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The standard and features of T-Trak

"T-Trak" (which is also called “Romen Module”or “Romoji” in Japan) is the standard of the simple module layout, proposed in order to express the scenery, on which N scale streetcars run. It takes less time and effort to make a base board and lay tracks, and we can be centered on creating scenery. Moreover, it is the size which can be carried by the train or bus, so we can easily bring it to operation meetings.

Before reading through the standard

The foundations of how to use a module layout are "to assemble with modules and make them combined together and play". The standard is to help performing it smoothly. Therefore, basic factors needed for the modules are:

Can be tied with any modules
Any vehicles can run smoothly on them

As concrete criteria to achieve these aims, there are some major arrangements as follows.

Modular length must be in multiples of 310mm.
Modular height must be unified.
Be sure to use Uni-track for the connection part.
The double-tracked interval of the connection part must not be changed.
Feeder codes and marking labels can not be omitted.
The minimum radius of the curve section must be set to 120mm or larger.
Construction limits must be strictly observed.

Although a detailed standard is in the following clause, if these condition are mostly fulfilled, no critical troubles will occur in operation. Now, you can create various landscapes with originality and creativity.

A basic standard (a straight module)

The basic module is for straight tracks with a width of 310mm x depth of 210mm.

This size is as large as an A4 (Japan Industrial Standard) sized panel (width of 297mm x depth of 210mm) slightly extended to the length of Unitrack. Since commercial A4 sized panel can be used for a base board, it does not take much effort to assemble. And by using Unitrack for tracks, we can secure the performance of running and connection.

The double track line is the basic track arrangement. The center of the front track is located at 50mm behind from the front end of the module, and the spacing between two tracks is 25mm. Since the width of a Unitrack roadbed is exactly 25mm, if we set two straight tracks without a gap, we can easily get an accurate double track spacing.

Any kind of clamps are not used for connection of each module, which is fixed together only by joiners of each track. For this reason, connection parts of each module have to be unified into Unitrack even when other types of tracks are used in a module.

All modules are equipped with two (electric) feeders, one each on the outer and inner track. Connector plugs of KATO product or compatible are used for feeder codes, and they are wired so that the colors of the electric wires corresponding to each rail may become as blue, white, white, and blue from the front.

When using feeder tracks of Unitrack, the tracks are arranged as shown in a right figure. As signs at the time of operation meetings, a red tag is attached to the outer track code and yellow to inner.

As for a straight module, any construction is prohibited within the range of 12.5mm from a track center to both sides, 44mm from upper surface of a rail, and above the upper surface of a rail. Speaking of a lower part, since the pavements tend to float and cause　poor supply of electricity and derailments, special cautions are required.

The module height is supposed to be 60mm from the table top to the base board upper surface, that is to say, the bottom of a Unitrack. However, in the case of operation meetings, the height is set to 100mm, so each module has to be equipped with adjusters, which can fit into the height ranging from 95mm to 105mm.

A basic standard is as mentioned above.

The standard of a corner module

A corner module is 310mm x 310mm square in shape. For a base board, we can use a commercial jacket (300mm x 300mm) sized panel with a slight enlargement.

As shown in a right figure, a combination of Unitrack R216-45 and some fraction tracks is available. In this case, Uni-joiners with feeder are used for wiring.
A curve with a smaller radius can also be built by using flex tracks. The minimum radius must be kept 120mm or larger. Also in this case, feeders and the connection parts of Unitrack must be built in.

Any construction is prohibited within the range of 17mm (inner) and 18mm (outer), from the track center. Since this value is the minimum, various kinds of cars should be made to run practically, and we should adjust so that any given cars on the inner and outer track do not knock into each other.

Other standards are based on a straight module.

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