T-TRAK Modules

Single Module

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

Track pieces can be anything that totals two lengths of 310mm, common combinations are 248mm + 62mm  or 186mm + 124mm.

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Double Module

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

Track pieces can be anything that totals two lengths of 620mm, common combinations are two 248mm + 124mm or two 186mm + two 124mm.

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Triple Module

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

Track pieces can be anything that totals two lengths of 930mm, for example three 248mm + 186mm .

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S-Transition

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

NOTE: Caution is necessary when building the S-Transition because the left and the right are mirrored versions of each other. You can not simply build two identical modules, and turn the one around.

The S-Transition is built to be the same size as a standard double module, and transitions the track from the 'front' edge to the 'back'. The standard 1½" setback is maintained at the ends on both sides of the module. S-Transition modules are often used in pairs, and any module placed between them can be placed "backwards" to the common viewing angle.

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Small Corner Module

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

A 282R/315R corner is the original corner module, and is still the most common.  Sometimes referred to as a "standard corner".  Small corners are part of the standard because they are the largest radius that will allow an overall of track to fit on a "normal" banquet table (~30").  

 Although this can be misleading, since the larger corner sizes also meet the standard. 

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Larger Corner

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

Note: Although they have become quite popular, larger corners are considered non-standard size because they do not fit on a single table.

The most common way to create the larger corners is using the Kato Double Track Superelevated Curve pieces. Note that there are special "Approach tracks" needed for the superelevated.

If you are doing a 90-degree corner using the Superelevated track, you will need:

• Approach Track Right (22.5 degree curve)
• One Superelevated Curve piece (45 degree)
• Approach Track Left (22.5 degree curve)

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Endcap

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

An endcap is just two "corner modules" as a single module. So they turn the full 180-degrees in one module. They are built in the same radius as the small or larger corners.

To determine the width & depth, you can use the outside track radius. For example, if you are going to do a 282/315 endcap:

Width = (2 x 315) + 101 = 731mm or 28¾"
Depth = 315 + 50 = 365mm or 14⅜"

(see the pro-tip to learn where the 50 and 101 additions come from. )

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Inside Corner

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

Module width & depth above are just approximate.  Those are assume the module was a complete square, with the track interface sides at 12".  But at a minimum you have to cut off one (inside) corner.  The example here actually cuts off the inside and opposite corner.

Track pieces, as depicted here, is the ideal set because it keeps the minimum radius of 282mm for the "yellow" line and 315mm for the "red" line.  Early example of the Inside Corner used 282mm track on the inside curve, which is the red line (since the curve in introverted from the normal).  

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T-Junction Module

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

The original T-Junction was designed by Steve Jackson, so is sometimes referred to as a "Jackson Junction".  Because it is the only one that will still fit on a table, it is also referred to as a "Standard Junction"

The straight legth of track (597mm) is not a natural length for Kato track. You will need to use the adjustable track piece [20-050], or a custom cut piece of 101mm.  

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Larger Junctions

^†Height is measured from table top to the bottom of the Kato UNITRACK

^‡All Require use of adjustable track piece [20-050], or a custom cut piece.

Note: Junctions larger than the "Jackson Junction" are considered non-standard size because they do not fit on a single table.

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Non-Standard Modules

Model railroaders are creative people, and sometimes that creativity does not fit into a formal standard!  The good news is that the T-TRAK Standards document actually has accommodations for being non-standard.  In it's simplist form, the idea is that if you have a "non-standard" module, you can have a second module that brings it back into "standard".  Here are just some scenarios illustrating how this works.

Deep Modules

The standard for straight modules of "not to exceed 365mm (14⅜ in) deep" is based on the idea that anything deeper would interfere with the module behind it. If there was a 'thinner' module in that location, than the 'deep module' would not interfere.

Odd Track Placement

(yards that have the track down the center instead of 1.5 offset)

Odd Lengths

Sometimes a kit or a scene just won't fit on a 'standard module'.  You can build a non-standard length module, but then you have 2 options:  

1. Build a second non-standard module of equal length to be used opposite the first one
2. Build a second non-standard length module that adds enough length to the first one to bring it to a common standard length.

Technically, there is a third option for 'odd length' modules, and that is to use it in a way that doesn't impact the overall layout or other modules. For example, you might use an odd length in section of the layout that doesn't have a loop.  This third option leads up the the last example...

Unique Shapes

Modules can be built to address a specific need or desire, such as the star junction, or a balloon module.  These modules (usually) don't have a specific partner module to bring things back into standard like the previous examples, but they are still useful in a layout because they do negatively impact the other modules.

Examples

All of the modules in this example are taken from real word examples.  This shows the versitlity of T-TRAK, and how non-standard module can be used.   All of the modules in red are 'standard' modules.  The light blue modules are a pair of odd lengths set opposite each other in the loop.  The two pink illustrate a deep depth, and the matching skinny module working together. The green star junction is a unique shape module.  The yellow modules, taken as a whole, is an example of the unique shape balloon module.  But careful observation will notice that it is made of one endcap (a 'standard module') and two 'non-standard' modules with odd track placement working as a pair to bring things back into compliance with the standard modules on either side of it. 

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