2010 National NTRAK Show
and
Danville Old 97 Rail Days

 
The NTRAK Digital (DCC) Layout
"The Danville Railroad"

Table of Contents

Introduction

The main attraction and highlight of the 2010 National NTRAK Show and Danville Old 97 Rail Days is the NTRAK Digital Layout, named The Danville Railroad. This layout is the result of evolution and new thought that has taken place, been tested and implemented over the 7 years of Danville Rail Days. The layout captures the essence of of the uNcoNveNtioN concept.

The layout represents the heartbeat of NTRAK model railroading. It is a proven, well-conceived, dynamic, scenic, DCC layout that permits either free running or prototype-style railroad operations. It provides the opportunity to run trains all day and into the night, with just a break for sustenance.

There will be a number of sessions when operations will be controlled by a Dispatcher using two-way radios. At other times there will be free-running, with just a couple of simple rules in effect to prevent problems, such as two trains heading towards each other on the same track. Times for the sessions are provided in the Timetable section below.

Bring your DCC-equipped locomotives and trains to operate on this layout, and experience this unique and exciting layout. We are sure you will find this layout to be a worthwhile evolution of the standard NTRAK rectangular layout.

It is obvious from the photograph of the Pepsi Building at left that it is not a large building. The maximum size NTRAK layout that can be accommodated in the building is 24' x 60'. Because of this size limitation the ENL partnership clubs began, following the first Old 97 Rail Days in 2003, to develop means of increasing the number of modules that could be placed in the building while reducing the empty space that is normally found inside NTRAK layouts. Our layouts went from the simple rectangular layout to an E-shaped layout then to a U-shaped layout, as shown at left below. In one of these layouts we were fortunate to have the right modules on hand and those modules placed so there were multiple crossovers between Red/Yellow/Blue tracks and multiple ups-and-downs between the Green track and the lower level tracks. This provided additional flexibility in train routing and operations, especially since the entire layout was DCC controlled. But we were still not satisfied. It did, however, start the innovations that are now incorporated in our Danville layouts and which will be featured in the 2010 layout.

This layout provides engineers the luxury of not climbing in and out of NTRAK center pits. Operationally it provides multiple varieties of work from mainline passenger, through freight and mixed freight running, to branch-line and industrial spur chores. In other words, it looks and operates more like a real railroad.

The members of the Eastern N Lines partnership strongly believe that the future of NTRAK lies in providing more operational possibilities, and more track and scenery styles for engineers and the viewing public to enjoy.

There are some who may feel that the public just want to see trains run, and are not interested in things like prototypical operations, switching, etc. Our experience is the reverse. Members of the public will congregate around such activities and watch what is being done, especially if the engineer involved does some explaining to the viewers. Even something as seemingly mundane as trains entering and leaving the yard via the T-module attracts spectators.

As Show attendees we are probably much more interested in operating our trains than just seeing them run around and around. The concept of this layout, plus the number of trains that can be run on it at the same time requires the engineer to "operate" his/her train in a safe manner, taking note of turnout positions, the route being followed, other trains, switching activities, etc. An engineer on the NTRAK Digital Layout cannot just sit back and watch his/her train run.

This is NTRAK at its best — NTRAK 2010.

Based on the experience, evolution and discussions held over the past three years, our plan for the NTRAK Digital Layout can be summarized as follows:

• The NTRAK Digital Layout is not a true "point-to-point" layout. It will feature continuous operation, right-hand running, on all four tracks (Red/Yellow/Blue/Green). If you compare this layout to a traditional NTRAK rectangle with pit, each loop (Balloon) module represents two corner modules. The former NTRAK pit is essentially the figurative middle of every module. This layout style provides the ability to operate more trains than a traditional NTRAK layout. More importantly, more trains potentially doing more varieties of train activities, whether it be mainline running, branch line switching or classification yard work.

• Train length is not a real issue on this type of layout, with the exception that longer trains take longer to pass any given location, holding up operations by other engineers running on the layout. To reduce such delays and provide a smoother flow of operations, freight trains will be limited to about 40 cars.

• Passenger service is not only possible on this layout, it is practically a requirement. The layout contains a number of modules with crossovers between the various tracks as well as modules that allow trains to move up and down to/from the Green track. Combined with bi-directional running on all mainlines first-priority passenger traffic can be accommodated. Several modules will have passenger stations to enhance the overall operation.

• This layout lends itself to dispatcher-controlled operations. An "open" or "freelance" form of operation is planned where engineers convey their intentions to the dispatcher, who then grants permission based on a variety of priority train considerations. The object is not necessarily to mimic a prototype operation across the entire layout, but rather to simulate the controlled movement of multiple trains that may share similar track on their way to achieve limited objectives. At least one or two trains on the layout will have near continuous mainline authority; the dispatcher will clear tracks in advance of these trains to contribute to their movement.

• When the layout is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday they will be limited to the outer circumference of the layout, and will not have access to the internal areas. Attendees will be able to store their trains under the modules, which will have the usual skirting on the front.

• This layout will give everyone a chance to relax, enjoy each other's company and exhibit both patience and enthusiasm for the potential that this layout design affords. Digital Command Control was made for this kind of operation. The addition of publicly audible two-way radio communications provides an additional level of enjoyment.

The Layout Plan
Shown below is the actual layout plan for the 2010 National NTRAK Show & Danville Rail Days layout. It will be updated from time-to-time as additional information becomes available. As we approach the dates for the show this plan should also show complete track configurations on the various modules in the layout.

Scale: 1 Square = 1' x 1'
Note: Red and Green tracks are shown for effect and do not represent actual module track layout. Green track represents skyboard (rear) side of module.

The modules that will form the NTRAK Digital Layout will be modules from the Eastern N Lines partnership clubs that have been tested and verified in layouts at Danville Old 97 Rail Days in 2008 and 2009, and at the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour Show in Chantilly, VA in January, 2010. No other modules will be included in the layout.

The reason for this approach is to ensure a trouble free layout right from the start of operations at 8:00am on Friday, September 24. The layout will be set up, tested and operation verified on Thursday, September 23 by the ENL clubs. This process will allow us to meet the objective of successful, continuous, trouble-free and reliable operation of the layout throughout the Show.

The NTRAK Digital Layout located in the Pepsi Building will be 100% operated under Digital Command Control (DCC). The system to be used is the Digitrax Digital Command Control system, with a DCS100 Command Station as the central processor. The layout will be equipped with both UR91 Simplex Radio Receivers and UR92 Duplex Radio Transceivers so a wide range of Digitrax throttles can be used, as described below.

Throttles
Show attendees desiring to operate on the NTRAK Digital Layout should bring their own Digitrax throttle. Acceptable throttles are the following: DT100R, DT300R, DT400R, DT402R, DT402D, UT4R, UT4D. Wired only throttles (DT100, DT200, DT300, DT400, DT402, UT1, UT2, UT4 and Buddy) are not permitted on the layout.

For simplex operation ("R" throttles) the LocoNet ID will be set to 07. When you unplug an "R" throttle from LocoNet the throttle should display "ra:07." Note that when you plug the throttle into LocoNet it may display "ir:07" rather than "ra:07."

For duplex operation ("D" throttles) the Duplex Group Name will be set to "NTRAK010." Even though the "D" throttles do not require plugging in for normal operations, they must be plugged in once at first use so they can acquire the Duplex Group Name and the assigned radio channel. Your "D" throttle will display the Duplex Group Name "NTRAK010."

Decoder Address Programming
Attendees planning to run their trains on the NTRAK Digital Layout should program and verify the operation of their locomotives before coming to the Show. While a Programming Station will be available at the layout, this is intended only for problem resolution, not for primary programming. There will definitely not be any capability to modify the sound files in sound decoders, although the Programming Station will be equipped with a Program Track Booster so sound decoders can have their address programmed.

In the event of duplicate addresses on the layout at the same time, the Programming Station may be used to modify one of the conflicting addresses.

Consisting
Since, due to the size of the layout, it is unlikely that anywhere near the maximum memory slots in the Command Station will be used, there will be no restriction on the type of consisting used by engineers. Engineers can use Basic, UniVersal (Command Station Assisted) or Advanced (Decoder Assisted) Consisting as they see fit for their locomotive consists.

Questions
For any questions or additional information about DCC on the NTRAK Digital Layout, click here to contact the Digital Master.

As described above the NTRAK Digital layout has been designed for prototypical railroad operations, as well as for just running trains. One of the junction modules in the layout has turnouts controlled by stationary decoders. As well as local pushbutton operation on a route basis, these turnouts can be controlled remotely by a Dispatcher using JMRI PanelPro.

The control scheme on the junction module, Red Rock Junction, was the subject of an article in N-Scale Magazine; click here to view this article.

The Pepsi Building has a room next to the layout room where the Dispatcher may be located. LocoNet will be run to this room and interconnected via a LocoBuffer to a computer running JMRI. The Dispatcher will use the PanelPro displays, train sheet and two-way radio to run the railroad.

There will be several Prototype Railroad Operating Sessions, starting on Friday afternoon. Click here for details on the Prototype Operating Sessions.

 


Check back soon for more information.

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Last updated: Sunday, January 31, 2010

2010 National NTRAK Convention
& Danville Old 97 Rail Days

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