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The fifth private operating session was held on April 3(Sat.), 2004 at the Tower Hall of Edogawa Ward in front of Funabori station, Tokyo Toei Subway Shinjuku Line.
 We, also this time, used only one room. T-trak was composed of a "dog bone"-shaped single-track oval and some experimental ovals such as one with corner modules of radius 100mm or with 33mm spacing "alternative" modules.
As for mainline operation, three ovals for HO scale, one for HO2'6" scale and one for toy train "Pla Rail "were prepared.
T-trak was operated with the help of two dog bone modules since we had only three corner modules, one short for forming an oval.But the ATS device module, being prepared this time, secured a smooth operation.
This ATS device distributes an electricity transmitting equipment for every block section, and has a structure which can be operated with any optional numbers of block sections. It enables us to set up more flexible formation and, compared with the conventional central control device, to avoid embarrassing wrong wiring.
A corner module with a curve of 100mm radius was installed in the experimental oval, and the passage examination of various vehicles was performed on it. As for single vehicle operation, except engines of fixed 3 axles, all vehicles could pass through the curve. On the contrary,interference between a joint and resistance was seen, according to the direction, in the small power unit for "B-train Shorty" of KATO.
Moreover, large-sized articulated vehicles, such as Tokyu 300 type of MODEMO and Enoden 100 type, could not pass through the curve due to the interference of its bodies. But Hiroden 5000 type could do so smoothly.
In terms of connected vehicles, two-axle cars with original couplers could not pass as a whole, and supposedly due to the allowance angle for the couplers to turn, Meitetsu 510 and 520 of MODEMO couldn't either.
In addition, an example of a corner module with 33mm spacing etc. was shown.
Many buildings of TOMIX's "Machinami Collection"(Rows-of-houses collection), put on the market in March, were also carried in. Some were seen on completed modules, and others were used as temporary buildings on many incomplete modules, being appreciated as what can create scenery very easily.
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Various vehicles, such as ready-made products, reconstruction models and scratch-built works, also appeared this time. The renewal car of Toden 7000 type (without air-conditioning equippment), which was just put on the market, also showed up and guesses were exchanged about the position of a side board.
A climbing experiment by using combination slope tracks was also performed.
As for small vehicles, the balance between the torque of a motor and the weight of the car, and whether the vehicle is quipped with rubber tires or not, has much influence on the performance of climing up gradients. Therefore, one kind of MODEMO tram could climb up pulling a trailer, while other kind of MODEMO could barely do so even if it carries no trailers. Moreover, a problem of vehicle's skirt interferring with rails at the entrance of a slope was also pointed out.
It has been customary for the participants to swap "bus collections" and books useful for modeling, which was quite brisk also this time. Many types of blind-package models are expected to be put into sale and items for swapping will not be exhausted.
Comments
Although we were forced to operate T-trak in dogbone shape due to the shortage of a corner module, we still enjoyed smooth operation thanks to the ATC module device developed by Mr. Yagyu. Mr. Oritani carried in an experimental corner module for an examination of the 100mm radius, a transition module for 33mm spacing, etc., and performed test run of various vehicles etc.
In the meeting, we discussed how to handle modules with 33mm spacing and single track modules, the dimensional standard and the regulation towards the forthcoming JAM Convention held this summer, etc.
On condition that there is no trouble in a run and a pair of transition modules for 25mmm spacing modules are prepared, we temporarily agreed that no special regulation about change of track spacing will be needed.
As for measurements, referring to the standard overseas is recommended. We basically agreed to regard outer-track-only module as the equivalent of the single-track standard about corner modules. We also agreed that electric feeder codes must be attached for both direction or for outer track direction, obliging builders to indicate it by a red label.
About the treatment of B-train Shorty, a proposal was made that, at the JAM Convention, we prepare an independent oval track for it and perform the operation method similar to the usual set of modular layouts, such as operation using the yard.
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