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September 2016NEWSLETTERPresident - Geof SmithVice Pres - Bob FallierTreasurer - Robert Pawlak Editor - Roland KelleyPresident’s MessageGeof SmithIs that a locomotive bell, or the school bell tellingus to get back to class? Or in our case, a bit of each?First and foremost, I hope you’ve had a greatsummer! That you’ve got out of the basement a fewtimes – maybe done some rail fanning along theprototype of your choice – or at least soaked up somevitamin D for the dark days of winter ahead.This year, the first Ntrak show will be the PepperellSiding Show on Sunday, October 2, and the first Ttrakshow will be in Concord, NH, August 21 at the EverettArena . That may seem like still a long time fromnow, but it’s going to sneak up quickly! Now’s thetime to refresh the scenery on your module, makesure the electrical connections are tight, the paint onthe fascia isn’t all chipped, and generally put a clean,fresh face on what you’re showing. Let’s take pride inwhat we’ve created! Let John Doehring know if you’reable to bring your Ntrak module, and Fay Chin aboutTtrak.And speaking of modules, I’d like to hear from allof our membership that has not brought a module to ashow in the last year, and those who do not havemodules. My question is simple: where have youbeen? If you haven’t built a module, why not? Is thissomething we can help you with? We all enjoycoming to a show and running a train, but if we’rerelying on others to bring modules so we can runwithout the commitment to at least occasionally bringour own module, then to speak candidly you’re beingselfish and unfair to those who put the time andexpense into creating something - not to mentionmissing out on the feelings of pride andaccomplishment that comes from displaying yourmodule. So let’s make 2017 the year everyone has amodule that comes to a show!Editor - Northeast Ntrak, 41 Easy Street, Lowell, MA 01850-1731, ore-mail: NortheastNtrak@msn.com Web Site - www.northeastntrak.orgtheirs are smaller than Ntrak modules) to shows is starting tobe more and more of a challenge. Part of their answer willinvolve Ttrak. They’re not abandoning Ntrak, but I wouldsuspect building new Ntrak modules won’t happen at thesame pace as building Ttrak, and adding future shows willinvolve more and more Ttrak.Is this a trend? Ntrak was started in 1973 by a group ofenthusiastic model railroaders who wanted to encouragepeople to consider modeling in N scale. To do this, they hitupon the idea of modular railroading: small, individual piecesthat could be joined together to build large display layouts.This by definition meant building modules to well definedstandards, but somehow these standards became aparadigm, and we started believing the 2x4, three trackmodule was the only way we could accomplish this mission.Ttrak has proven its not.Ttrak provides a lightweight, more portable alternative tothe Ntrak modular system. At train shows, the placement ofTtrak modules on table tops, at an average of 30 inchesabove the floor instead of the Ntrak 40 inches, allows smallerviewers to see what we’re doing without the need to climb upthe side of the module or be held up by parents. Sure thesmaller size might present more of a scenic challenge thanwhat might be accomplished in Ntrak, but as Fay and othershave shown us, the only limit is our own imaginations.There’s been a lot of debate that Ttrak is competing withNtrak, and that somehow Ttrak is a lesser effort. I hope thatwe as Northeast Ntrak will not fall into that pit. The purpose ofboth Ntrak and Ttrak is to display ways of having fun andencouraging modeling in N scale. We’ve all bit our tonguesas we hear the naysayers tell us, “Oh, N scale’s just toosmall.” But when people see Bob Pawlak’s canyon modules,or Bob Fallier’s Magic Kingdom, or Roland’s carnival, or anynumber of other really top-notch efforts we’ve made, theycome to realize the only thing too small is their own mind.I think Ttrak’s going to be the same sort of ‘aha’ momentfor us in Ntrak. Whether it’s a way to get in or stay in thehobby, it’s all about model railroading fun – and that’ssomething we can all get on board with.Gauging InterestRecently, our N scale brothers in Maine had aconversation about the future of their club. MaiNetrakis now 20 years old, and as one member put it, theonly thing growing in the group is their age and waistsize, so humping large modules (and bear in mindHelp WantedWould anyone be willing to work with members tobuild the frames for modules? If you would be willingplease call Geoffrey Smith at 603-563-8928.

Northeast Ntrak NewsletterSeptember 2016Page 2T-TRAK Train Show Schedule - 2016 &20172016-2017 NENtrak SHOW PARTICIPATIONSCHEDULEIf you wish to be part of the T-Trak layout contactFay Chin Show Coorinator at e-mailfaywchin@gmail.comOctober 2, 2016 Pepperell Siding Show, Varnum BrookElementary School, Pepperell, MAAugust 21, 2016, Concord Model Railroad Club, EverettArena, Loudon Road, Concord NHNovember 19-20, 2016 Great Train Expo, ShrinersAuditorium, Wilmington, MAShow 10:00 am to 3:30 pmSeptember 25. 2016. Old Colony Model Railroad Club,Taunton Holiday Inn, Taunton MASet-up: 7:00am - Show 10:00am to 4:00pmCoordinator: John Doehring - 978-433-6337Set-up: Fri 1:00pm - 5:00pm - Sat 7:30amShow Sat 10:00am to 4:00pm - Sun 10:00am to 4:00pmCoordinator: Frank Dignan - 508-866-9660Show 10:00 am to 3:30 pmOctober 2, 2016, Peperell Siding Model Railroad,Varnum Brook Elem. School, 10 Hollis St., Pepperell MAShow 10:00 am to 4:00 pmOctober 8, 2016. North Shore Model Railroad Club,American Civic Center, Main St., Wakefield MAShow 10:00 am to 3:00 pmOctober 29-30, 2016, Southshore Model Railroad Club,19 Fort Hill St., Hingham, MAShow Sat & Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pmNovember 5, 2016, Wellesley Community Train Show,219 Washington St., Wellesley, MaShow 10:00 am to 3:00 pmNovember 6, 2016, Metro South Train Show, TempleBeth, 671 North Main St., Randolph, MAShow 10:00 am to 4:00 pmNovember 19-20, 2016, Greenberg’s Train and ToyShow, Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington MADecember 3-4, 2016 - NMRA HUB Division Model TrainShow, Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center,Marlborough, MACoordinator: Rob Selberg (MaiNetrak)Jan 28-29, 2017 Winterfest, Springfield, MA AmherstRailway Society - Big Railroad Hobby ShowBig “E” Exposition Center, West Springfield, MASet-up: Fri noon to 5:00pm & Sat 7:00am to 9:00amShow Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm - Sun 10:00am to 5:00pmLayout Coordinator: Dan Pawling Jr., 617-244-5261Winterfest Chairman: Bob Fallier - 603-465-3785Feb 11-12, 2017 National Heritage Museum, Lexington,MASet-up: Fri 1:00pm - 4:30pm & Sat 7:30am to 10:00amShow Sat 10:00am to 4:30pm - Sun noon to 4:00pmCoordinator: Bob Pawlak - 781-862-2485Show Sat & Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pmDecember 3-4, 2016, NMRA HUB Div Model Train Show,Best Western Royal Plaza Trade Center, Marlboro, MAShow Sat & Sun 10:00 am to 5:00 pmJanuary 28-29, 2017, Amherst Railway Society RailroadHobby Show, Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds,West Springfield MAShow Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm - Sun 10:00am to 5:00pmFebruary 11-12, 2017, American Heritage Museum, 33Marrett Rd., Lexington MAShow Sat 10:00am to 4:30pm - Sun noon to 4:00pmMarch 11-12, 2017, Southshore, 19 Fort Hill St.,Hingham, MAMarch 18-19, 2017 Great Train Expo, ShrinersAuditorium, Wilmington, MASet-up: Fri 1:00pm to 5:00 pm - Sat 7:30amShow Sat 10:00am to 4:00pm - Sun 10:00am to 4:00pmCoordinator: Frank Dignan - 508-866-9660April 23, 2017 Hooksett Lions Club, Cawley MiddleSchool, Hooksett, NHSet-up: 8:00am - Show 10:00am to 4:00pmCoordinator: Geof Smith - 603-762-1874Show Dates Subject to Change Check Newsletters for Updates. Please checkschedule for errors and send up dates to Roland at: northeastntrak@msn.com Thanks foryour help.ShowMarch 18-19, 2017, Greenberg’s Train and Toy Show,Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington MAShow Sat & Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pmApril 2017, NMRA Spring Training, TBDApril 23, 2017, Hooksett Lions Model Train Show,Crawley Middle School, Hooksett NHShow 10:00 am to 4:00 pmNew MemberJeffrey Brown, 108 Captain Eames Circle, Ashland, MA 01721Phone: 508-881-8931 email: jeffb108@yahoo.comPast association with North Shore Model Railroad Club, 20 years in hobby. “I’m very interested in modular layouts and Iwas a member of Ntrak in the past and I always enjoyed it.Running really long trains was my favorite thing.”MaiNe TRACKNov. 7, 2015, Auburn Middle School, 38 Falcon Dr.,Auburn, ME Set-up 8am Layout 8x16 ft.Dec 4-6, 2015Hub Division Model Train Expo, 181Boston Post Rod, Marlborough, MA Set-up Friday 3pm12x24 ft layout to include 16 ft of Northeast NTRAK straightmodules (see Hub Division web site for Hotel info anddiscounts).Jan 29-31, 2016 Winterfest at the Big E (details dependingon Layout coordinators needs)Apr 23, 2016 Mount Ararat High School, 73 Eagles Way,Topsham, ME Set-up 8am Layout 12x20 ft.***For the 2 Maine shows contact us ahead of time as wetry to meet for breakfast. Times and locations of that maychange.

Northeast Ntrak NewsletterSeptember 2016Page 32016 Annual Business MeetingHosted by Diane & Bob FallierJune 18, 2016While there we were treated to his home layout. Think from the picturesyou will see he enjoys building mountains.

Northeast Ntrak NewsletterSeptember 20162016 Annual NorthEast NTRAK Business MeetingHosted by Diane & Bob FallierJune 18, 2016New MemberMark Crump, 109 Blackstone Street, Mendon, MA 01756Phone: 508-344-3752 Email: marktcrump@gmail.comPast association with North Shore Model Railroad Club,10 to 15 years in hobby. “I was a member a long timeago. Looking to get back into it.”Page 4

Northeast Ntrak Newsletter2016 N-Scale Weekend, Altoona Jaffa ShrineCenter, Altoona, PA, By Roland KelleySeptember 2016Page 5Below are some of the modules from Tionesta Valley NTrak.On August 18th I headed to Altoona, PA with my friendJun, to display my Carnival and enjoy a weekend of trains.On Friday I met Frank who had come down to run trainswith the New Jersey NTrak Club. So after setting up wewent on the Everett RR Train Excursion, club and had atrain ride.Have to say I was disappointed with the show. I wasnot in a layout, but put on a wall in the cornor away fromother layouts as you can see from the picture. Frank and Ifeel the show did not drawmore than around 400 inboth days. The ones thatdid find me and my layouthad very good comments.Below is Frank Dignan (in black) running trains with NewJersey N-Trak. He had a great time also visiting many ofthe train museums in the area including Horseshoe Curve.There were many very nice Ntrak and T-trak layouts.Below are a few of the modules from Baltimore Area NTrak.Below are 3 pictures of a T-Track Circus module.