STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
Adopted August 24, 1991
Amended July 3, 2001
STANDARDS are directive in nature and must be followed.
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES are advisory in nature, however adherence should be the norm unless an overriding situation requires variance from the RP.
Part 1 - Modules
The standards represent the minimum required for module certification and for inclusion in Club set-ups.
a. When the standards presented below are more restrictive than previous standards:
(1) Existing modules that conform to the previous standard are to be upgraded to the new standard when significant work is performed.
(2) New modules must be constructed to the new standard.
b. These standards arise from and supplement the Ntrak specifications:
(1) Optional items in the Ntrak specifications are optional herein unless prescribed as a standard.
(2) "Bridge" modules are only subject to those standards that derive from the Ntrak specification for Bridge modules (i.e., Bridge modules are not required to have legs or skyboards).
c. Club owned modules must conform to all standards as well as all RPs preceded by an asterisk (*).
d. The included track standards apply to the four "common" track positions used by the Club (Red, Yellow, and both Blue lines) and have the force of Recommended Practices (RP) for all module track that connects
with these lines.
e. The Standards Committee may grant waivers to module standards when the deviation does not compromise operation of trains on the "common" tracks.
ST 1.1 - Construction
To be included in a Club setup:
a. A module shall meet Ntrak specifications for all required features.
b. Where optional Ntrak features are included, each shall conform to the applicable specifications pertaining to that feature as set forth in the Ntrak standard.
*RP 1.1.1 - Skyboard Height
Recommended skyboard height for modules is:
a. Typical Module: 14" above the railhead (54"±1" above floor).
b. Visible Yards and other modules where frequent reaching over the skyboard is required: 10" above the rail head (50"±1" above floor).
*RP 1.1.2 - Skirting
a. Recommended skirting is a "Harvest Gold" cotton/polyester attached with hook-and-loop (Velcro) fasteners or thumbtacks (module owner-provided).
b. The Club logo may be silk screened on the skirting at the approximate center.
c. The module name should be printed in indelible ink on the reverse side of at least one corner of the skirting.
ST 1.2 - Rail and Track
The minimum rail size of "common" tracks (Red, Yellow, and Blue lines) shall be Code 55.
a. The inside edge and flangeway of all running rails shall be free of obstructions (including spike heads) to a depth of 0.055" from the top of the rail.
b. Rail at the ends of the module (or module group) shall be capable of mechanical connection to standard (Code 80) rail using Atlas rail joiners.
c. Rail sides shall be painted to represent in-use track as seen on the prototype.
*RP 1.2.1 - Peco "Code 55" Universal Finescale Track Products
Peco "Code 55" Universal Finescale track products are recommended for permanent "common" tracks.
*RP 1.2.2 - Special Track Work
The installation of Single Slip, Double Slip, and Double Crossover track configurations is strongly discouraged on "common" tracks.
RP 1.2.3 - Other Track Products
Other track products (including hand laid rail on individual ties) may be used providing that their manufacture and installation conform to all applicable Ntrak and NMRR standards.
ST 1.3 - Track Gauge
Track gauge of "common" tracks shall correspond to gauge and minimum flangeway width standards incorporated in the NMRA Standards Gauge, N Scale, Mark IV.
ST 1.4 - Turnouts
Turnouts leading off any of the "common" tracks shall be of solid ("live") frog construction. For the purposes of this ST, Peco Finescale Long turnouts are considered #8, Medium and Curved turnouts are considered #6, and Short and Wye turnouts are considered #4.
a. Turnouts comprising a crossover between two "common" tracks (Red to Yellow or Yellow to Blue) shall be #8 or larger.
b. Turnouts in a mainline (Red or Yellow) passing siding shall be #8 or larger.
c. Turnouts in a branchline (Blue) passing siding shall be #6 or larger.
d. Turnouts at a branchline junction (one route leads to Ntrak Standard Blue, the other leads to Alternate Blue) shall be #6 or larger.
*RP 1.4.1 - Main Line Turnouts
a. No more than one facing-point mainline turnout should be installed per each 2 ft. of module for each direction of travel on each "common" line.
b. Normal traffic flow should be via the "straight" leg of the turnout.
*RP 1.4.2 - Switching/Operation
Each module 4' long or longer should incorporate some switching possibility on the branchline.
ST 1.5 - S-Curves
a. All S-Curves on the "common " tracks shall include a straight section of at least 8" in length between the two curves.
b. Crossovers connecting "common " tracks (Red to Yellow, Yellow to Blue) shall be completed with a suitably sized piece of tangent (straight) track between the diverging route of the two turnouts.
RP 1.5.1 - S-Curves
S-Curves not on "common" tracks (including passing sidings and ladder tracks that originate on "common" track) should be constructed to the most conservative standards possible.
ST 1.6 - Clearance
a. Lateral clearance of structures along the main and branch line right-of-way shall correspond to lateral standards incorporated in:
(1) The NMRA Standards Gauge, N Scale, Mark IV, for tangent (straight) track.
(2) The Ntrak "Modern Clearance Gauge" for curved track.
(3) Vertical clearance shall be sufficient to allow passage of auto racks, double-stack well cars, and piggybacks (approximately 1.75 inches or a scale 23' above the railhead). The Ntrak "Modern Clearance Gauge" may be used to check this dimension.
RP 1.6.1 - Generous Clearance
Module builders are encouraged to allow more clearance than the standard requires, however, changes will not be mandated in order to accommodate equipment exceeding these standards, regardless of manufacture or conformance to prototype.
ST 1.7 - Connector Tracks
a. Standard connector tracks shall:
(1) Be constructed of common Code 80 track (flex or sectional) in lengths from 63.5 to 67.5 scale feet.
(2) Be glued to a rigid (plastic) backing .020-.030" thick.
(3) Be gapped on both rails, and the gaps filled in with plastic trimmed to shape.
(4) Be weathered and ballasted using club standard ballast specified in ST 1.8 (Fleischmann "Profi" track is deemed to meet this standard).
(5) Have rail joiners soldered at one end; the other end shall be "clearanced" to allow rail joiners to slide completely under the rails. The tie strip shall not be completely removed. Sliding rail joiners shall be included.
(6) Be marked on the underside with a paint pen or Sharpie marker as follows:
(a) The year and month of construction in six digits (e.g., 200105) near the fixed joiner end;
(b) The rail length in scale feet in half-foot increments expressed as a decimal (e.g., 65.5) near the center;
(c) The builder's membership number in three digits (e.g., 019) near the sliding joiner end. Connector tracks constructed at a work session shall be numbered 000.
b. Non-standard Connector Tracks (including those used to connect track on a member owned, multi-part module) shall be:
(1) Glued to a rigid backing (any thickness to facilitate use where roadbed is not installed).
(2) Marked in a manner indicating the module to which they belong and their placement thereon.
(3) Weathered and ballasted if visible to the public.
(4) Gapped on both rails and the gaps filled in with plastic trimmed to shape (unless electrical continuity is required).
ST 1.8 - Ballast
a. The Club Standard Ballast is a 50-50 mixture of Woodland Scenics #74 and #75 (Fine Light Grey and Fine Grey) or equivalent.
b. Club Standard Ballast shall be applied to the "common" trackage of each Club-owned module.
*RP 1.8.1 - Ballast
Module owners should apply Club Standard Ballast to each end (2-4 inches) of all "common" trackage, allowing a suitable blending transition to the module's selected ballast color.
ST 1.9 - Roadbed and Scenic Elements
a. "Common" tracks shall be installed on a raised roadbed having a cross section profile adequate to simulate the raised roadbed of the prototype.
b. Because of the overall thickness of a Club Standard Connector track, the installed roadbed shall be lowered at the interface ends:
(1) Approximately 0.045 inches on modules built with Peco Finescale Code 55 track.
(2) Approximately 0.035 inches on modules built with other commercial track products.
*RP 1.9.1 - Weathering
Module owners/builders should paint and weather structures to represent in-service buildings, tunnels, etc.
*RP 1.9.2 - Scenic Treatment at Interfaces
Scenic elements including terrain, foliage, and background scenes should be brought to interface level in a natural and aesthetically pleasing manner at each interface end of the module (extreme ends of multi-part modules); NO PLYWOOD CLIFFS!
RP 1.9.3 - Guard Rails
Bridge track should be equipped with appropriately positioned guard rails securely installed between the running rails and allowing an NMRA-standard flangeway.
ST 1.10 - Damage Prevention Features
a. No "common" track or passing siding shall have its centerline set closer than 2 inches from the front edge of the module.
b. No bridge structure shall be positioned so as to allow derailed equipment to fall into lower terrain unless the terrain is constructed to prevent a further fall to the floor.
c. Modules that provide more than one Blue Line interface at either end shall be equipped with removable bumper tracks or bumping posts, having a realistic appearance, at each unconnected interface point.
*RP 1.10.1 - Protective Construction
Modules should rely on buildings and elevated scenic elements to protect the front of the modeled area and to prevent derailed equipment from falling to the floor.
*RP 1.10.2 - Clear Plastic "Sneeze" Guards
a. Clear plastic panels should not be used to protect the scenery or trains along the front of the module.
b. If used on a member's module, clear plastic panels must be kept clean and scratch free.
Part 2 - Motive Power and Rolling Stock
The standards represent the minimum required to eliminate most operating problems attributable to motive power and rolling stock.
a. Club owned motive power and rolling stock shall conform to all standards and asterisked Rps.
b. Members are expected to police their own compliance with these Standards, however any member may call for a standards check on any motive power or rolling stock that exhibits faulty operation or causes damage to properly installed and maintained track or to electrical components.
ST 2.1 - Wheel Gauge
Wheelsets on motive power and rolling stock shall be correctly in gauge as determined by comparison to the NMRA Standards Gauge, N Scale, Mark IV.
*RP 2.1.1 - Kadee Three-piece Ribbed-back Wheelsets
Members should remove these wheelsets from service.
ST 2.2 - Conformance
All motive power and rolling stock operated on the layout shall be capable of such operation within the clearance standards specified in ST 1.3 and ST 1.6.
RP 2.2.1 - Weathering
Members are encouraged to apply some degree of weathering to at least 75% of their engines and rolling stock.
RP 2.2.2 - Ownership Marking
Each member should mark his or her motive power and rolling stock in a uniform and unique manner.
a. If an encoding system other than that described below is used, the member must register the marking with the Secretary.
b. On rolling stock, the marking should be applied off center towards the "B" (brake wheel) end with the dot representing the most significant digit nearest the brake wheel. On motive power, assume the "B" end is opposite the "F", or front of the unit.
c. The recommended ownership marking scheme consists of the owner's membership number encoded as three colored dots painted on the underside of each engine and
piece of rolling stock. The recommended code is:
| 0 = Silver | 5 = Green |
| 1 = Brown (tan) | 6 = Blue |
| 2 = Red | 7 = Violet |
| 3 = Orange | 8 = Gray |
| 4 = Yellow | 9 = White |
d. When the underside color is indistinguishable from the code color, the code dot may be superimposed on a larger dot of a contrasting color. For example: member 019 would mark rolling stock - silver-brown-white - with the silver dot nearest the "B" end. On a white covered hopper, the member would apply a black dot before applying the white.
e. The member may use this same method to mark other items of his/her property.