[ NTRAK Australia Amendments ]
 

What is NTRAK AUSTRALIA

NTRAK AUSTRALIA was initiated in response to the need to modify the NTRAK electrical and size standards to suit Australian conditions. The NTRAK AUSTRALIA Amendments to the NTRAK standard ensure that modules, built by clubs or individuals, can be transported to shows/conventions and assembled into large layouts for reliable operation. N scale conventions have been held in Melbourne 1991, Sydney 1992, Brisbane 1993, Adelaide 1995 & Canberra 1997.
 

What is NTRAK

NTRAK developed in 1973 in California, USA, is the international N Scale Modular Layout System. Modules can be 1200, 1800, or 2400 mm long (i.e. 4, 6, or 8 feet in USA), and as narrow as 600 mm (i.e. 2 feet in USA) wide. NTRAK modules 'plug together' to form very large layouts. There are three common tracks - two main lines and a branch line on each module with an optional fourth track - the mountain line.

Official site of the NTRAK Modular Railroading Society, Inc. includes a copy of the standard, links to the web sites of local and regional clubs around the world and to related organizations, announcements of conventions and other shows, and other information. NTRAK is a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of California (USA).

NTRAK modules allow one to build a "complete" railroad in as little as 600 mm x 1200 mm (2' x 4' in USA), to display it publicly, and to run realistic 100+ car trains. Modules encourage model railroading by allowing the beginner to start small yet enable expansion in the future when space/finances/experience permit.

The NTRAK Manual contains the full specifications for NTRAK modules while the NTRAK Module "How-To" Book contains the NTRAK Manual plus plans, photos, and "how-to" details for building NTRAK modules. The NTRAK Manual as well as other items, including the NTRAK Newsletter can be ordered from NTRAK Publishing.
 

What is N Scale Model Railroading

Scale is the proportion of model to its prototype (N = 1:160). A scale mile in N scale is 10 meters(33 feet). HO, for many years the most popular scale (1:87), is about twice the size of N. A 50 foot boxcar (15.25 meters) in HO is 178 mm (7 inches) long while in N it is 95 mm (3-3/4 inches). N scale thus allows you to model a railroad with a higher scenery to track ratio, more realistic curves, yards and train lengths, etc.

Publications to help the modeller include the N Resource Booklets (NTRAK Publishing), N Scale Primer (Kalmbach Books) and the N-Scale Magazine. The range of N scale products available from companies like Atlas, LifeLike, Walthers, and Peco is expanding rapidly as N continues to enhance its popularity.
 

NTRAK AUSTRALIA Railroad Clubs

   The following Clubs/Groups use the NTRAK modular system in their N exhibition layouts:

• Southside "N" Scale Club, Brisbane, Queensland.
• MelbNTrak Club, Melbourne, Victoria.
• South Australian N Gauge Society (SANGS)
• AMRA (WA)
• Hobart Model Railway Group

NTRAK/N Scale Links

Interchange Track

    The NTRAK Modular Railroading Societies connections to related standards and organizations.

Railroad Clubs

    The NTRAK Modular Railroading Societies connections to local / regional web sites.

The NTRAK Connection

    The spot on the internet to connect with all known NTRAK Clubs having web pages

   The Ozzie locale for info on AusTrak Modular System, oNeTRAK in Australia & NTRAK in Australia. Plus the Australian N Scale Modellers Newsletter and Australian N Scale Products Catalogue.

    The N Scale Resource Site in Australia