<br />

burning Mikado conversion by Fred McDowell, from an<br />

article in the 2012 Addendum.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>New</strong> <strong>NTRAK</strong> <strong>New</strong>sletter<br />

Designed by Lee<br />

Renewals, Orders & Shipping<br />

Inge Trost<br />

1629 University Dr<br />

Richardson, TX 75081<br />

E-mail: orders@ntrak.org<br />

Jim FitzGerald, President & Editor<br />

For <strong>NTRAK</strong> questions & sending articles.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>., 705 Turtle Creek Road<br />

Paso Robles, CA 93446<br />

E-mail: jim@ntrak.org or ntrak@tcsn.net<br />

Ph(805) 286-0753<br />

Web Master<br />

Bruce Alcock, Director<br />

1030 County St 2930<br />

Tuttle, OK 73089<br />

E-mail; nytrr@hotmail.com<br />

Web site: www.ntrak.org<br />

Ed Schultz, Director<br />

20581 Cypress Dr<br />

Farmington, MN 55024<br />

E-mail: ezlivin@charter.net<br />

Dave Porter, Director<br />

7140 Strawn Court<br />

Alexandria, VA 22306<br />

E-mail:dave@ntrak.org<br />

Next Issue Deadline February 1st<br />

Deadline for Coming Events & other material is the 1st of the month before publication,<br />

(Feb 1st, Apr 1st, June 1st, Aug 1st, Oct 1st, Dec 1st)<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 2


<strong>New</strong> from MicroTrains®<br />

A Canadian Pacific 50' standard plug door boxcar<br />

w/roofwalk CP 80264, MT 032 00 170. White<br />

lettering, red & white logo, boxcar red body, $19.10.<br />

<strong>The</strong> 40' Ortner open hopper is boxcar red with white<br />

lettering for Southern Pacific, is SP 481396 and<br />

$23.40. <strong>The</strong> MT#125 00 010 hopper was often used<br />

for ballast rock.<br />

A three bay high side covered hopper is light gray<br />

with black lettering for SLSF “Frisco”79492. MT<br />

096 00 110 is $25.55.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is a lumber load in the 50' standard single<br />

door boxcar w/roofwalk. Pennsy PRR 83030 has<br />

white lettering and the keystone logo. MT 031 00 411<br />

is $22.55.<br />

Canadian National “Wet Noodle” logo is white on<br />

boxcar red of the 40' single door boxcar. CN 474927<br />

is MT 020 00 906 and $19.10.<br />

Another 40' Ortner open hopper is white with black<br />

lettering for Williams Bros of Atlanta, GA. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />

red and blue logos at each corner of WBCX 85056,<br />

MT 125 00 120, $24.90.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 3


By Tony Hines<br />

Locomotives and Rolling Stock<br />

Athearn – Athearn has decided to<br />

slow their announcements by going to<br />

every other month. Hopefully this<br />

will help them catch up faster, but it<br />

leaves us with no announcement this<br />

month.<br />

Atlas – We thought Atlas had<br />

already announced for March in their<br />

winter catalog. Today the March<br />

announcements arrived and the S-2<br />

shown in the winter catalog is now<br />

being offered as a Gold Series loco<br />

with sound. This is the first time for a<br />

Gold Series loco in N scale and the<br />

first time Atlas has ventured into the<br />

arena of sound. It happens to be on a<br />

relatively small switcher to boot. <strong>The</strong><br />

sound system will be provided by<br />

Loksound and the price is not that out<br />

of line for a sound equipped<br />

locomotive.<br />

Alco S-2<br />

http://www.atlasrr.com/NLoco/ns2.htm<br />

Master Single Sheath Box -<br />

http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/nusra<br />

ssboxcar6.htm<br />

50' Precision Design Box -<br />

http://www.atlasrr.com/NFreight/npreb<br />

oxcar7.htm<br />

Bachmann – Bachmann has been<br />

quietly sneaking in new road numbers<br />

and paint on reruns of existing locos<br />

and cars. It’s a pretty long list....<br />

70 Ton – Orange and Cream<br />

GP7 – Rock Island, Central <strong>New</strong><br />

Jersey, D&RGW, PRR<br />

Brill Trolley – United Traction<br />

4-6-0 – B&O, C&O NKP, Southern<br />

Green (new #)<br />

36'6” Single Dome Tank –<br />

Tidewater, Quaker State, Clark<br />

40' Steel Box – GN, NYS&W, B&O<br />

Timesaver<br />

NE Steel Caboose – N&W Blue,<br />

D&H, B&M, WM Speed, LV, RDG<br />

Bluford – Bluford announced<br />

another batch of wood chip hoppers.<br />

This group includes:<br />

CP, MP, IC, GT, Soo Line,<br />

<strong>New</strong> N Products<br />

Seaboard, and Frisco available in 6<br />

road numbers. Chattahoochee,<br />

GMSR, AD&N available in 3 road<br />

numbers.<br />

http://www.blufordshops.com/bluford_93_040.htm<br />

Broadway Limited – Broadway<br />

has quietly brought back some of<br />

their more popular E units with<br />

sound. <strong>The</strong>y are due in June. It is a<br />

mixed bag of offerings. I will do my<br />

best to list them here:<br />

A/B sets include one powered with<br />

sound A one unpowered B<br />

Individual locos all come powered<br />

with sound.<br />

E6 A/B – ATSF, UP, Undec<br />

E6A – ATSF, B&O, IC x 2, Milw<br />

x2, UP, Undec<br />

E6B – ATSF, B&O, Undec<br />

E7 A/B – SP Daylight, UP City of<br />

LA<br />

E7A – ACL, B&M x2, Milw x2, SP,<br />

Undec<br />

E7B - ACL, SP, UP, Undec<br />

E8 A/B – ATSF, UP, Undec<br />

E8A – ATSF, CB&Q x2, Demo,<br />

NYC x2, PRR x2, Undec<br />

E8B – ATSF, Undec<br />

E9A – UP<br />

E9B - UP<br />

DeLuxe – Deluxe has a couple<br />

announcements for this month, or<br />

should I say re-announcements of a<br />

couple of 1944 AAR 40' Boxcars. A<br />

set of B&O and Santa Fe originally<br />

announced a few years back and<br />

never delivered are being relisted for<br />

pre-order.<br />

http://www.deluxeinnovations.com/n<br />

ewannouncements.html<br />

Fox Valley Models – Fox Valley<br />

has started with some of the cars<br />

announced at Amherst. <strong>The</strong> first car to<br />

get the official nod is the B&O<br />

canstock car. <strong>The</strong>re was also a mid<br />

month announcement on short notice<br />

of a new run of B&O M-53<br />

Wagontops, Milwaukee cabooses, and<br />

some special paint scheme GEVOs<br />

and US Army box cars. Unfortunately<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 4<br />

the GEVOs and box cars sold out the<br />

same day of the announcement.<br />

Wagontop -<br />

http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/im<br />

ages/annoucements/feb13bandobox.jpg<br />

Caboose -<br />

http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/im<br />

ages/annoucements/feb13mkecab.jpg<br />

Gevo & USAX -<br />

http://www.foxvalleymodels.com/im<br />

ages/annoucements/feb13gevo2.jpg<br />

Canstock -<br />

http://www.intermountainrailway.com/reservationflyers/RF0213<br />

HOandNFVMBoxcars.htm<br />

Intermountain – All<br />

announcements this month were HO.<br />

Kato - Kato has a few new items<br />

and some long lost locos coming very<br />

soon. First and foremost is a re-run of<br />

both versions of the SD40-2, both<br />

early and mid production. Roads are<br />

interesting to say the least, Early;<br />

Wisconsin Southern, Pan Am,<br />

C&NW, UP and Mid; BN, Illinois<br />

Central, NS/Maersk, ATSF. Also<br />

added by popular demand, a batch of<br />

early Undec are available by preorder<br />

only . Also coming in the next<br />

few months are 3 new Maxi-1 sets;<br />

TTX/Maersk, BNSF/MOL,<br />

AOK/Hanjin. Also more Maxi IV’s<br />

are coming; BNSF/Swift, AOK/CSX<br />

“How tomorrow moves”.<br />

Shortly after FVM announced that<br />

they would be doing variations of the<br />

SD70, including the NS Heritage<br />

fleet, Kato announced that they would<br />

follow suit with all of the<br />

SD70ACE’s in the NS fleet. Not sure<br />

if there will be body modifications to<br />

match the NS version of the ACE’s.<br />

SD40-2 Early & Mid<br />

- http://www.katousa.com/N/SD40-<br />

2/index.html<br />

SD70ACE Heritagehttp://www.katousa.com/N/SD70AC<br />

e/index.html<br />

Maxi I-<br />

http://www.katousa.com/N/MAXII/in<br />

dex.html


Entry Level Nn3 Locomotive Text<br />

& photos by Tom Knapp<br />

Although 6.5mm gauge Nn3 has<br />

been around since 1972, it remains a<br />

relatively small segment of the N<br />

scale model railway community.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is a good supply of rolling<br />

stock and track products, but - with a<br />

few exceptions - motive power still<br />

remains primarily kit conversions of<br />

Marklin Z chassis. <strong>The</strong> main source<br />

for these kits in the USA are the<br />

excellent white metal kits from<br />

Republic Locomotive Works, who<br />

have a broad range of steam<br />

locomotives and a couple of diesels.<br />

In the U.K., Peco still produces two<br />

small steam white metal locomotive<br />

conversion kits for the Marklin 0-6-<br />

0, under their “N6.5" line, in addition<br />

to injection molded wagon kits. One<br />

of the shops that carries the Peco 6.5<br />

products is Country Rolling Stock<br />

( http://www.ntasticshop.co.uk/ )<br />

Recently while surfing their pages I<br />

came across another inexpensive<br />

white metal Nn3 locomotive<br />

conversion kit - their ZCGB-NG-<br />

001 - Nn3 Diesel Shunter Kit<br />

manufactured by NMRS of<br />

Northampton. (<strong>The</strong>y also make Z<br />

scale products.) <strong>The</strong> kit sells for<br />

£11.99 (about $19 US) and is a<br />

simple body kit composed of seven<br />

white metal castings Photo 1). <strong>The</strong><br />

kit was designed to fit the Marklin<br />

8805 saddle tank 0-6-0T chassis<br />

(with the center driver set removed),<br />

but this locomotive is becoming<br />

increasingly hard to find, and is<br />

expensive. For this build, I decided<br />

to use the PowerMAX! four-wheel<br />

chassis available from Republic<br />

Locomotive Works<br />

(https://www.republiclocomotivework<br />

s.com/show_item.phpItem=SR%20P<br />

MX-1 ) also shown in Photo 1, plus a<br />

Photo 1<br />

Photo 2<br />

NMRS white metal diesel shunter (switcher) kit and<br />

PowerMAX1 6.5mm gauge power truck.<br />

Assembled white metal casting<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 5


set of their universal mounting brackets. <strong>The</strong> wheelbase is<br />

not correct for the journal locations on the white metal<br />

casting, and requires some modifications to accommodate<br />

mounting the PowerMAX! Here’s how I built my loco:<br />

Body assembly:<br />

This is pretty straight-forward. File mating edges smooth<br />

and assemble using CA adhesive. I also filled the vertical<br />

joints at the edges of the cab walls with Tamiya “basic”<br />

filler. (Photo 2) I drilled out the headlights on the front and<br />

back of the cab wall castings after assembling the castings,<br />

but this would be easier if done before assembly. <strong>The</strong><br />

wheelbase on the PowerMAX! is different than the Marklin.<br />

You have three choices: (1) carefully “peel” off the journals<br />

and springs on the side castings and re-locate, (2) section the<br />

entire chassis to move the journals closer, or (3) ignore the<br />

difference, which is not visible under normal operating<br />

conditions. I chose the last as the easy way out.<br />

Fitting universal mounting brackets:<br />

<strong>The</strong> mounting bracket brass castings need to be prepped<br />

prior to installation by reaming the holes for the screws,<br />

filing off the spru attachments, cutting the tabs to length, and<br />

drilling for the screws that hold the coupler in place and<br />

attach the body to the chassis. Remove the center pivot<br />

mounting bracket and use the same screws to attach one of<br />

the universal brackets to the PowerMAX! chassis. Remove<br />

the two screws on the gear end of the chassis, and mount the<br />

other bracket using the two 3/6" long 00-90 screws which<br />

come with the brackets. (Photo 3) <strong>The</strong> tabs on the castings<br />

are intended to allow for a variety of potential applications.<br />

In this case, the wheels are to be located equidistant from the<br />

end sills. After mounting the brackets on the chassis, fit it to<br />

the body casting, mark and cut to length.<br />

Creating mounting pads in the body casting:<br />

Test fit the chassis to the body and mark the locations for<br />

the coupler mounting screws. I drilled #55 clearance holes in<br />

the tabs, so I could use a 3/16" screw through the MTL 905<br />

to attach the body to the chassis. <strong>The</strong>re is sufficient metal at<br />

the front of the body casting for this, but the rear needs to be<br />

built-up with styrene to create a pad for this purpose. (Photo<br />

4) I drilled #65 holes in the pads then tapped them for 00-90<br />

screws.<br />

Photo 3<br />

PowerMAX! with optional brass mounting brackets,<br />

available separately from Republic Locomotive Works.<br />

Photo 4<br />

NMRS superstructure, showing where the metal<br />

structure was modified at the front for the mounting tab,<br />

and the pad fabricated from styrene at the rear to accept<br />

the tab on the gear end of the PowerMAX! Holes have<br />

been drilled and threaded for 00-90 screws.<br />

Photo 5<br />

Lights:<br />

Following the instructions which come with the<br />

PowerMAX!, I fitted two Richmond Controls Golden White<br />

SMLED lamps to the chassis, testing for polarity/direction to<br />

identify the forward and reverse lamps (Photo 5). I then<br />

glued the lamps in place inside the headlight openings after<br />

coating each lamp with CA adhesive for insulation. After<br />

painting, the lenses were formed using Pacer “Formula 560”<br />

Canopy Glue.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 6<br />

<strong>The</strong> Richmond Controls Golden White LED<br />

“lamps” wired to the PowerMAX! truck – marked<br />

so the right lamp gets in the right headlight!


Painting:<br />

I primed the loco body with Floquil<br />

Metal Primer and let it dry overnight,<br />

then painted with Star D&RGW<br />

“Bumblebee” Gold. (Star is available<br />

direct from Precision Scale Models.)<br />

(Photo 6) To make the cab walls look<br />

thinner, I painted the edges of the<br />

window openings Floquil Engine Black.<br />

Finally, I used Rust All weathering<br />

solutions to lightly “rust” the body and<br />

bring out detail. (Photo 7)<br />

Finishing touches:<br />

To more “Americanize” the loco, I<br />

added a bell from Republic Locomotive<br />

Works.<br />

<strong>The</strong> finished locomotive runs well, and<br />

thanks to the weight of the metal body<br />

and the 70:1 gear ratio of the<br />

PowerMAX!, pulls well. (Photo 8)<br />

<strong>The</strong> total investment was less than<br />

$150. I have posted a video shot on my<br />

Stovepipe Wells layout on You Tube<br />

: http://youtu.be/0Oj3aQhcbyYt=4s<br />

Photo 7<br />

Photo 6<br />

Painted D&RGW “Bumblebee Gold”, before<br />

weathering….<br />

…..and after weathering. Note how the cab walls look<br />

thinner simply by painting the inside edges of the openings<br />

with Floquil Engine Black. Also note the added bell.<br />

Photo 8<br />

Next time, I will<br />

describe a sound<br />

installation using a very<br />

special Motorola speaker<br />

which fits inside the cab<br />

of an Nn3 engine.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 7<br />

Next time….micro-speaker with large sound, in Nn3 cab.


Photo 9<br />

Switching Tonopah Mine on my Stovepipe Wells layout.<br />

In the 2012 Steam Addendum there is an article by Hans Starmans on the Pennsylvania<br />

Railroad K4 4-6-2 engine made in their own shops by the hundreds. Shown here are two of<br />

the models that Hans has built. He discusses the Minitrix and Fleischmann plastic models as<br />

well as brass models and how to combine parts to get an accurate model of the K4.<br />

Photos by<br />

Marc Starmans and<br />

Doug Nelson<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 8


Great River Valley Systems <strong>NTRAK</strong> Club Recent Show Layouts<br />

GTE Photo 1: View of the show floor. In addition to the layouts and vendors<br />

shown here, a dozen additional layouts were set up in the outer halls.<br />

Text and Photos by Ed Shultz<br />

Great River Valley System (GRVS)<br />

attended two train shows over the past<br />

few weeks and participated in N-Trak<br />

layouts at both shows. <strong>The</strong> first show<br />

was a Great Train Expo show held at<br />

the Mid-America center in Council<br />

Bluffs, Iowa the weekend of February<br />

1/2, 2013. GRVS and DesMoinTrak<br />

had a nice sized layout with two loops<br />

joined by two junction modules<br />

occupying a space of 62’ x 24’. Set<br />

up took place Friday afternoon with<br />

very few problems. GRVS has been<br />

doing shows with the Des Moines<br />

club and we find we work very well<br />

together. Over the past few years we<br />

have done several GTE shows and<br />

WGH shows with the Des Moines<br />

club; however, they still owe GRVS a<br />

bus. A large T-Trak layout was also<br />

on display at the show. That layout<br />

was put on by the Iowa Central T-<br />

Trak.<br />

<strong>The</strong> second show GRVS<br />

participated in was the 46th annual<br />

Mad (Madison) City Train show<br />

sponsored by the Wisconsin<br />

Southeast Division (WISE) of the<br />

NMRA on the weekend of February<br />

16/17, 2013. <strong>The</strong> N-Trak layout was<br />

coordinated by Dave Menard from<br />

Chippewa Valley N-Gineers. Other<br />

clubs that had modules in the 60’ x<br />

36’ N-Trak layout were Far North<br />

Rail from Thunder Bay, Canada,<br />

Northwest N-Trak from the Chicago<br />

area, and Milwaukee N-Trak<br />

(MANTrak). <strong>The</strong> show drew over<br />

7,000 attendees with over 5,000<br />

attendees on Saturday alone.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 9


GTE Photo 2: An overall view of the combined N-Trak layout from Des MoinTrak and GRVS.<br />

GTE Photo 3: Another view of the N-Trak layout from the Des MoinTrak side.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 10


GTE Photo 4: <strong>The</strong> large T-Trak layout.<br />

MAD City Photo 1: A view of one of the several halls that comprised<br />

the MAD City show. <strong>The</strong> large N-Trak layout is in the foreground.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 11


MAD City Photos: <strong>The</strong>se modules are owned by our Canadian friends Brian & Emily<br />

Thom from Thunder Bay, Ontario. <strong>The</strong> modules were originally built by Corky Whitlock<br />

from the Twin Cities area. What the photos don’t show is the all of the action these modules.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 12


MAD City photos:. <strong>The</strong>se modules were built by Jim Young and his wife Pam. Pam passed away several<br />

years ago from cancer. Jim runs a long pink train in honor of those who have dies from this disease.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 13


MAD City Photos. Jim & Dianne Lundeen from GRVS have two nice modules that make the rounds to most<br />

shows in the area. <strong>The</strong> first module is a small German town. <strong>The</strong> town has its own trolley line running<br />

from one end of town up and around to the other end. Auto reversers at each end keep the trolley running.<br />

<strong>The</strong> other modules show an early western scene. <strong>The</strong>re are over 100 hand painted buffalo in the scene as well as a<br />

wagon train with a chuck wagon pulling up the rear. You can almost hear George Washington Wishbone calling<br />

for ‘chow down’. For those of you too young to remember, Wishbone was the cook on the TV series “Rawhide”.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 14


Brian & Emily Thom from Thunder Bay, Ontario also did this module.<br />

MAD City photos. Jerome and Vicky Schuh have several well detailed modules with most<br />

scenes being 18’ in length. <strong>The</strong>se photos show some of the nice detail on their modules.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 15


MAD City photos of a refinery also modeled by Jerome and Vicky Schuh<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 16


<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 17<br />

MAD City Layout:<br />

This is an original Great Northern<br />

baggage car that was resurrected by Al<br />

and JoAnn Fliegal. <strong>The</strong> cart was<br />

completely rebuilt and then the top was<br />

decorated with small vignettes and the<br />

standard 3 track N-Trak compliment.<br />

Some of the different scenes can be<br />

seen in these photos. Since both sides<br />

are finished we usually try to have this<br />

set up in the spine so that both sides<br />

can be seen by the public. You’ll also<br />

notice the cover of the baggage cart<br />

has a ‘G’ scale train running.


Winterfest 2013<br />

Each winter the Northeast <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

club in the <strong>New</strong> England part of the<br />

country puts on a N convention and<br />

layouts during a large all scale Train<br />

Show in western Massachutes.<br />

On the following pages are some<br />

photos I received, including some of<br />

modelers at the show. Unless they are<br />

children, I usually crop out the people<br />

in photos and concentrate on the train<br />

scenes. Comments welcome.<br />

A Disneyland theme module built by<br />

Bob Falier featured a steam train ride<br />

(top photo). <strong>The</strong> middle photo shows a<br />

food building in use. <strong>The</strong> bottom photo<br />

is the famous Sleeping Beauty Castle<br />

entrance to Fantasyland.<br />

Photos by Ken Harstien<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 18


Ken Harstien won “Best Rolling Stock” in the model contest with a 28 foot ventilated<br />

boxcar made from a 3D printing process. Kits are available from Shapeways<br />

(www.shapeways.com) $48 for a 2 pack. Search site for “ventilated boxcar”. Photo by Ken.<br />

Bob Gatland founded Long Island<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> club. He was a <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

Director and is now retired in upstate<br />

<strong>New</strong> York. He is still active with train<br />

clubs in his new area.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Brooklyn <strong>NTRAK</strong> club joined with some of the <strong>New</strong> Jersey <strong>NTRAK</strong>ers to<br />

furnish part of the layout. On the left is John Brindel of the Brooklyn club. On<br />

the right is a modeler from one of the Jersey clubs. Below is more of the left end<br />

of the this part of the layout.<br />

Most photos by Dan Pawling Sr.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 19


This corner in the Brooklyn<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong>’s part of the layout was built<br />

by Ed McCumisky. <strong>The</strong> kids are<br />

enjoying watching a long string of<br />

coal hoppers going around the curve.<br />

Three members of the Brooklyn<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Club are checking things out<br />

at the same corner seen above.<br />

Photos by Dan Pawling Sr.<br />

Charles D’Avanzo<br />

John Gillen<br />

Dan Pawling, Jr.<br />

George Michaels (L) and Bob Pawlak (R) at the Northeast <strong>NTRAK</strong> yard<br />

portion of their club’s Winterfest layout. Bob coordinated the N Convention for<br />

many years, but seems to be enjoying setting up a train this time.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 20


T-TRAK is For All Ages<br />

Check T-TRAK Website for full drawings - www.t-trak.org<br />

Profits from the sale of these items go to the T-TRAK Youth Fund,<br />

established by Lee Monaco-FitzGerald to promote modeling by<br />

young people..<br />

T-TRAK Module kits use the original design<br />

by Lee Monaco-FitzGerald, the creator of the T-<br />

TRAK system for banquet table top modules<br />

running N scale and other scale trains.<br />

Note:Skyboard is not<br />

included with kits.<br />

T-TRAK cloth embroidered patch.<br />

2-5/8” x 4-1/2” oval, four colors.<br />

T-TRAK lapel pin, 1-1/8” oval, red,<br />

white and blue. (Not available until I<br />

find the storage place.)<br />

Either are $4.00 each, postage pd.<br />

Profit supports the youth program.<br />

Order T-TRAK kits and items from:<br />

www.ntrak.org go to “Country<br />

Store” for Credit Card (Pay Pal)<br />

or by check to:<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Order Department<br />

1629 University Dr.<br />

Richardson, TX 75081<br />

Straight Module Kit<br />

(12-1/8” x 8-1/4” $14.45<br />

x 2-3/4” H)<br />

Additional modules $12.00<br />

same order, each.<br />

Basic corner (Discontinued)<br />

Corner-33mm track space Kit<br />

(14-3/8” sq. $24.75<br />

x 2-3/4” H)<br />

Additional module $19.85<br />

same order, each.<br />

Precision cut Baltic Birch plywood<br />

frame, corner blocks with “T” nuts<br />

installed. Simple glue together kit.<br />

Full instructions.<br />

Qty Item Kit Cost<br />

____ 1st Straight _______<br />

____ 2nd Straight _______<br />

____ 1st Corner _______<br />

____ 2nd Corner _______<br />

Total Kit Order<br />

_______<br />

NOTE: Shipping prices for orders to<br />

Canada or Overseas are complex.<br />

Please list items wanted and contact<br />

us for costs and shipping options.<br />

Events<br />

June 26-30 Milwaukee, Wisc.<br />

National N Scale Convention<br />

N Scale Collector Convention, tours, auction, Swap-A-rama,<br />

clinics, special run cars, manufactures and banquet.<br />

N Scale Layouts by Milwaukee-N-SouthEastern, Northwest<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong>, Capital City “N”gineers, Milwaukee Area <strong>NTRAK</strong>,<br />

ModuTrak, Great River Valley System, Kettle Moraine<br />

Valley Ballast Scorchers and West Bend. WI club.<br />

For more information and registration, go to the convention<br />

web site:<br />

www.nationalnscaleconvention.com/<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 21


<strong>The</strong> <strong>NTRAK</strong> Module ‘How-to’ Book.<br />

Now 162 pgs of plans, photos, and<br />

‘how-to’ details for building <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

modules. <strong>New</strong> wiring and connector<br />

information is integrated throughout the<br />

book.Chapters on Design, Carpentry,<br />

Wiring, Track laying and recent<br />

innovations in modules..$16 pp<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Manual. Full specifications for<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Modules. 20 pgs. $2.50 ea pp<br />

(Clubs- 5 or more $2 ea)<br />

<strong>New</strong>sletters for groups. A discount is<br />

available for overseas <strong>NTRAK</strong> Clubs<br />

when newsletters are sent to one<br />

address. Inquire by letter or email for<br />

specifics.<br />

N Resource Booklets<br />

Three N Resource Booklets are now<br />

available from <strong>NTRAK</strong>. <strong>The</strong> Booklets<br />

are made up of articles from past<br />

<strong>New</strong>sletters, some from issues no longer<br />

available. <strong>The</strong> material was brought up<br />

to date and additional material was<br />

added.<br />

Revised Booklet on Throttles. It now<br />

includes information on using DCC on<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> layouts and plans for a very<br />

simple throttle. Other subjects include:<br />

using meters, slowing blocks, power<br />

supplies, and an article on how to<br />

operate <strong>NTRAK</strong> layouts. $4.25 ea pp<br />

Basic Electronics for N Scalers. Based<br />

on the Electronic Shop articles from past<br />

issues. <strong>The</strong> material has been rearranged<br />

and some gaps were filled in. It is a<br />

rather complete primer on electronics for<br />

the railroad modeler. $3.50 ea pp<br />

N Scale Basics. Which engines. Which<br />

couplers Best car weights. Track<br />

laying. Turnout basics and making them<br />

work better. Small layouts. Many tips<br />

and hints for N scalers. $7.00 ea pp<br />

Available from <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

Steam Loco Book Our book has 1/3 all<br />

new material. It covers N scale steam<br />

locomotives from making them run<br />

better, to detailing, to complex<br />

construction projects. A number of<br />

repowering projects are included. <strong>The</strong><br />

144 page soft cover book is<br />

8–1⁄2"x11" and has over 100 photos plus<br />

many drawings. It is the source for<br />

information on N scale steam engines.<br />

<strong>The</strong> cost is $20.00 postpaid in the USA,<br />

Canada and overseas surface mail. Please<br />

add $5 for overseas Airmail.<br />

“Steam Deal” All 6 Steam addenda plus<br />

the N Steam Loco Book, 500 pages of<br />

info available nowhere else. $84, save $6<br />

NEW! ‘12 N Steam Loco Addendum.<br />

88 pages of all new Information on<br />

current N scale Steam Locomotives,<br />

$18.00 including shipping. See page 4.<br />

2007 Addendum, 44 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

2008 Addendum, 40 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

2009 Addendum, 44 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

2010 Addendum, 60 pgs $11.00 pp<br />

2011 Addendum, 80 pgs $14.00 pp<br />

Cinch Jones & Powerpole Connectors<br />

Both types of connectors are now<br />

available individually and in sets. See<br />

pricing on next page.<br />

Introduction to Nn3 - Basic information<br />

on modeling N narrow gauge with<br />

sources for ready to run and kits. 16<br />

pages, 8-1/2 x 11, $6.25 ea pp.<br />

Narrow Gauge Data Book - Over 200<br />

N scale drawings of engines, cars, and<br />

structures. History of most narrow gauge<br />

roads, color lists, and lettering guides. 64<br />

pages 8-1/2 x 11. $9 ea pp.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 22<br />

Track Plan Set for over 100<br />

modules<br />

and special units. Printed on heavy<br />

card stock. Can be cut out and<br />

placed on furnished graph paper to<br />

plan home or club layouts to fit<br />

your space or just to get ideas for<br />

track plans. Full instructions. Set-<br />

$4.00 ea pp<br />

T-TRAK Kits, please see previous<br />

page.<br />

oNeTRAK Manual A 16 page<br />

Manual just for oNeTRAK<br />

modules. It gives dimensions,<br />

construction ideas, track plans and<br />

wiring schemes for these popular<br />

additions to <strong>NTRAK</strong> layouts. $3.00<br />

post paid.<br />

Lapel Pin, 2 color fired enamel<br />

oval Steam or Diesel <strong>NTRAK</strong> logo<br />

pins. 0.4” x1.1”, $3.75 ea.<br />

Cloth Patch, Light Blue oval (2" x<br />

3-1/2") with the <strong>NTRAK</strong> “engine<br />

logo”. $2.75 ea pp.<br />

Metal Button, Light Blue oval (1<br />

3/4" x 2-3⁄4") with the <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

“engine logo”. $1.75 ea.<br />

NEW! <strong>NTRAK</strong> Vinyl “Peel &<br />

Stick” Weather proof (3"x 5–1/2")<br />

“engine logos”. Work well on car<br />

bumpers, train boxes, or <strong>New</strong>sletter<br />

binders. Either steam or diesel<br />

logos. $3.00 each postage paid<br />

While they last!!! Remaining stock<br />

of die-cut vinyl steam logo bumper<br />

stickers. Please indicate color<br />

wanted, white, black, or red.$3.00<br />

ea.<br />

Books on the web site.<br />

Note: On our web site,<br />

www.ntrak.org, there are now more<br />

complete descriptions of our books,<br />

including the chapter headings.<br />

Some of our smaller books can be<br />

down loaded at no cost.


Back Issues..<strong>NTRAK</strong> <strong>New</strong>sletter back issues from 2004 through $______ 30th Anniv Containers Pair $14.00<br />

2010 are available as free downloads on our web site,<br />

www.ntrak.org. A great variety of N Scale information.<br />

$______ Enter total for T-TRAK items, page 17<br />

Mail to: <strong>NTRAK</strong>, Order Dept.<br />

For Credit Card orders, www.ntrak.org<br />

1629 University Dr. Richardson, TX 75081 Make checks to: <strong>NTRAK</strong>, <strong>Inc</strong>. (US$)<br />

Member # __________ (from mailing<br />

label, we can look it up if it isn’t handy)<br />

Name____________________________________________________________________<br />

Street____________________________________________________________________<br />

State Zip/Postal<br />

Available from <strong>NTRAK</strong>.<br />

$_______ Renew Membership 1 yr/six issues, $14.00 USA;<br />

$17 Cdn.; $20 overseas by air mail.<br />

$_______ Membership, Electronic <strong>New</strong>sletter, Color photos, pdf<br />

download. 1 yr/six issues $5.00 anywhere in the world.<br />

$_______ <strong>New</strong> Membership. 1yr <strong>New</strong>sletter and <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

Manual, $16.00 USA; $19.00 Cdn; $22 0verseas.<br />

$______<strong>The</strong> <strong>NTRAK</strong> Module ‘How-to’ Book. Now 162 pgs<br />

Specs & photos of modules. $16 pp<br />

$______ <strong>NTRAK</strong> Manual. 20 page module specifications.<br />

$2.50 ea pp (Clubs 5 or more, $2 ea)<br />

$______ Throttles for <strong>NTRAK</strong> & Home, $4.25 ea pp<br />

$______ Basic Electronics for N Scale, $3.50 ea pp<br />

$______ N Scale Basics, Revised 40 pgs, $7 ea pp<br />

$______ <strong>New</strong>! Addendum 2012, 88 pgs $18.00 pp<br />

$______ Addendum 2011, 80 pgs $14.00 pp<br />

$_______ Addendum, 2010, 60 pgs $11.00 pp<br />

$_______ Addendum, 2009, 44 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

$_______ Addendum, 2008, 40 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

$_______ Addendum, 2007, 44 pgs $9.00 pp<br />

$_______ N Steam Loco Info Book, 144 pages $20.00 pp.<br />

$_______ “Deal”-N Steam Loco Bk + all 6 addenda $84, 500 pgs<br />

$______ Introduction to Nn3, 16pgs, $6.25.pp.<br />

$______ Narrow Gauge Data Book, 66 pages, 8-1/2x11<br />

softbound, $9.00pp.<br />

$______ Track Plan Set. Track plans for over 100 modules&<br />

special units. Set- $4.00 ea pp<br />

$______ oNeTRAK Manual. 16 pages $3.00 pp<br />

$______ DCC for <strong>NTRAK</strong> Layouts $1.00pp<br />

City___________________________ Prov. __________ Code___________________<br />

Phone (_____) __________________ e-mail address _____________________________<br />

[ ] I have a home N layout. Aprox. size ______ x______ feet.<br />

[ ] I have an <strong>NTRAK</strong> module(s). Total length _________ feet.<br />

Powerpole CONNECTORS <strong>New</strong> Wiring RP Instructions<br />

included with all sets.<br />

[ ] 10 Pairs, does 4 tracks and DC power. Red/Black shells and 2<br />

extra contacts. $12.00 pp.<br />

[ ] 10 Pairs, does 4 tracks and DC power. <strong>NTRAK</strong> colors (R,Y,B,<br />

G & W) and 2 extra contacts. $12.00 pp<br />

[ ] 8 Pairs, <strong>NTRAK</strong> color shells(R,Y,B & W) and 2 extra<br />

contacts. $11.00 pp.<br />

[ ] 2 Pairs, any color combination, specify. See color chart in RP.<br />

One extra contact. $3.00 pp.<br />

Cinch Jones CONNECTORS<br />

[ ] “B” Set: 4 male w/cable clamps & 4 female w/cable clamps,<br />

enough for one module $34.00pp<br />

[ ] “B” Set: 5 male w/cable clamps & 5 female w/cable clamps,<br />

for module w/Mt Div $42.50pp<br />

[ ] 12 or more “B” pairs, $8.50 per pair<br />

[ ] P-302-CCT, Male plug w/ clamp $3.90 ea[ ] S-302-CCT,<br />

Socket w/cable clamp, $4.95 ea<br />

$_______ Clearance Gauge Check bridges & tunnels for double<br />

stack cars. $6.00 ea pp<br />

$______ <strong>NTRAK</strong> Logo Pins Steam or Diesel oval design. Fired<br />

enamel. (.4" x 1.1") $3.75 ea pp. [ ] Steam [ ] Diesel<br />

$______ Cloth Patch Light Blue oval (2-3/4" x 3-1/2") w/<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> “engine logo”. $2.75ea pp.<br />

$______ Metal Button Lt Blue oval (1-3/4" x 2-3/4") w/ <strong>NTRAK</strong><br />

“engine logo”. $1.75 ea pp.<br />

$______ Vinyl Transfer Oval (3" x 5-1/2")<br />

$______“Peel-N-Stick”Steam or diesel <strong>NTRAK</strong> “engine logo”.<br />

White with black logos.. $3.00 ea pp. [ ] Steam [ ] Diesel<br />

$______ Connecting track 6.5" long, 75¢ each, 6 for $4.00 or 24<br />

for $15.00, pp.— Out of Stock, check for details.<br />

$__________TOTAL for items wanted.<br />

Note: All prices “postage paid” (pp). We pay for USA, Canada & overseas surface mail.Priority/Air extra.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 23


Return to:<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Order Department<br />

1629 University Dr.<br />

Richardson, TX 75081<br />

Presorted Standard<br />

US Postage Paid<br />

Permit 163 Paso Robles, CA<br />

MAD City Photo 18: This is shot of Dave Wetherbee’s modules.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are two 4’ modules that comprise a well detailed country scene.<br />

<strong>NTRAK</strong> Page 24

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!