Show Report: Altoona N-Scale Weekend 2025

Altoona N-Scale Weekend 2025 Combined T-TRAK Layout Report

By Dave Ferrari

Mike Phillips Pennsylvania N-Scale Weekend 2025 was run by The Altoona Association of Model Railroaders (AAMRR) again at the Blair County Convention Center. Setup was Friday, September 19,2025 with the show running on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday the 21st. 

There were other T-TRAK layouts, several N-Trak layouts and a FreeMo-N layout. In total there were 14 layouts at the event. Northern New Jersey N-trak, my club, provided the table covers, wire covers and all electronics with a few connectors and pigtails provided by Jim Nolan. The Combined T-TRAK Layout had an area of 40’ by 27’ this year. The layout was again in a large “E” shape with 3 peninsulas. This year the two outer peninsulas ended in a pair of wide corners while the center peninsula had two Standard Corners with a Single between them. The center peninsula formed off the backbone of the layout with a pair of Branch Line Junctions from Jim Nolan. These somewhat unique modules had the Red and Yellow Lines run straight through with the option of turning into the peninsula from Red Line. You would then run around the end of the peninsula and return to the rest of the Red Main Line. The Yellow Line on this peninsula was a completely independent loop with a loop at the top that wasn’t connected to the rest of the layout. This inner loop was accessed via crossovers. The right-hand peninsula had a pair of Jackson Junctions, provided by none other than Steve Jackson, that formed an inner Analog/DC loop on the Yellow Line.

There were 102 separate modules. They amounted to 184 Single Equivalent Units (SEU) plus 12 Corner Equivalent Units. There were 10 actual corners, and I consider a Branch Line Junction as both a straight and a corner, hence Corner Equivalents. There were 198 feet of double-track mainline, that’s 6 scale miles! 

I've listed a full breakdown of module types at the end of this report and included the "As Built" plan. Modules were provided by twenty-seven individuals representing nine different clubs, plus 3 independent modelers, all from eleven different states. There were other attendees running trains and helping with setup and breakdown.

Setup started before 12 Noon on Friday with table arrangement then adding table covers. Steve Jackson’s setup team shimmed some of the tables since they were slightly different heights. We had all the modules placed, connected and wired before we had to leave the convention center at 6 PM Friday. 

Most of the layout was Digitrax DCC with Wi-Fi as well. There was a big outer Red Line loop and two smaller Yellow Line loops, plus previously mentioned Analog/DC loop.

The layout ran well both days with only a few minor track alignment and rail height problems which were quickly fixed. Teardown started at 3:00 PM Sunday and everything was packed up and out the door by 4:30.

Module Count:

Singles: 22
Doubles: 45
Triples: 17
Jackson Junctions: 2
Triple Junctions: 2
Quads: 3
Standard Corners: 1
Wide Corners: 8
Inside Corners: 3
Combo Corners (Single+Corner): 1
Short Spacers: 1

Thanks again to everyone who participated!

The as-built plan:

 By Pat O'Connor

We set up a T-TRAK layout at the Wayne PAL on Sunday, March 23, 2025. We had 8 tables in 2 rows in the main vendor room, so it was nice and quiet. We were up and running shortly before 9 AM. Show attendance was okay and some of us enjoyed the obligatory Wayne PAL Pork Roll Egg and Cheese breakfast sandwich.

Modules were brought by Pat, Phil, Dirk, Anthony and Tony. Members were in and out throughout the day and included Pat, Dirk, Phil, Anthony, Tony, Mike W, Mike M, Keith, Rob Z, Will,  Patrick and his friend Mark.  An as-built plan is attached as are a couple photos. 

The layout ran well all day and had a nice mix of trains running from American steam to the Japanese Bullet Train. 

We were all packed up and ready to go at 2:40. Thanks to everyone for pitching in!

Photos courtesy of Mike Wong, Track plan by Dave Ferrari

Wayne Show Report - December 15, 2024

 Wayne Show Report - December 15, 2024

We set up a T-TRAK layout at the Wayne PAL show on Sunday 12/15. Setup was led by Dirk and Phil with a big assist by John Olejnik from JCN/Union who brought the table covers from Toms River and used his power box. They all brought modules and so did Tony & Anthony and Keith. Mike W was there to help, especially with the electronics. Also attending to run trains was Patrick Calvano, with a friend, Frank and Will Lawrence, who just rejoined the club. Mike Maloney stopped in near the end of the show.

The layout was up and running by 8:45. Things ran okay with just a couple of derailments. John had a long Christmas train with lights and digital effects. There were other Christmas trains as well. The show was pretty well attended.

As-built plan

Toms River Elk's Lodge Show Report - December 8, 2024

By Dave Ferrari

The club had a show Sunday 12/8/2024 at the Toms River Elks Lodge. Members of our club and Jersey Central Ntrak participated. Modules were brought by Bill Myers, Bobby Sweet, Al Etzel, John Peruggia, and John Olejnik. Harry Leifer brought electronics, wiring and table covers. But we used John O's electronics box because it's smaller. Bob Goldstein and Bill's friend John Lyle were also there to help.

The layout was up and running by about 9:40 am and ran well during the show. The layout was torn down and packed up by about 2:45 pm. 

The As-Built plan and some photos are attached.

Thank you to all who helped!

Brick Elks Lodge - September 29, 2024

By Dave Ferrari

The club had a show at the Brick Elks Lodge on Sunday, September 29. With only 4 eight-foot tables the layout was 16 by 5 feet. Bill Myers brought all his modules and Harry brought his new two-triple yard. I brought 2 pairs of wide corners, a triple and a bunch of singles, including Pat's pair. The as built plan is attached in both AnyRail and JPG formats, a couple photos too. In addition to those of us who brought modules, Michael Walpow was also there to help.