Copyright © 2018 by Andrew Reid - BendTrack · All Rights reserved · E-Mail: andrew@bendtrack.com
The Home of BendTrack
The BendTrack Manual -- Adaptor Modules
Designed & Hosted by JunctionDesign
In this part of the manual we'll be taking a look at what we call "Adapter" or "Conversion" modules. With the use of these
adapter modules the flexibility of both Bend Track and N-Trak is increased above either system's flexibility by itself. As the name
suggests these special modules will allow the use of both systems in the same layout. For example, this would permit a club who
has an N-Trak system in use and who would be reluctant to pick up and start over, to simply decide on one or more of these
conversion modules. Therefore, with a little bit of construction and wiring, they would have increased the options to the members
in the variety of modules that could be built. The biggest benefit of doing this is that the two systems each have certain strengths
which compliment each other very nicely.
Combining BendTrack and N-Trak
Adaptor Modules
The wiring for this adapter is very straight forward. Even though the module has connection points for two different sets of standards, the basic electrical conventions of the two systems are very similar. Just follow the appropriate wiring specifications that each system (BendTrack or N-Trak) uses and apply them to the appropriate ends of the adapters. You'll notice bus lines feeding mainlines 1 and 2 will each wind up having two differing color codes on the Cinch-Jones plugs. This happens because BendTrack uses different colors to identify it's mainlines 1 and 2 than what N-Trak uses. Also take note of the gender of the plugs. Again, following the wiring specifications of the appropriate standard for each of the three ends of the module will ensure the proper plugs are located correctly.
The length between the N-Trak ends would most conveniently be built to 6 or 8 feet to work most easily in an N-Trak layout, as those are both standard N-Trak module lengths.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
One last point to mention about this adapter is that it could also be built to replace an N-Trak outside corner module instead of a straight. In this case the shank and one wing of the "T" are made to N-Trak standards while the remaining wing is made to Bend Track standards. The wiring would follow the same principle of using each end's color codes and plug gender arrangement for the type of module that is to connect to it.
As pictured, the adapter replaces a standard 4 foot N-Trak corner module but the same basic design could also replace the smaller 3 foot standard corner. If so, the outline of the module will be shaped not straight like the above-left drawing, but like an N-Trak corner module superimposed on a Bend Track "offset straight" module shown above-right. Several groups have built these, some even utilizing curved bench work to blend the outline of the module between the three non-aligned ends, creating an almost fluid transition between modular standards. Beautiful!
As pictured, the adapter replaces a standard 4 foot N-Trak corner module but the same basic design could also replace the smaller 3 foot standard corner. If so, the outline of the module will be shaped not straight like the above-left drawing, but like an N-Trak corner module superimposed on a Bend Track "offset straight" module shown above-right. Several groups have built these, some even utilizing curved bench work to blend the outline of the module between the three non-aligned ends, creating an almost fluid transition between modular standards. Beautiful!
N-Trak to Bend Track Adaptor
The first type of adapter is ideally suited to a club who has an existing N-Trak system and would like to add BendTrack to it. It is similar to a Bend Track "T" in that the shank of the "T" ends with Bend Track standards but now the two wings of the "T" end with N-Trak standards. N-Trak mainlines 1 and 2 swing from the wings to the shank to become Bend Track mainlines 1 and 2. N-Trak's branch line (track 3) runs across from one wing to the other without diverting to the shank of the "T".
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
The Original "N"ovative Modular System
Home
The Manual
Whats New?
History
Tips & Tricks
Links
Photo Gallery
Clubs & Groups
Support Us
Contact Us
In this part of the manual we'll be taking a look at what we call "Adapter" or
"Conversion" modules. With the use of these adapter modules the flexibility of both Bend
Track and N-Trak is increased above either system's flexibility by itself. As the name
suggests these special modules will allow the use of both systems in the same layout. For
example, this would permit a club who has an N-Trak system in use and who would be
reluctant to pick up and start over, to simply decide on one or more of these conversion
modules. Therefore, with a little bit of construction and wiring, they would have increased
the options to the members in the variety of modules that could be built. The biggest
benefit of doing this is that the two systems each have certain strengths which
compliment each other very nicely.
In this part of the manual we'll be taking a look at what we call "Adapter" or
"Conversion" modules. With the use of these adapter modules the flexibility of both Bend
Track and N-Trak is increased above either system's flexibility by itself. As the name
suggests these special modules will allow the use of both systems in the same layout. For
example, this would permit a club who has an N-Trak system in use and who would be
reluctant to pick up and start over, to simply decide on one or more of these conversion
modules. Therefore, with a little bit of construction and wiring, they would have increased
the options to the members in the variety of modules that could be built. The biggest
benefit of doing this is that the two systems each have certain strengths which
compliment each other very nicely.
The first type of adapter is ideally suited to a club who has an existing N-Trak system and would like to add BendTrack to it. It is similar to a Bend Track "T" in that the shank of the "T" ends with Bend Track standards but now the two wings of the "T" end with N-Trak standards. N-Trak mainlines 1 and 2 swing from the wings to the shank to become Bend Track mainlines 1 and 2. N-Trak's branch line (track 3) runs across from one wing to the other without diverting to the shank of the "T".
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
The wiring for this adapter is very straight forward. Even though the module has connection points for two different sets of standards, the basic electrical conventions of the two systems are very similar. Just follow the appropriate wiring specifications that each system (BendTrack or N-Trak) uses and apply them to the appropriate ends of the adapters. You'll notice bus lines feeding mainlines 1 and 2 will each wind up having two differing color codes on the Cinch-Jones plugs. This happens because BendTrack uses different colors to identify it's mainlines 1 and 2 than what N-Trak uses. Also take note of the gender of the plugs. Again, following the wiring specifications of the appropriate standard for each of the three ends of the module will ensure the proper plugs are located correctly.
The length between the N-Trak ends would most conveniently be built to 6 or 8 feet to work most easily in an N-Trak layout, as those are both standard N-Trak module lengths.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
One last point to mention about this adapter is that it could also be built to replace an N-Trak outside corner module instead of a straight. In this case the shank and one wing of the "T" are made to N-Trak standards while the remaining wing is made to Bend Track standards. The wiring would follow the same principle of using each end's color codes and plug gender arrangement for the type of module that is to connect to it.
As pictured, the adapter replaces a standard 4 foot N-Trak corner module but the same basic design could also replace the smaller 3 foot standard corner. If so, the outline of the module will be shaped not straight like the above-left drawing, but like an N-Trak corner module superimposed on a Bend Track "offset straight" module shown above-right. Several groups have built these, some even utilizing curved bench work to blend the outline of the module between the three non-aligned ends, creating an almost fluid transition between modular standards. Beautiful!
As pictured, the adapter replaces a standard 4 foot N-Trak corner module but the same basic design could also replace the smaller 3 foot standard corner. If so, the outline of the module will be shaped not straight like the above-left drawing, but like an N-Trak corner module superimposed on a Bend Track "offset straight" module shown above-right. Several groups have built these, some even utilizing curved bench work to blend the outline of the module between the three non-aligned ends, creating an almost fluid transition between modular standards. Beautiful!
The Original "N"ovative
Modular System
Modular System
Combining BendTrack & N-Trak
In this part of the manual we'll be
taking a look at what we call "Adapter" or
"Conversion" modules. With the use of
these adapter modules the flexibility of both
Bend Track and N-Trak is increased above
either system's flexibility by itself. As the
name suggests these special modules will
allow the use of both systems in the same
layout. For example, this would permit a
club who has an N-Trak system in use and
who would be reluctant to pick up and start
over, to simply decide on one or more of
these conversion modules. Therefore, with
a little bit of construction and wiring, they
would have increased the options to the
members in the variety of modules that
could be built. The biggest benefit of doing
this is that the two systems each have
certain strengths which compliment each
other very nicely.
The first type of adapter is ideally suited to a club who has an existing N-Trak system and would like to add BendTrack to it. It is similar to a Bend Track "T" in that the shank of the "T" ends with Bend Track standards but now the two wings of the "T" end with N-Trak standards. N-Trak mainlines 1 and 2 swing from the wings to the shank to become Bend Track mainlines 1 and 2. N-Trak's branch line (track 3) runs across from one wing to the other without diverting to the shank of the "T".
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
Obviously this design requires all trains on mainlines 1 and 2 to travel all of both types of modules. If desired, various arrangements of crossovers, diamonds, and sidings can allow all trains to remain on the N-Trak sections of the layout. Block controls may be needed to permit the crossing over of the trains through these cut-offs depending on the particular arrangement, but those can be worked out at the building clubs discretion.
The wiring for this adapter is very straight forward. Even though the module has connection points for two different sets of standards, the basic electrical conventions of the two systems are very similar. Just follow the appropriate wiring specifications that each system (BendTrack or N-Trak) uses and apply them to the appropriate ends of the adapters. You'll notice bus lines feeding mainlines 1 and 2 will each wind up having two differing color codes on the Cinch-Jones plugs. This happens because BendTrack uses different colors to identify it's mainlines 1 and 2 than what N-Trak uses. Also take note of the gender of the plugs. Again, following the wiring specifications of the appropriate standard for each of the three ends of the module will ensure the proper plugs are located correctly.
The length between the N-Trak ends would most conveniently be built to 6 or 8 feet to work most easily in an N-Trak layout, as those are both standard N-Trak module lengths.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
The shortest possible length for this adapter would be 4 feet 10 inches if the minimum radius and other standards of Bend Track were used and no diamonds were used for bypassing trains. This would require a "Bridge" module of equal length to be used on the opposite side of the layout to keep everything in balance since 4 feet 10 inches is not a standard length in N-Trak. Main 2 could use medium turnouts to allow it to bypass the Bend Track section and still fit in the 4 foot 10 inch length.
Copyright © 2018 by Andrew Reid - BendTrack
All Rights reserved
E-Mail: andrew@bendtrack.com
All Rights reserved
E-Mail: andrew@bendtrack.com
Click Logo to go to the Top of the Page