I put my TTRAK Technology Demonstrator Module together to show off a few of the innovations I’ve developed and discovered to help make more interesting or user friendly modules.  You can learn about the various aspects of the module in this post: Hacked Unitrack, 3D Printed Leg Adjuster Knobs, my Standard Below Grade TTRAK Frame, and lastly, an unseen bonus, Lever Wire Connectors.

Hacked Unitrack

The showpiece of the TTRAK Technology Demonstrator module is my Hacked Unitrack.

It is a way to use finer looking track in a fully TTRAK compatible way, all the way to the end of a module.  The demonstrator module features both Micro Engineering Weathered Code 70 and Peco Code 55 to show that they both work quite well.

• For more background on my 3d printed solution to read my intro to Hacked Unitrack.
• To learn how I installed this installation read my post about Using Hacked Unitrack on a TTRAK Module.

In addition to the roadbed and track combinations, I have also included examples of two solutions for bringing the level of the ground up closer to the track: 3mm craft foam and 5mm foamcore board.

3D Printed Leg Adjuster Knobs

Adjusting the height of TTRAK modules once they are “clicked” together on a table is a pain. Some people solve this by using leveling solutions adjustable from the top of the module. I don’t like how these can get in the way of scenery however, so I came up with another solution: 3D printed leg adjuster knobs. These knobs fit over the square shoulder of the leveling bolt and make it far easier to adjust the bolts in the tight space below module frames.

For more info about these knobs including how do print your own, read my post on them.

Standard Below Grade TTRAK Frame

The demonstrator module is built using my standard approach to building TTRAK modules: 1″ extruded styrofoam on top of a 1×2 dimensional lumber frame. For more information about how I build modules, read my Making TTRAK Modules post.

Bonus: Lever Wire Connectors

One thing you can’t see on the module is one of the most handy things I’ve come across for doing module or layout wiring: lever wire connectors.

I first got turned onto these by Mike Musick (C855B on The Railwire) who is building a model railroad “at scale”. I first fell in love with the Wago brand connectors, but my friend Dave Betz has convinced me to get the cheaper generic versions (since I’m not building an aircraft) from companies like HTCELLE (whoever that is).

These are some of the ones I’ve used:

• Generic one in, one-out connectors
• Generic one-in, five-out connectors
• Generic connector variety pack
• Wago official variety pack

Once you see how much easier these make wiring you’ll be reaching for your soldering iron far less.