Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
David,
Thanks very much, sorry you had to pass on the bad news. Hopefully he’s up and around soon. Just dropped him a get well note. Ian is a trooper. All those years of playing Santa makes him have to had to deal with just about everything I would imagine.
Jeff
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On Aug 19, 2022, at 12:07 PM, David J Wynne <david.j.wynne@...> wrote:
? Friends,
I have just had news that our Australian friend, Ian, is in hospital with a second TIA (mini-stroke). I'm sure that you will all join with me in wishing him well. He has been trooper all his life, never giving up.
Regards
David J Wynne, Dublin, Ireland
On Fri, 19 Aug 2022 at 06:17, Jeffrey Reynolds < Cteno4@...> wrote: Ian,
Yes you don’t want standard canvas ones, you want “wood canvas”. While a well gessoed canvas is pretty hard, doubt it would work well for a module base!
The 30x40 would not work well as the tracks are on the 30cm dimension so it would be a very deep over the usual centerline module at 40cm deep.
Also you will have 310mm of track on 300mm wide module so you will end up with 1cm gap between the modules which may start to get big. The 12”x12” wood canvases work out to 305mm modules so only a 5mm gap between them (or like 3mm with a standard module).
Cheers,
Jeff On Aug 18, 2022, at 11:23 PM, Ian <ilox11@...> wrote:
? Hi Jeff, I did some local research for the Australian scene following your suggestion?and found these boards that might be suitable as the base for T-TRAK Modules: Prices are in Australian Dollars.
?
Product Code : DB1042 $10.00 Art Canvas, 30x40cm, 4cm
?
Artist Canvas Panel 3pk. 30 x 30 x 2.5cm. 1.7 Thickness, Product Code: DG1314 $20.00
My Choice (because of the materials):
Wood Artist Canvas, 40x30cm Product Code: DG857 $12.00?
[NOTE: ALL WOOD no canvas, "Wood Artist Canvas" is the brand name]
"100% Australian owned and operated, Cheap as Chips started in 1985 with a store in Morphett Vale South Australia and have since grown into a company with 40+ stores, creating local jobs in regional and metropolitan SA, VIC & NSW. You can see our?full list of stores and their locations?."
As well as ordering just about anything through their Online store. They have a good selection of Art canvas but the other packs don't fit within the standard T-TRAK Module range eg Oval, too wide, not wide enough.
?
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Friends,
I have just had news that our Australian friend, Ian, is in hospital with a second TIA (mini-stroke). I'm sure that you will all join with me in wishing him well. He has been trooper all his life, never giving up.
Regards
David J Wynne, Dublin, Ireland
On Fri, 19 Aug 2022 at 06:17, Jeffrey Reynolds < Cteno4@...> wrote: Ian,
Yes you don’t want standard canvas ones, you want “wood canvas”. While a well gessoed canvas is pretty hard, doubt it would work well for a module base!
The 30x40 would not work well as the tracks are on the 30cm dimension so it would be a very deep over the usual centerline module at 40cm deep.
Also you will have 310mm of track on 300mm wide module so you will end up with 1cm gap between the modules which may start to get big. The 12”x12” wood canvases work out to 305mm modules so only a 5mm gap between them (or like 3mm with a standard module).
Cheers,
Jeff On Aug 18, 2022, at 11:23 PM, Ian <ilox11@...> wrote:
? Hi Jeff, I did some local research for the Australian scene following your suggestion?and found these boards that might be suitable as the base for T-TRAK Modules: Prices are in Australian Dollars.
?
Product Code : DB1042 $10.00 Art Canvas, 30x40cm, 4cm
?
Artist Canvas Panel 3pk. 30 x 30 x 2.5cm. 1.7 Thickness, Product Code: DG1314 $20.00
My Choice (because of the materials):
Wood Artist Canvas, 40x30cm Product Code: DG857 $12.00?
[NOTE: ALL WOOD no canvas, "Wood Artist Canvas" is the brand name]
"100% Australian owned and operated, Cheap as Chips started in 1985 with a store in Morphett Vale South Australia and have since grown into a company with 40+ stores, creating local jobs in regional and metropolitan SA, VIC & NSW. You can see our?full list of stores and their locations?."
As well as ordering just about anything through their Online store. They have a good selection of Art canvas but the other packs don't fit within the standard T-TRAK Module range eg Oval, too wide, not wide enough.
?
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Paul,
Yes small difference that I think may actually be visually useful! I just received four 9”x12” for $15 to experiment with.
Yes I was trounced about every time I brought up the 3 bold idea for the last like 15 years! No issues at all with three bold design. You would need really, really heavy structure on the back corner even on a 2x 13” deep module to tip it. On a 1x it would need to be a brick! I’ll do the experiment here and see how much weight a 1x module can take on the back corner to put all this to rest.
It really is so much easier to level things and of course 25% less work and parts. But that’s my training kicking in to follow these paths….
No we have some plans for some junction modules here for first an L then a T. I’ll need to look at the junction to see the best leveling solution when I have it built and how it lays out on tables.
We have been using corners that have 3 leveling bolts. Two are on the front face about 40% in from the front corner and third in the very back corner. Again simpler leveling as corners are the worst at time jiggering with to level with 4.
An interesting concept I’ve been thinking of doing at a show here is to put the tables double wide and do a ring of modules that have the sides separated by 2 singles so it’s more of a big donut instead of the back to back modules in a tight loop down a single width of tables. Japanese Ttrak does this a lot and they have modules that also run the track down the center of the modules like a freemo. They like letting the modules go more freeform down the center of a ring of tables rather than the narrow single corridor loops we do here in the us.
The last thing I love is the flipping S modules that send the tracks running to the back side of modules so you can flip modules around to the backsides of the modules and require modules to be turned around. One of our club members made a set of these and they are quite fun to push the scene to the front and the trains behind things instead of in front. It’s a nice switch and makes the trains disappear for a bit which is always good.
It’s all about being creative with Ttrak.
Cheers,
Jeff
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On Aug 18, 2022, at 10:33 PM, PaulMmn <PaulMmn@...> wrote:
?Jeff--
I like it! 12" is only .2" less than the 'official' module base-- and that's really only a 'recommended practice' anyway!
And the box + a piece of foam and you're ready for scenery!
As far as legs are concerned-- I made a comment on Facebook asking why we use 4 legs anyway, and suggested that 3 legs are enough. I was trounced upon by people who didn't like my suggestion. Thank you and your group for using 3 legs!
Have you had any issues with overloading a back corner with too much scenery, requiring conter-balancing on other corners?
As far as 3 legs are concerned, I believe that many junction modules already exist with only 3 legs-- especially since making a corner with junction modules requires at least one junction to float one corner over The Abyss at the edge of the tables!
Keep pushing the wood boxes!
--Paul E Musselman
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Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Ian,
Yes you don’t want standard canvas ones, you want “wood canvas”. While a well gessoed canvas is pretty hard, doubt it would work well for a module base!
The 30x40 would not work well as the tracks are on the 30cm dimension so it would be a very deep over the usual centerline module at 40cm deep.
Also you will have 310mm of track on 300mm wide module so you will end up with 1cm gap between the modules which may start to get big. The 12”x12” wood canvases work out to 305mm modules so only a 5mm gap between them (or like 3mm with a standard module).
Cheers,
Jeff
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Show quoted text
On Aug 18, 2022, at 11:23 PM, Ian <ilox11@...> wrote:
? Hi Jeff, I did some local research for the Australian scene following your suggestion?and found these boards that might be suitable as the base for T-TRAK Modules: Prices are in Australian Dollars.
?
Product Code : DB1042 $10.00 Art Canvas, 30x40cm, 4cm
?
Artist Canvas Panel 3pk. 30 x 30 x 2.5cm. 1.7 Thickness, Product Code: DG1314 $20.00
My Choice (because of the materials):
Wood Artist Canvas, 40x30cm Product Code: DG857 $12.00?
[NOTE: ALL WOOD no canvas, "Wood Artist Canvas" is the brand name]
"100% Australian owned and operated, Cheap as Chips started in 1985 with a store in Morphett Vale South Australia and have since grown into a company with 40+ stores, creating local jobs in regional and metropolitan SA, VIC & NSW. You can see our?full list of stores and their locations?."
As well as ordering just about anything through their Online store. They have a good selection of Art canvas but the other packs don't fit within the standard T-TRAK Module range eg Oval, too wide, not wide enough.
?
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Gracious me, Todd Blose. I don't think they would accept me as a Member.
My Layout of modules will include:
Fleischmann: Rack-rail track. Edelweis rack-rail locos and carriages.
Minitrix: Decouplers.
PECO: Main (concrete) and Branch (timber) lines. There is no electrical nor physical connection between the Main Lines and the Branch Lines.
Tomix: All Turnouts and the track at the Canal Wharf.
BRAWA Funicular: Stuttgart Forest cable-hauled cars on a hand-laid track built to Nn3 gauge. With English outline stations at the top and bottom of the Line.
Scalescenes: Every piece of structure including Stations, Tunnels, Bridges, and narrowboats on the canals (except for a Wharf crane or two) will be from the UK Outline and made in card.
The 2 rack lines will climb to 160mm high above the T-Trak lines and one line will have a 19% grade.
The modules made and planned so far will be 1 of 835mm x 930mm, 3 or 4 of 400x 620mm, and T-track compliant.?
All of this will fully comply with Rule #1 and all trackage will be non-KATO except where the modules join.?I think this will be too divergent for that Club to even consider, maybe there will be others who feel that too but this layout will demonstrate the Variety possible within the T-TRAK genre.
?
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Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Hi Jeff, I did some local research for the Australian scene following your suggestion?and found these boards that might be suitable as the base for T-TRAK Modules: Prices are in Australian Dollars.
?
Product Code : DB1042 $10.00 Art Canvas, 30x40cm, 4cm
?
Artist Canvas Panel 3pk. 30 x 30 x 2.5cm. 1.7 Thickness, Product Code: DG1314 $20.00
My Choice (because of the materials):
Wood Artist Canvas, 40x30cm Product Code: DG857 $12.00?
[NOTE: ALL WOOD no canvas, "Wood Artist Canvas" is the brand name]
"100% Australian owned and operated, Cheap as Chips started in 1985 with a store in Morphett Vale South Australia and have since grown into a company with 40+ stores, creating local jobs in regional and metropolitan SA, VIC & NSW. You can see our?full list of stores and their locations?."
As well as ordering just about anything through their Online store. They have a good selection of Art canvas but the other packs don't fit within the standard T-TRAK Module range eg Oval, too wide, not wide enough.
?
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Jeff--
I like it! 12" is only .2" less than the 'official' module base--
and that's really only a 'recommended practice' anyway!
And the box + a piece of foam and you're ready for scenery!
As far as legs are concerned-- I made a comment on Facebook asking why we use 4 legs anyway, and suggested that 3 legs are enough. I was trounced upon by people who didn't like my suggestion. Thank you and your group for using 3 legs!
Have you had any issues with overloading a back corner with too much scenery, requiring conter-balancing on other corners?
As far as 3 legs are concerned, I believe that many junction modules already exist with only 3 legs-- especially since making a corner with junction modules requires at least one junction to float one corner over The Abyss at the edge of the tables!
Keep pushing the wood boxes!
--Paul E Musselman
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Sounds like fun. We used to join to groups together at a local show. Our leader was Terry Nathan. We missed him when he passed.
Locally, there is another club, but in my area there was no interest. Maybe now that I am gone, T-Trak will grow.
I do miss it. But no transportation to get to the show, even if they give us our space back.
I got my best in show at the Roanoke Convention. Met my friend there. We are both from Texas.
He is the only one who came to see me when I was bedridden.
Enjoy dreaming and building your modules with scenery.
Oh, by the way, when the National professional show came to San Antonio, it was me who came up with the idea, got the space. Others took over, and we put the then largest T-Trak layout ever put together. I think it was two miles. I am not sure. We had a five star, and lots of fun.
When I first exhibited at their Houston show, I had one photographer that spent over one hour taking pictures of my Circus layout.
Howard
Howard L. Young
www.AYMdepot.com
Fiesta Medals, Lapel Pins, and Challenge Coins
210-542-6121
Veteran owned
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On Aug 18, 2022, at 5:32 PM, Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...> wrote:
?Howard,
I’m here in the Washington DC area and we have our little Japanese model train club of usually about a dozen members. We have a few active Ttrak groups in the area as well in Baltimore and northern va, so lots of Ttrak in the area.
Wow, that’s one of the biggest continuous scenes I’ve heard of! I’ve seen one end loops like 6-8 feet long that are continuous, but nothing that long, but I usually don’t make it to big annual shows.
Sorry to hear of the health issues, never fun to have to give up a hobby like that. Maybe focus into just doing small hyper detailed modules for fun. You big shot sounds like it’s a lot to transport and deal with. Finding a good home is hard. We had one member move back overseas a long time back and he luckily was able to sell his excellent loop of about 10 modules to another club member. He actually returned a few years later for two years and built 4 corners and two doubles and sold them to the club at the cost of all the materials/buildings and that was the start of a club owned loop we can take to all shows and just add to with what ever shows up and not the tedious and nerve wracking will we have 4 corner actually show up!
I have a couple of ideas for some longer scenes I want to try. One member has a design set up for a peninsula single track loop off the outside line that would be a spirited away anime theme big scene. We also prototyped out a very deep module for a valley scene that would hang between two tables.
Cheers
Jeff
On Aug 18, 2022, at 6:18 PM, Howard Young <howardly13@...> wrote:
Jeff
Where is your location. I am 20 miles East of San Antonio, Texas.
I like what you are saying. I have a Circus layout, having a six foot module Carnival plus a six inch continuation on the adjoining modules, on either side. My Circus parade includes around 10 feet of City scene behind the parade. I have thousands of people in the display. With my yard, I have 22’ total display, plus the end cap, which is still under construction. At shows, I used to put temporary buildings on the end cap.
When the display was only 9 feet, I won best in show at the US National Train Show.
I also have about 20 feet of modules with each having its own theme.
Regretfully, because of health reasons, I have put my entire collection up for sale. The first person who I talked to. He asked me almost a year if I was interested in selling. He is a great Ttracker and goes to lots of shows. Everyone loves his hi there how you doing good have you gotten any offers yet too good anything with considerate good well I fell again yesterday I fell today and I got an a I’m not getting enough Italian give me all my dear daughter whatever it was supposed to say granddaughter in law
Howard
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Howard,
I’m here in the Washington DC area and we have our little Japanese model train club of usually about a dozen members. We have a few active Ttrak groups in the area as well in Baltimore and northern va, so lots of Ttrak in the area.
Wow, that’s one of the biggest continuous scenes I’ve heard of! I’ve seen one end loops like 6-8 feet long that are continuous, but nothing that long, but I usually don’t make it to big annual shows.
Sorry to hear of the health issues, never fun to have to give up a hobby like that. Maybe focus into just doing small hyper detailed modules for fun. You big shot sounds like it’s a lot to transport and deal with. Finding a good home is hard. We had one member move back overseas a long time back and he luckily was able to sell his excellent loop of about 10 modules to another club member. He actually returned a few years later for two years and built 4 corners and two doubles and sold them to the club at the cost of all the materials/buildings and that was the start of a club owned loop we can take to all shows and just add to with what ever shows up and not the tedious and nerve wracking will we have 4 corner actually show up!
I have a couple of ideas for some longer scenes I want to try. One member has a design set up for a peninsula single track loop off the outside line that would be a spirited away anime theme big scene. We also prototyped out a very deep module for a valley scene that would hang between two tables.
Cheers
Jeff
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On Aug 18, 2022, at 6:18 PM, Howard Young <howardly13@...> wrote:
Jeff
Where is your location. I am 20 miles East of San Antonio, Texas.
I like what you are saying. I have a Circus layout, having a six foot module Carnival plus a six inch continuation on the adjoining modules, on either side. My Circus parade includes around 10 feet of City scene behind the parade. I have thousands of people in the display. With my yard, I have 22’ total display, plus the end cap, which is still under construction. At shows, I used to put temporary buildings on the end cap.
When the display was only 9 feet, I won best in show at the US National Train Show.
I also have about 20 feet of modules with each having its own theme.
Regretfully, because of health reasons, I have put my entire collection up for sale. The first person who I talked to. He asked me almost a year if I was interested in selling. He is a great Ttracker and goes to lots of shows. Everyone loves his hi there how you doing good have you gotten any offers yet too good anything with considerate good well I fell again yesterday I fell today and I got an a I’m not getting enough Italian give me all my dear daughter whatever it was supposed to say granddaughter in law
Howard
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Jeff
Where is your location. I am 20 miles East of San Antonio, Texas.?
I like what you are saying. I have a Circus layout, having a six foot module Carnival plus a six inch continuation on the adjoining modules, on either side. My Circus parade includes around 10 feet of City scene behind the parade. I have thousands of people in the display. With my yard, I have 22’ total display, plus the end cap, which is still under construction. At shows, I used to put temporary buildings on the end cap.?
When the display was only 9 feet, I won best in show at the US National Train Show.?
I also have about 20 feet of modules with each having its own theme.?
Regretfully, because of health reasons, I have put my entire collection up for sale. The first person who I talked to. He asked me almost a year if I was interested in selling. He is a great Ttracker and goes to lots of shows. Everyone loves his hi there how you doing good have you gotten any offers yet too good anything with considerate good well I fell again yesterday I fell today and I got an a I’m not getting enough Italian give me all my dear daughter whatever it was supposed to say granddaughter in law Howard
Howard L. Young www.AYMdepot.com Fiesta Medals, Lapel Pins, and Challenge Coins 210-542-6121 Veteran owned
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On Aug 18, 2022, at 4:02 PM, Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...> wrote:
? Todd,
Ttrak came about to allow maximum flexibility on many fronts. The ability to do totally different scenes module to module or a whole giant scene across multiple modules. For the most part clubs out there allow folks do what they want to, a few have restriction on place (we are sort of one of the few clubs out there that are pretty specialized, but we’ve never had to cross the bridge of a non Japanese Ttrak scene as non one has put one forward yet!) but usually most folks do local or national, but I’ve seen many clubs have a very wide variety of places, themes and period modules. Bigger shows as well will have a wide variety. It’s the beauty of Ttrak as looking up close to a module it’s easy to get the viewer to focus in if there’s some decent scene details in there and thus the viewer can be happy going down the row and getting a bunch of fun scenes to take in and is not concerned as much on the overall “layout” view.?
I use to be more concerned with the over all view and the issues of scene cacophony, and most of my early ttrak was the old standard 25mm streetcar that was more of a sectional layout with an overall larger scene spread over a bunch of modules and between the two sides with full depth modules. But as I’ve watched the public view our 33mm Ttrak modules, which is much more varied in scenes, I’ve come not be so concerned. Also why I don’t really mind the gap with 12” modules as I think it will help even more to set each scene a little better, while separating discords of module face finishes, heights, etc (which really stand out when butted right up next to each other—this is an old design trick go gap different surfaces when they abut and clash).
It’s been funny as our very public shows (general public not train shows) folks will take in a loop of our Ttrak and won’t notice right away that it’s actually a bunch of modules that have their own scenes on them and they are not designed as a whole “layout” other than the tracks (which I think is part of tricking their brain the scene is all one with the trains and tracks traversing all the scenes). We have no club scene rules at all, it’s all what just pops into someone’s head. We do tend to try to layout similar scenes together so we don’t go urban-rural-urban-rural (although that can happen at times in japan!), but we don’t have any modules designed to go next to any others and our layouts change with each setup depending on what modules have shown up.
I think also that we do Japanese scenes here in the US gets us another benefit with our viewers as it’s novel and new to them so the minds eye tends to forgive some in some ways as it’s all new and/or a surprise. Local scenes to the viewers can play off the other end of the mind’s eye with its visual memory and if you choose the right visual details for the scene the minds eye will fill in many details not on the module from its visual memory. I love this end of modeling when someone is sure they saw a detail that was not there!
I completely agree if there are a set of modules that a scene spans then having good scenery gap fillers is needed and good. I have a few multi module ideas where I will be making custom modules that mate in a way that give no gap and try to hide what little line there is in the scenery design (ie edge of a roadway) or if necessary a drop in piece.
Cheers,
Jeff On Aug 18, 2022, at 9:16 AM, Todd Blose via groups.io <bloseclan@...> wrote:
?
There is reportedly one TTRAK club, perhaps more, that require members to model a particular line, year and month.? I am told the folks in the UK don't like the change in scenery as well, which is one of the reasons I have seen no TTRAK at MRR shows I have been to there.? the European Train Enthusiasts only model European trains, mainly northern Europe (mostly Germany from what I have seen) and thus have (non-TTRAK) modules that seem to blend together.? The? Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC?only model Japanese?landscape, so theirs merge together.? One tends to model what one either knows or likes, as in the Japan Rail Modelers.? Thus, if one lives in Japan, that is what you will most likely model.? Overlay a map of Germany, the UK, Japan, etc. over the US and you will see, from US standards, anyone modelling these types of countries are modelling what would be "regional" areas in the US.? Modules representing the Northeast areas of Maine will look different than one representing the Northwest, or the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the EL Paso, Texas area.? A coastal scene from either of our three main coasts, Hawaii, or Alaska will all look very different.? Locally there may not be too many issues with "scenery disfunction".? An example is the NMRA convention where other than my two modules the rest from a local club.? Audience members recognized many of the local scenes.? A problem with a big show is folks with different interests will participate, thus resulting in different scenery.? An organizer, assuming they know the "character" of the modules, could group like ones together.? In my case I have two triples that represent a German Star Wars Museum, a theme park idea.? I hide the break between modules with vegetation placed after the modules are hooked together. Anything is possible. Continue having FUN!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 2:15 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Actually design wise when things are different as they can be module to module (both module scene as well as face height, color, etc) a bit of separation helps for the eye. Pushing anything dissimilar butt up against each other can make the eye go search why things are dissimilar and become a distraction.
Been doing the single center back leg, even on double modules for years and no stability issues ever. No one ever leans on a module in our experience. If someone where to go that Rambo I expect there would be much ore issues with lateral displacement even with 4 legs. Really has been a lot simpler and easier using 3 legs and logically it makes a lot more sense in the leveling than 4.
Japanese scenes lend themselves perfectly to Ttrak. I talked with Lee about this a long time back and it was part of her inspiration at JAM that created Ttrak in her head! They were bringing ntrak to japan, but she quickly saw the Japanese scenes lended themselves so much better to small areas and the home space restrictions and transportation pointed to having to use smaller modules. Lee had a very, very good scene deign mind. I had such wonderful conversations with her in those early years. I miss that.
Cheers,
Jeff?
On Aug 17, 2022, at 9:20 PM, Dave <db.mcmorran@...> wrote:
?Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Todd,
Ttrak came about to allow maximum flexibility on many fronts. The ability to do totally different scenes module to module or a whole giant scene across multiple modules. For the most part clubs out there allow folks do what they want to, a few have restriction on place (we are sort of one of the few clubs out there that are pretty specialized, but we’ve never had to cross the bridge of a non Japanese Ttrak scene as non one has put one forward yet!) but usually most folks do local or national, but I’ve seen many clubs have a very wide variety of places, themes and period modules. Bigger shows as well will have a wide variety. It’s the beauty of Ttrak as looking up close to a module it’s easy to get the viewer to focus in if there’s some decent scene details in there and thus the viewer can be happy going down the row and getting a bunch of fun scenes to take in and is not concerned as much on the overall “layout” view.?
I use to be more concerned with the over all view and the issues of scene cacophony, and most of my early ttrak was the old standard 25mm streetcar that was more of a sectional layout with an overall larger scene spread over a bunch of modules and between the two sides with full depth modules. But as I’ve watched the public view our 33mm Ttrak modules, which is much more varied in scenes, I’ve come not be so concerned. Also why I don’t really mind the gap with 12” modules as I think it will help even more to set each scene a little better, while separating discords of module face finishes, heights, etc (which really stand out when butted right up next to each other—this is an old design trick go gap different surfaces when they abut and clash).
It’s been funny as our very public shows (general public not train shows) folks will take in a loop of our Ttrak and won’t notice right away that it’s actually a bunch of modules that have their own scenes on them and they are not designed as a whole “layout” other than the tracks (which I think is part of tricking their brain the scene is all one with the trains and tracks traversing all the scenes). We have no club scene rules at all, it’s all what just pops into someone’s head. We do tend to try to layout similar scenes together so we don’t go urban-rural-urban-rural (although that can happen at times in japan!), but we don’t have any modules designed to go next to any others and our layouts change with each setup depending on what modules have shown up.
I think also that we do Japanese scenes here in the US gets us another benefit with our viewers as it’s novel and new to them so the minds eye tends to forgive some in some ways as it’s all new and/or a surprise. Local scenes to the viewers can play off the other end of the mind’s eye with its visual memory and if you choose the right visual details for the scene the minds eye will fill in many details not on the module from its visual memory. I love this end of modeling when someone is sure they saw a detail that was not there!
I completely agree if there are a set of modules that a scene spans then having good scenery gap fillers is needed and good. I have a few multi module ideas where I will be making custom modules that mate in a way that give no gap and try to hide what little line there is in the scenery design (ie edge of a roadway) or if necessary a drop in piece.
Cheers,
Jeff
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On Aug 18, 2022, at 9:16 AM, Todd Blose via groups.io <bloseclan@...> wrote:
?
There is reportedly one TTRAK club, perhaps more, that require members to model a particular line, year and month.? I am told the folks in the UK don't like the change in scenery as well, which is one of the reasons I have seen no TTRAK at MRR shows I have been to there.? the European Train Enthusiasts only model European trains, mainly northern Europe (mostly Germany from what I have seen) and thus have (non-TTRAK) modules that seem to blend together.? The? Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC?only model Japanese?landscape, so theirs merge together.? One tends to model what one either knows or likes, as in the Japan Rail Modelers.? Thus, if one lives in Japan, that is what you will most likely model.? Overlay a map of Germany, the UK, Japan, etc. over the US and you will see, from US standards, anyone modelling these types of countries are modelling what would be "regional" areas in the US.? Modules representing the Northeast areas of Maine will look different than one representing the Northwest, or the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the EL Paso, Texas area.? A coastal scene from either of our three main coasts, Hawaii, or Alaska will all look very different.? Locally there may not be too many issues with "scenery disfunction".? An example is the NMRA convention where other than my two modules the rest from a local club.? Audience members recognized many of the local scenes.? A problem with a big show is folks with different interests will participate, thus resulting in different scenery.? An organizer, assuming they know the "character" of the modules, could group like ones together.? In my case I have two triples that represent a German Star Wars Museum, a theme park idea.? I hide the break between modules with vegetation placed after the modules are hooked together. Anything is possible. Continue having FUN!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 2:15 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Actually design wise when things are different as they can be module to module (both module scene as well as face height, color, etc) a bit of separation helps for the eye. Pushing anything dissimilar butt up against each other can make the eye go search why things are dissimilar and become a distraction.
Been doing the single center back leg, even on double modules for years and no stability issues ever. No one ever leans on a module in our experience. If someone where to go that Rambo I expect there would be much ore issues with lateral displacement even with 4 legs. Really has been a lot simpler and easier using 3 legs and logically it makes a lot more sense in the leveling than 4.
Japanese scenes lend themselves perfectly to Ttrak. I talked with Lee about this a long time back and it was part of her inspiration at JAM that created Ttrak in her head! They were bringing ntrak to japan, but she quickly saw the Japanese scenes lended themselves so much better to small areas and the home space restrictions and transportation pointed to having to use smaller modules. Lee had a very, very good scene deign mind. I had such wonderful conversations with her in those early years. I miss that.
Cheers,
Jeff?
On Aug 17, 2022, at 9:20 PM, Dave <db.mcmorran@...> wrote:
?Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
I already have plans to be there.? Have been the last couple of years, minus covid years, plus a few local shows during my travels.? Will definitely seek you out.? I live in the US and was surprised not to see TTRAK, as it seems to be a perfect fit for the smaller homes with no basements one generally finds in the UK and the Continent.? I believe a TTRAK group from France may be there as well.
Todd
-----Original Message-----
From: Di Tape via groups.io <diane.tape@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 9:50 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Hi?
If you are in the UK on the 10/11 th of September I will be at The International? n gauge show I will have a small T-trak set up on the n gauge society stand, our modules are not era or area or country restricted currently we have? modules? covering the UK in the 40's,60's/70's, 90's, Thomas The Tank? and? under construction modules based in mainland Europe and The USA? so it not a far reflection of the fledgling UK T-trak to say we are restricted, T-trak is only just beginning to take off over here I only know of 3 active groups and a couple of groups talking about T-trak.?
Di
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Hi? If you are in the UK on the 10/11 th of September I will be at The International? n gauge show I will have a small T-trak set up on the n gauge society stand, our modules are not era or area or country restricted currently we have? modules? covering the UK in the 40's,60's/70's, 90's, Thomas The Tank? and? under construction modules based in mainland Europe and The USA? so it not a far reflection of the fledgling UK T-trak to say we are restricted, T-trak is only just beginning to take off over here I only know of 3 active groups and a couple of groups talking about T-trak.? Di
On 18 Aug 2022 13:58, "Todd Blose via groups.io" <bloseclan@...> wrote:
There is reportedly one TTRAK club, perhaps more, that require members to model a particular line, year and month.? I am told the folks in the UK don't like the change in scenery as well, which is one of the reasons I have seen no TTRAK at MRR shows I have been to there.? the European Train Enthusiasts only model European trains, mainly northern Europe (mostly Germany from what I have seen) and thus have (non-TTRAK) modules that seem to blend together.? The? Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC?only model Japanese?landscape, so theirs merge together.? One tends to model what one either knows or likes, as in the Japan Rail Modelers.? Thus, if one lives in Japan, that is what you will most likely model.? Overlay a map of Germany, the UK, Japan, etc. over the US and you will see, from US standards, anyone modelling these types of countries are modelling what would be "regional" areas in the US.? Modules representing the Northeast areas of Maine will look different than one representing the Northwest, or the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the EL Paso, Texas area.? A coastal scene from either of our three main coasts, Hawaii, or Alaska will all look very different.? Locally there may not be too many issues with "scenery disfunction".? An example is the NMRA convention where other than my two modules the rest from a local club.? Audience members recognized many of the local scenes.? A problem with a big show is folks with different interests will participate, thus resulting in different scenery.? An organizer, assuming they know the "character" of the modules, could group like ones together.? In my case I have two triples that represent a German Star Wars Museum, a theme park idea.? I hide the break between modules with vegetation placed after the modules are hooked together. Anything is possible. Continue having FUN!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 2:15 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Actually design wise when things are different as they can be module to module (both module scene as well as face height, color, etc) a bit of separation helps for the eye. Pushing anything dissimilar butt up against each other can make the eye go search why things are dissimilar and become a distraction.
Been doing the single center back leg, even on double modules for years and no stability issues ever. No one ever leans on a module in our experience. If someone where to go that Rambo I expect there would be much ore issues with lateral displacement even with 4 legs. Really has been a lot simpler and easier using 3 legs and logically it makes a lot more sense in the leveling than 4.
Japanese scenes lend themselves perfectly to Ttrak. I talked with Lee about this a long time back and it was part of her inspiration at JAM that created Ttrak in her head! They were bringing ntrak to japan, but she quickly saw the Japanese scenes lended themselves so much better to small areas and the home space restrictions and transportation pointed to having to use smaller modules. Lee had a very, very good scene deign mind. I had such wonderful conversations with her in those early years. I miss that.
Cheers,
Jeff?
On Aug 17, 2022, at 9:20 PM, Dave <db.mcmorran@...> wrote:
?Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Where can I find UK TTRAK displayed in the UK?
-----Original Message-----
From: Di Tape via groups.io <diane.tape@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 4:34 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
In the UK I have developed a cheap and cheerful? simple method of building modules making use of DIY shed cutting services a double module works out at around? ?15 or 18 dollars US
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
There is reportedly one TTRAK club, perhaps more, that require members to model a particular line, year and month.? I am told the folks in the UK don't like the change in scenery as well, which is one of the reasons I have seen no TTRAK at MRR shows I have been to there.? the European Train Enthusiasts only model European trains, mainly northern Europe (mostly Germany from what I have seen) and thus have (non-TTRAK) modules that seem to blend together.? The? Japan Rail Modelers of Washington DC?only model Japanese?landscape, so theirs merge together.? One tends to model what one either knows or likes, as in the Japan Rail Modelers.? Thus, if one lives in Japan, that is what you will most likely model.? Overlay a map of Germany, the UK, Japan, etc. over the US and you will see, from US standards, anyone modelling these types of countries are modelling what would be "regional" areas in the US.? Modules representing the Northeast areas of Maine will look different than one representing the Northwest, or the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the EL Paso, Texas area.? A coastal scene from either of our three main coasts, Hawaii, or Alaska will all look very different.? Locally there may not be too many issues with "scenery disfunction".? An example is the NMRA convention where other than my two modules the rest from a local club.? Audience members recognized many of the local scenes.? A problem with a big show is folks with different interests will participate, thus resulting in different scenery.? An organizer, assuming they know the "character" of the modules, could group like ones together.? In my case I have two triples that represent a German Star Wars Museum, a theme park idea.? I hide the break between modules with vegetation placed after the modules are hooked together. Anything is possible. Continue having FUN!
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thu, Aug 18, 2022 2:15 am
Subject: Re: [T-TrakGlobal] Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Actually design wise when things are different as they can be module to module (both module scene as well as face height, color, etc) a bit of separation helps for the eye. Pushing anything dissimilar butt up against each other can make the eye go search why things are dissimilar and become a distraction.
Been doing the single center back leg, even on double modules for years and no stability issues ever. No one ever leans on a module in our experience. If someone where to go that Rambo I expect there would be much ore issues with lateral displacement even with 4 legs. Really has been a lot simpler and easier using 3 legs and logically it makes a lot more sense in the leveling than 4.
Japanese scenes lend themselves perfectly to Ttrak. I talked with Lee about this a long time back and it was part of her inspiration at JAM that created Ttrak in her head! They were bringing ntrak to japan, but she quickly saw the Japanese scenes lended themselves so much better to small areas and the home space restrictions and transportation pointed to having to use smaller modules. Lee had a very, very good scene deign mind. I had such wonderful conversations with her in those early years. I miss that.
Cheers,
Jeff?
On Aug 17, 2022, at 9:20 PM, Dave <db.mcmorran@...> wrote:
?Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
In the UK I have developed a cheap and cheerful? simple method of building modules making use of DIY shed cutting services a double module works out at around? ?15 or 18 dollars US
On 18 Aug 2022 08:25, Jeffrey Reynolds <Cteno4@...> wrote: Rich,
Thanks, are you going to sell these commercially?
The holes I was talking about were holes in some sort of block for the leveling bolt threaded inserts.
My main thrust here is to find an alternative for newbies that is very very simple and inexpensive. Many of the newbies I talk with are very hesitant to having assemble much and cost is an issue to get started.
Jeff On Aug 17, 2022, at 6:26 PM, richard via groups.io <yenko_stinger65@...> wrote:
?I can make some single modules and looking at corner ones also. hat other holes do you want/need other than the wire hole for the track? These are made from 1/8 lite ply and weight under 12 oz. so light weight. Waiting on the new pricing on the plywood as goes up each order, but looking like around 20 for a single without track and 30 with. <top.jpg> <bottom.jpg> rich
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Rich,
Thanks, are you going to sell these commercially?
The holes I was talking about were holes in some sort of block for the leveling bolt threaded inserts.
My main thrust here is to find an alternative for newbies that is very very simple and inexpensive. Many of the newbies I talk with are very hesitant to having assemble much and cost is an issue to get started.
Jeff
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Aug 17, 2022, at 6:26 PM, richard via groups.io <yenko_stinger65@...> wrote:
?I can make some single modules and looking at corner ones also. hat other holes do you want/need other than the wire hole for the track? These are made from 1/8 lite ply and weight under 12 oz. so light weight. Waiting on the new pricing on the plywood as goes up each order, but looking like around 20 for a single without track and 30 with. <top.jpg> <bottom.jpg> rich
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Dave,
Thanks for the thoughts.
Actually design wise when things are different as they can be module to module (both module scene as well as face height, color, etc) a bit of separation helps for the eye. Pushing anything dissimilar butt up against each other can make the eye go search why things are dissimilar and become a distraction.
Been doing the single center back leg, even on double modules for years and no stability issues ever. No one ever leans on a module in our experience. If someone where to go that Rambo I expect there would be much ore issues with lateral displacement even with 4 legs. Really has been a lot simpler and easier using 3 legs and logically it makes a lot more sense in the leveling than 4.
Japanese scenes lend themselves perfectly to Ttrak. I talked with Lee about this a long time back and it was part of her inspiration at JAM that created Ttrak in her head! They were bringing ntrak to japan, but she quickly saw the Japanese scenes lended themselves so much better to small areas and the home space restrictions and transportation pointed to having to use smaller modules. Lee had a very, very good scene deign mind. I had such wonderful conversations with her in those early years. I miss that.
Cheers,
Jeff?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Aug 17, 2022, at 9:20 PM, Dave <db.mcmorran@...> wrote:
?Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
Jeff,
I like this idea a lot as a starting point. When I get a chance, I'll check out what's available at some local shops.
3mm packing strips down the sides and across the top at one end would be fairly easy for those who don't want the larger gap. That might look a bit ugly but the ends don't get seen when you join two modules together and paint it will make it hardly noticeable especially if black. The ugly join on the top gets covered with scenic material.
I have experimented a bit with just the one leg at the back. Mathematically, 3 points defines the plane so is all that is needed and best if the front legs are immediately below the centre of the tracks. My biggest concern was that it is a bit flimsy if anyone leans slightly on the back of the module, the 4 corner legs makes it more stable though nobody should lean on these at all.
If I knew then what I know now that I could have known then, I probably would have started modelling Japanese. Japanese scenery looks very impressive because busy, diverse scenery is typical of Japan but I hadn't yet been to Japan when I started modelling.
Regards, Dave Mc.
|
Re: Wooden Art Boards/Canvas for Modules
I can make some single modules and looking at corner ones also. hat other holes do you want/need other than the wire hole for the track?
These are made from 1/8 lite ply and weight under 12 oz. so light weight. Waiting on the new pricing on the plywood as goes up each order,
but looking like around 20 for a single without track and 30 with.
rich
|
Ian
Di Tape