FUNTRAK continues to expand the size of the club layouts displayed for the public. Again this year the t-trak layout got larger and the new HO t-trak layout was included at the Fonda Fair, thanks to one of FUNTRAK’s newest members, Greg Brockway. The week-long train display draws many visitors and fascinates observers as they watch multiple trains traverse the many routes available on the numerous different scale layouts on display. The hard work of the members of the clubs involved pays off in the many smiles from the public to the people presenting the great model railroads at the fair.

This post is a tribute to our Northern neighbors in Canada. Brian recently visited with longtime
friend David King in Hamilton, Ontario where he was fortunate enough to visit a few home layouts,
including David’s. One of the interesting layouts he visited is pictured below, the Credit
Valley Railway based in the company store in Mississauga.

Besides the HO layout, which this and the other pictures below were taken on, there is also a Lionel layout as well as a small O gauge diorama. All these displays are well done and are a big asset to the hobby shop. The layouts illustrate what can be done with available supplies, of which the hobby shop carries everything needed to build these fine layouts. The selection at the store was wonderful, the help most gracious, and prices reasonable. Many hard to find and unusual items were readily available and easy to find in the well organized store. If you are in the area, do not pass up an opportunity to visit this fine Canadian hobby shop.

Inspiration and ambition. Two wonderful concepts that go hand in hand. FUNTRAK has never had a lack of ambition when it comes to model railroading and inspiration can be found in numerous places. Fortunately for club members John Fleming, Clayt Farrall, Greg Brockway, and myself, Brian Curry was kind enough to allow them to visit his exquisite N scale home layout. This layout will provide inspiration to anyone who has even the slightest interest in model railroading. The level of detail is absolutely astounding. This is to be expected as Brian is a Master Model Railroader. His craftsmanship, skills, and ingenuity are evident everywhere you look on his railroad. No detail has been overlooked. The scenery is so
realistic you feel like you are actually a part of the scene rather than just an outside observer. With this kind of inspiration as a background, FUNTRAK members are currently undertaking a new chapter in the club’s endeavors. With adept leadership from Greg Brockway, new HO T-trak modules are being constructed. This will enhance the club’s involvement in multiple scales and provide a new avenue for others to join in if they so desire. Pictures in the post below show some of the detail on Brian Curry’s remarkable railroad. You could spend hours viewing this railroad and still not see everything. As usual, Brian was a fabulous host and a most humble individual about his accomplishments. In recognition of some of his achievements, FUNTRAK presented Brian with a basic T-trak module with the proviso that he bring it to the PicNik next month where FUNTRAK will proudly incorporate it into a small T-trak layout. Everyone is anxiously awaiting this event and looking forward to seeing what Brian may do with the module.

Meanwhile, as shown in one of the pictures from the work session, yours truly is actually shown doing some real work. Lorenzo was also at the work session and took the picture. All in all, ten new HO modules were constructed during this session. On the 24th of July FUNTRAK members will meet at Greg’s house to continue construction of the new modules and anticipate having them up and running for the PicNik next month. So much for inspiration and ambition. Now to see how the two come together in the final result of accomplishment and what the new modules actually look like! Until next time, keep training.
Brian

FUNTRAK was extremely pleased to give this module to Brian in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to model railroading. Of course, there is a catch. With the upcoming annual Picnik, FUNTRAK will be setting up a small T-trak layout at the Picnik and expects Brian’s new module to be the star of the show. The August cover will tell the story. We’re all rooting for you Brian!

Brian Curry was kind enough to invite Funtrak members to visit his exquisite N scale home layout. This layout will provide inspiration to anyone who has even the slightest interest in model railroading. See his exquisitely detailed layout below.

The unofficial summer has arrived! Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and FUNTRAK members Greg Brockway, John Fleming, and I have begun a new chapter in FUNTRAK’s future. The HO division has been revived in the form of T-trak HO. The first of eight planned modules were constructed over the weekend, so there are now two corners awaiting track and electrical connections. Plans down the road include finishing two more corners and then building four straight modules. This will provide a minimal layout in HO of approximately four by eight feet. Club members are eager to support this new effort and look forward to the completion of the first layout. As usual, there are some minor issues that accompany any new endeavor. The first is transportation. Although HO is not really huge, it is considerably larger than the N scale modules used in T-trak. The larger size of these modules makes them more difficult to transport, but this is a problem that will eventually have a solution. Hopefully, it will be a simple solution!

Greg has volunteered to be the HO coordinator for the T-trak division and everyone in the club has promised to help him with whatever he may need to get things up and running. If you are interested in the HO side of the model railroad effort, get in touch with Greg or any club member and information, guidance, and help will be forthcoming.

In other FUNTRAK news, Golden Spike Day, May 10, saw FUNTRAK setting up an interesting layout back at Fisher Elementary School. Over four hundred “visitors” got to see FUNTRAK’s handiwork on Friday with more visitors on Saturday when the school hosted a PTA family fair. One of FUNTRAK’s newest members, Tim Brien, provided a beautifully scenicked Lionel layout for the students to enjoy alongside the FUNTRAK T-trak layout. Both of these displays were big hits for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. This was a great learning experience for the students as well as adults as the importance of railroading was acknowledged in America’s history, both past and present. The miniature world of model railroading provides a hands on experience as well as an academic challenges for all the participants. It is a great way to learn about a myriad of skills, information, and history for both student and teacher alike. If you want to try a new approach to having fun while learning a variety of new things for yourself, your children, and your friends, try model railroading. You won’t be disappointed!

Brian

Constructing the first of the necessary modules for the revived HO division of FUNTRAK began over the Memorial Day weekend. Two corners were completed with more to follow. Greg, one of FUNTRAK’s newest members, proudly displays one of the completed corners.

FUNTRAK members John Fleming and Lorenzo Franchi dressed for the occasion as FUNTRAK provided the trains for the students at Fisher Elementary School to enjoy and celebrate Golden Spike Day. The display saw over four hundred students come to view the setup and enjoy the operation of numerous trains. Tim Brien, another of FUNTRAK’s members, provided a gorgeous Lionel layout in addition to the T-trak layout at the school. Everything finished up on Saturday with the PTA’s fair being conducted throughout the school and the trains remaining until the fair closed. FUNTRAK thanks all involved!

FUNTRAK’s annual “Valley Rail Sights” show in Ilion has come and gone. This year proved to be a rousing success. Attendance was up, manufacturers were available, food was plentiful, and trains of all sizes were up and running. Much of this success is attributable to the club’s efforts at advertising the show this year. This helped promote better attendance and more interest from the community as well as other clubs. Train buffs from Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany all showed up to support the show in various ways. Everyone involved was elated at the way things ran so smoothly.

The N-trak layout was downsized somewhat this year to accommodate the larger T-trak layout, which was a huge success. The main T-trak layout consisted of five loops including a large over three scale mile long mainline along with the double bubble. This kept everyone fascinated with the trains as they made their way around this complex arrangement. The N-trak layout provided more trains to keep the public happy. Additionally, there were G scale trains running and Z scale trains on a small layout. For the younger set, there was the Lionel layout on another floor where the trains could be operated by the visitors. This always piques their interest as they are able to actually run the trains and blow the horn.

Parents and children alike appreciate the opportunity to interact with the trains. Most of FUNTRAK’s trains are set at a level that allows the youngest visitors to see the trains without having to find some means of rising up to a higher level to observe the trains. This makes it much easier on parents and grandparents since they do not have to pick up the children. Hopefully, these little things will help keep the smaller visitors interested and influence their decisions later to join a model railroad club.

Brian

FUNTRAK instituted a new concept into its t-trak layout at its annual “Valley Rail Sights”
show in Ilion over the weekend of April 21 and 22. The double inside loop added much
interest to the operation of the trains as they traversed the above mentioned double bubble.
This intriguing layout design allowed trains to travel nearly twice as far in the same amount
of space, giving the illusion of a very long run. See the complete layout diagram, more
pictures, and information on our Extas! page.