03/10/08

Homogeneous Plan & Concepts to Guide Us

Webster’s defines the word homogeneous as: Of the same or similar nature or kind; uniform throughout in composition.  In other words, all of the modules built to these specifications will not only be electrically uniform and physically compatible with each other, but will appear as if they were all built by one person or a group working together. They will not appear as a disjointed or a patchwork collection of dioramas.

In order to obtain this seamless appearance, first a few ground rules have to be set. By following these ground rules up front, we can save countless hours of frustration later. Remember: these are the rules the Omaha N-Trak uses. If you are modeling in another area of the country, you may need to change this slightly to suit your surroundings.

This document defines Omaha N-Trak club standards and is intended to serve as a club directive having been formally adopted by a majority vote of club members on October 21, 2007.

Definitions of Standard (ST), Recommended Practices (RP), and Options (OP)

While we are on the subject of definitions, let’s cover a topic that will show up throughout these pages.

STANDARDS are exactly that, standards. They are not to be changed, quibbled with, or adjusted. They are absolutes and must not be executed any differently than they are written. An example is the exterior dimensions of a 4 ft. straight module are 24 x 48 inches with the end face at least 3 ½ inches tall. Period.

RECOMMENDED PRACTICES, however, are not absolutes. These are methods and techniques that we have found through trial and error, and experience, work best for us. As with the straight module example given above, the STANDARD is: the module must be 48” long. The RECOMMENDED PRACTICE is to have the long sides be 48 inches and the short sides 22 ½ inches. OR you may choose to make the long sides 46 ½ and the short sides 24 inches. (assuming ¾ inch wood is used, or typical 1x4s). OR you may dovetail the ends, OR even miter cut them. That’s up to you and your cabinetry skills.

Another RECOMMENDED PRACTICE is for construction using clear, #1 pine for a strong, yet lightweight frame.

OPTIONS are alternatives. From time to time we run across an idea that may be useful to some members of the group but not to others. These items are included as suggestions but do not prohibit the module from deployment as long as the STANDARDS are satisfied.

Railroads (RP):

The Omaha N-Trak modules showcase the following railroads:

Union Pacific Railroad

BNSF Railway

KCS Railroad

All of these railroads were active in the Omaha area and all of the modeling done should be based on the geography and practices common to the area at that time.  Although these are the prominent class I railroads operating in the area, any railroad visiting the area will be granted track rites.

Era (RP):

The era selected for modeling by the Omaha N-TRAK is modern day, post 1990, in the area between Boone, Iowa and North Platte, Nebraska during the summer season.  This means all structures, scenery, rolling stock, and automobiles are to reflect this time period. Particular attention should be paid to billboards and automobiles as they can quickly cause a scene to lose its time reference. Due to the numerous fan trips and employ appreciation trips made with old passenger trains and steam we should be able to allow most any train set.

The Prototype (RP):

Modelers are encouraged to model prototype scenes whenever possible based on track work, stations, shops, tunnels, towns, industries, or rural scenes. A scene that looks just like a photo displayed next to it, or a scene that brings a strong memory back to the viewer, can make a tremendous impression. However, don’t forget the target date for modeling. A wonderful model of the Union Station in Omaha would look silly with snow or spring foliage on it with the rest of the layout done in summer foliage.

Appearance (ST):

The club’s intent is to appear as though one person or group working together built the layout. During your planning phase of the module, please keep in mind that we want all modules to look uniform. All these items will be discussed later in the book but for quick reference we are listing them now.

Color standards are:

Ground cover colors center on Woodland Scenics medium green varying lighter or darker except at ends of the module where the medium green needs to blend into the next module

MODULE CONSTRUCTION:

A schematic of NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc's. modular is provided as a reference.  Omaha N-Trak Club standards (ST) must be substituted where applicable.  

MODULE WIDTH:  

The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for module width will be 24 inches minimum.  (OP) Accepted NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. standards do allow for a maximum module width of 36 inches (with an extra 6 inches of module width allowed on the aisle side, on the operators side, or a total of 12 inches added to both sides).  However, use of this allowance for extra module width is discouraged, unless the elected officials of the Omaha N-Trak Club grant specific approval to a club member.

MODULE LENGTH:

The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for module length will be 48 inches.  (OP) Again, NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. has made provisions for modules to be built with varying lengths (2, 4, 6, 8 feet, etc.).  However, this allowance for construction of non-standard module lengths is discouraged, unless the elected officials of the Omaha N-Trak Club grant specific approval to a club member.  For those modules built with lengths greater or less than 4 feet (recognized standard length) a "bridge section" must also be included to bring the module to an appropriate length dimension that is divisible by the accepted 4-foot module length. 

MODULE FRAMING:

The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for module framing will be 1x4 inch wood.  (RP) Using clear, #1 pine will provide a strong, yet lightweight frame. The module will be squared at the corners.  (RP) The module surface will be either ½-inch plywood (five-ply minimum) or will be of 2-inch extruded foam.

MODULE HEIGHT:

The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for module height is 39 1/2 inches.  The 39 1/2 inches (plus or minus 1/2-inch) is measured from the bottom of the PVC pipe cap when adjusted all the way in, to the top of the railheads on the module.  (RP) The leg will be constructed out of 2x2-inch wood. 

MODULE LEVELING:

(ST) A 2-inch PVC pipe cap, fitted with a 5/16-inch diameter, 3-inch bolt, will fit into a tee-nut positioned at the base of the leg and will serve as the module leveling device for the Omaha N-Trak Club.  To accept the tee-nut, a 7/16-inch hole will be drilled in the center of the leg base and will extend at least 3 inches deep into the leg in order to provide a minimum of 2 inches of height adjustment potential. 

MODULE SKYBOARD:

A skyboard (ST) will be fitted to the back of each module and will be 12 inches in height above the module top.  The length of the skyboard will match the length of the module.  The skyboards are to be constructed using suitable, sturdy material.  Skyboards are painted with Lucite Paint, Flemish Blue, #54A-2 satin latex. 

(OP) The skyboard may also have clouds painted into the sky scene, as well as landscape scenes to represent far away land forms.  Additionally, background scenes can be applied to the skyboard, such as those manufactured by Instant Horizons or Back Drop Warehouse. 

PAINTING MODULES:

The Omaha N-Trak will provide the paint for the module surface, as well as the paint for the module frame and legs.  The modules will be painted at scheduled club workdays.

(ST) The module frame and legs are to be painted with non-gloss black paint, and if a fascia is applied to the module, it also must be painted with the same non-gloss black color. 

(ST) Each module surface that is constructed of wood will be painted using a flat earth-tone paint, Lucite Paint, Stoney Fields #416-6 flat latex to seal the wood to prevent moisture penetration, thus reducing module surface warping potential.  (RP) For those modules that have a surface construction using 2-inch extruded foam, a hardened plaster surface must be applied to the foam that will accept the application of paint. 

The same flat earth-toned paint used with wood surface modules will be applied to foam modules.

MODULE SKIRTING:

The Omaha N-Trak Club is responsible for providing the skirt to the club member. Each module will have a fabric skirt that will serve to hid the lower portions of the module from view.  The skirt will be 40 inches in width, by 48 inches in length.  For those modules which exceed 48 inches or are less than 48 inches in length, the skirt width will be adjusted to an appropriate length to allow proper fit over non-standard length modules.  The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for our fabric skirts will be heavy dark blue material, available from___________.

MODULE TRACKWORK STANDARDS:    

MAINLINES TRACKS: 

(ST) The module will have three mainlines.  The first rail (red line) will be centered at the 4-inch mark from the leading edge of the standard module.  The second rail (yellow line) will be centered at the 5½-inch mark from the leading edge of the module. The third rail (blue line) will be centered at the 7-inch mark from the leading edge of the module.

TRACK ORIENTATION: 

The three main lines running across the length of the module are to be straight and will serve as the Omaha N-Trak Club Standard (ST).  There are to be no grade deviations on the main lines, meaning the lines must be completely level.  NTRAK has approved the integration of curves into the module mainlines, but the curves are to be no less than a 24-inch radius, with a higher radius preferred. 

TRACKAGE:

(ST) Code 80 Flex Track is The Omaha N-Trak Club standard and will be used for construction of mainlines on all modules.  Approved track manufactures are Atlas Part # 150-2500, Micro Engineering, Peco, and Kato Unitrack. Club members who wish to use any other brand must obtain approval from the club's elected officials. 

TRACK BALLAST:

(ST) Except for Kato Unitrack, all track will be ballasted with Woodland Scenics fine light gray ballast mix #B74.

MAINLINE TRACK TERMINATION: 

A 2 ½-inch section of Kato Unitrack Conversion Track, Part # 381-200045, is required at each end of the mainlines to help reduce the potential for incurring significant track damage during setup/takedown activities and subsequent module movement.  Additionally, this piece of Kato conversion track will serve to significantly reduce module setup time at club shows.  The piece of Kato conversion will terminate at a point that is 1 7/8 inches away from the each end of the module.

Kato Unitrack Expansion Track, Part # 381-20050, will be used to connect the three mainline tracks together on club modules.

SWITCHES:

To insure complete electrical isolation between the three mainlines, there will be no crossover switches permitted between the three mainline rails. 

If a switch is to be built into the main lines on a module, only the blue line is permitted to have a turnout installed.  (ST) The only switch permitted by The Omaha N-Trak Club on the mainlines utilizing flex track will be Peco Insulfrog #8, Part # 552-1734 (right-hand) and Part # 552-1735 (left-hand).  Any installed switch must be further insolated from the main line by use of Atlas Plastic Rail Joiners, Part # 150-2538, to ensure total isolation of any trackage that is added to the module and falls outside of the mainlines. 

For those modules that use Kato Unitrack Sectional Track instead of flex track, The Omaha N-Trak Club standard (ST) for Kato Unitrack #6 Turnouts are Part # 381-20202 (left-hand) and Part # 381-20203 (right-hand).

ROADBED:

(ST) Cork roadbed manufactured by Midwest Products,Part # 3019 or 3021, will be The Omaha N-Trak Club standard for roadbed.   Except for Kato Unitrack, all track will be mounted on cork roadbed.  The cork roadbed will be positioned on the centerline of each of the main lines.  The cork roadbed will terminate at the end of the mainlines at a point 4 3/8 inches away from each end of the module to allow for the insertion of a piece of 2 ½ -inch Kato Unitrack Conversion Track, Part # 381-20045 to terminate each of the three mainlines at both ends of the module.  Kato Expansion Track, Part # 381-20050, will be used to bridge the gap between modules.

TRACK WIRING:

(ST) The NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. standard for track wiring is either 16 or 18-gauge stranded copper, automotive "zip" wire (Red/Black), speaker wire, or black low-voltage lighting wire with a "rib" molded along one conductor.  The wire run must be continuous (no cuts) to the terminal block and extend the length of the entire module, with an additional 12 inches of wire added to each end of the module for installation of connectors. 

(ST) The module buss wires will terminate on a terminal block, such as Brawa Screw Terminal Strip, Part # 186-2094.  18- to 20-gauge wire (Red/White) bell wire will run from the terminal strip to the mainline tracks.  The red wire will always be connected to the rail that is closest to the front of the module.      

ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MODULES STANDARD:

(ST) Cinch # P-302-CCT connector has been identified for over 30 years as the NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. standard for electrically connecting modules together.  

(ST) When using the Cinch #P-302-CCT connector, the female end of the connector goes on the left-hand end of each main line and the male end of the connector goes on the right-hand end as viewed from the front.  The wide blade on the connector is always connected to the rail closest to the front edge of the module on all three mainlines.  The wire must be soldered to the connector contact points.

(ST) Both the female and male connectors and (RP) wires will be marked with appropriate colored tape (red, yellow, and blue) to show the relationship of connectors to it's associated mainline.

TRACK SUPERINTENDENT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Omaha N-TRAK Club Track Superintendent has the authority to perform random checks on rolling stock and locomotives owned by members to ensure compliance with NTRAK defined standards, as well as any unique club-imposed standards.  For any member-owned rolling stock or locomotives that are not performing to a level of operating expectations, the Track Superintendent has the authority to remove said rolling stock or locomotives from the club layout until appropriate repairs or corrections are made to the offending piece of equipment and can also bar any car or locomotive from being returned to a club event until it is brought up to a reasonable performance condition.

MODULE INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION:

Each module, whether club-owned or individual member-owned, must be inspected by the Omaha N-Trak Club's Track Superintendent and receive his/her certification prior to being included into the club layout to ensure their compliance with club module standards.  At no time will an uncertified module be included in the club layout.