Headwaters HOtrak is a group of model railroaders from southwestern Montana. To date, the group has visited the Livingston Depot club layouts, the Idaho Fall’s Eagle Rock Historic Society modular layout, a private home layout in Idaho Falls and the Helena Train Fair.
The group’s current focus is on developing an HO gauge National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) compatible modular layout. An scale drawing showing the modules and room layout is show to the left. Interested parties are invited to participate in meetings and become involved in the club.
At this time, the Headwaters HOtrak modules are NMRA compatible with these exceptions:
- Rail height 50 inches (NMRA 40 inches) We liked the eye level perspective and the extra height to work/duck under the layout. A second, shorter, set of legs would allow the module to be fully NMRA compliant.
- Operation from the outside (south) sides of modules. This is neccessitated by the museum space constraints, and the combination of a higher (50″ vs. 40″) rail height and the 14″ high sky boards. This means any controls and jacks that would normally be on the rear of the module need to be duplicated on the front.
- Recommended Module Size 30 inches deep by 72 inches long (NMRA is 24″ x 48″) These modules are compatible with the NMRA standard, but allow more room. All other sizes of NMRA compliant modules are welcome.
- Switches – We are recommend Peco #6 Insulfrog turnouts for their snap action and compatibility with DCC.
- Anderson PowerPole connectors. While other area clubs use the 4 flat wire trailer connector and the Cinch Jones plugs are the standard, we believe the PowerPoles provides easy trouble shooting and installation of throttles and control blocks worth the extra cost.
An Adobe pdf file summarizing the Headwater HOtrak module specifications is availabe here: Proposed Specifications
Headwaters has also developed a recommended design for the construction of straight modules with a 4 inch thick foam top, allowing deep scenery as standard. A detailed cut list is avalable here: Module Cut List
Photos of the module frame are below:
Detail of top of module frame. Braces are below module interface end.
Detail showing bottom of module frame. Crossmembers are on 18 inch centers.
Detail of Corner Brace. Brace supports bottom of foam and will support top of pocket legs.
Detail of Corner Brace. Note scribe lines marking center and edges of frame pieces.
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