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T-Trak Network in English page
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What is the standards of modular model railroad system? The parallel history of the Tram Module and the T-TRAK.
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Hello everybody, my name is Higurashi. I am the representative of the "T-Trak Network Tram Module Liaison Committee" in Japan. Thank you for gathering here. And thank you for listening to the story. I was involved from the beginning stage of the Tram Module standards were born. I talk "history of this the Tram Module standards" and "What is the standards of modular model railroad system". The Tram Module standards were born in 2000, 16 years old. The first, Mr.Yohei Amano made a small module for the tram. His module was the size of A4 paper : used art boards. He was a college student who was a part-time job at the time RM-MODELS (Japanese page) editorial department. This is the starting point. The "RMM Tram Module Promotion Committee" was born. Members of this Committee was Mr.Amano, Mr.Ken Hayama , Mr.Takeo Kaga , and me. note: Mr.Ken Hayama worked RM-MODELS editorial department at that time. Later he became the editor-in-chief of RM-MODELS. Mr.Takeo Kaga was model shop Gare De Passage manager at Tokyo Station at that time. Mr.Higurashi worked a company near the ooi Pier Tokyo at that time. Members gathered every night to RM-MODELS's office building that was in Himonya Tokyo. We started a magazine series of articles that designing the new standards of modular model railroad system - standards of the Tram Module - has begun. At the time, in japan, HASEGAWA - MODEMO - was released Toden model 6000 and Tosaden model 600. These were the first full-scale japanese tram models of the N scale. Next, MODEMO was released Meitetsu model 510. That is a very popular old-timers tram. Tram models was becoming a new movement of the world's japanese N scale at that time. note: Toden is Bureau of Transportation Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Tosaden is Tosa Electric Railway. Meitetsu is Nagoya Railroad. Outline flow of at that time is the following. First, collect the opinions of the readers using the magazine - RM-MODELS -. Next, the standards of the Tram Module were brushed up to using an opinion that was gathered. Finally, we was gathered Tram Modules by the magazines. We made Tram Module layout included these Modules. Roughly speaking, the resulting standard is just simply stucking KATO unitracks on the board. This standard is very simple. You might think "Why you do was hard to decide this?". I look at again at the time of the RMM article, Trams and small trains of N gauge that had been around at the time in Japan was only about 10 types in all. There were such as MODEMO tram series, KATO Chibiden, KATO Hannover tram, TOMIX (Japanese page) Hakone Tozan Bernina, Arnold small trains and Bachmann trams. There were not including "TOMYTEC Railway collection tetsu colle (Japanese page)". We decided to minimum sizes : track spacing and track radii so that these trains does not conflict on A4 art boards. We decided to minimum sizes : track offset so that the road and building models can be arranged on A4 art boards. Very early stage, we have decided to track spacing to 25mm in the series the second round. Track spacing 25mm is a size far below the TOMIX track spacing 37mm and KATO track spacing 33mm. We have decided to minimum track radii to 120mm so that these 10 types trains can run. We asked minimum sizes. Now, indeed the minimum size of the track radii there are many problems in 120mm. There is no effect to build scene even without small up. Now, when we build Tram Module, minimum size of the track radii is over 150mm. KATO Unitram minimum size of the track radii is 180mm. I couldn't say this until now. The RMM articles was talk format. The talking of "RMM Tram Module Promotion Committee" meeting recorded was recorded in a cassette tape. Mr. Hayama transliterated and fit the name of the person who spoke to sentence. So, it was not necessarily match. When I received and read the RMM, I felt, someone whose name 'Higurashi' is in the articles but myself is not in the articles. However, the articles of the story is exact. If you want to know in detail, please search RM-MODELS articles dating back to Sep. 2000 at usedbooks shops such as BOOKOFF (Japanese page) or popondetta (Japanese page). When we started to design the Tram Module standards : Aug. 2000, 1st the Japan Association of Model Railroaders (JAM) International Model Railroad Convention was held in NS building, Sinjyuku, Tokyo,Japan. Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald and Mr.Jim FitzGerald : designed N-TRAK came Japan. When Mr. Hayama talked 'We start to design the Tram Module standards.', Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald and Mr.Jim FitzGerald were very interested. The parallel history of the Tram Module and the T-Trak started. There was still a big problem in the Tram Module standards at that time. The problem was how joins the modules together in a layout. N-TRAK Modules are joined in a layout by clamping with two "C" clamps and inserting "Snap Track". There is a precedent in a N scale Tram Modules layout which made Meguro-Gakuin Senior High School the Raliway Club. This Tram Modules layout was very good and was reported on a N gage magazine (Japanese page). This Tram Modules were inserting "Snap Track" : similar to N-TRAK Modules. By this way, the square dent which looks like a hole of a road construction by a regular interval forms on the road. The "RMM Tram Module Promotion Committee" tried to use "Snap Track" : Similar to N-TRAK Modules, Channel material, Magic tape, Electric plugs and Snap of clothes. We tried to use material what is the best one of a physical connection and the electric point. We thought, useing Kato Unitrack is best. This made the Tram Module standards succeed and T-TRAK standards succeed. There is a precedent in useing Kato Unitrack. Oota Model Railroad Club (Japanese page) made a shall modules layout. Oota Model Railroad Club modules were joined by Kato Unitrack (Kato unijoiners). We tried to join Tram Modules together by use Kato Unitrack. There is no problem to use as a physical connection and the electric point. The attachment and removal is also easy. When stucking the track which sell everywhere on a board, a module will be done. Track Length is 310mm which can create using Kato produces straight track combinations Module Length is 310mm using a A4 art board which stuck two board of the 5mm thickness on both ends. We thought that is a good idea. I want you to pay attention, when Kato Unitrack is lined up in parallel tightly, track spacing is 25 mm. This was just accidental, building can be done very easily. It was the result which is often good. We thought difficultly. We done trial and error. But the answer was the simple. The first he model railroad operation meeting was performed at an underground meeting room in NEKO PUBLISHING (Japanese page) Himonya Tokyo Japan in Dec. 2000. A Tram Modules layout made included the gathered Tram Modules at each related place. This was the first Tram Module standerds layout in the world. And also, this was the first T-TRAK Module standerds layout Modules in the world. I was used to seeing the view by which a long train runs a loop. The view to which a short trains are coming one after another was fresh for me. It's remembered even now. So, That a new thing has started, I was affected. At this time, one of members was having a DCC controller and trams to install the DCC decoder. We did both of a test run of trams by DCC and a test run of trams by analog. When controlling by analog more than one trains in one loop, those may collide with it from behind and those can't be controlled separately. We thought one of members to do a test run of trams by DCC. It was a try in an early stage as to control model trains by DCC in Japan. Trams and DCC are outstanding in the chemistry But it have to change a system from foundation, so it doesn't spread easily in Japan. I think regrettably. An event as a RM festival was held at the Train and Bus Museum (Japanese page) spring in 2001, the museum was under the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line Takatsu station.At that time we was gathered Tram Modules by the magazines at each related place in Japan. This was a first the Tram Module operation meeting of the system for which each builder applies in Japan. Japanese expert modelers such as the memvers of Japan Module Layout Club, Mr. Akihiro Morohoshi (Japanese page) and Mr. Youich Ishikawa participated in this event. Mr. Youich Ishikawa build the great module "Overhead crossing National Railways train and Keihin Electric Express Railway in Shinagawa Yatsuyama". We wondered. However there was also a lot of something of the making way buildings have just put in a bare board. This way of thinking such as 'The made theme is unlimited.', 'Good or bad of other works isn't estimated.', 'The builder's world is respected.', 'All the members take a module.', and 'All the members enjoy.' was established already at that time. I think this was a good result because of the thing a magazine medium neutral viewpoint initiative to be gathered. note: Japan Module Layout Club dismissed in 2016. 2nd the Japan Association of Model Railroaders (JAM) International Model Railroad Convention was held in Tokyo Big Sight, Ariake, Tokyo,Japan, summer in 2001. Two Tram Module layouts with 80 modules made by the system for which each builder applies. Please pay attention to 2 topics. 1st, Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald and Mr.Jim FitzGerald came Japan, again. Ms.Lee take very creative three modules. Thease modules were included Tram Module layout. Ms.Lee put the name as "T-TRAK" on "Tram Module standards" to introduce to American model railroad builders. 2nd, An origin of "T-Trak Network Tram Module Liaison Committee" is the Tram Module builders who made Tram Module layouts and operated trams at this time. After that for several years, we participated in the RM festival in spring and in the JAM convention in summer. The Tram Module layouts have grown. Many modelers and many Tram Modules participationed thease events each times. Numver of participationed modelers and modules too more, the work amount exceeded the limit with which one model railload magazine can be treated. The "RMM Tram Module Promotion Committee" was born in 2003. And "T-Trak Network Tram Module Liaison Committee" took work over from the "RMM Tram Module Promotion Committee" in 2003. The layout featured over 180 Tram modules that were provided by over 100 different modelers in the Japan Association of Model Railroaders (JAM) International Model Railroad Convention in 2003. We devised it variously so that a lot of Tram modules can participate with a lot of modelers. Those some were such as 'The height of the desk is changed and one layout is exhibited in other layout.', 'We made the small reverse loop modules which is called by us "the dog born module" and made some small Tram layouts to used these reverse loop modules.' and 'The size of the Tram layouts was changed during exhibition using an advantage of Tram Module standards.'. At this event we also did the following. - Everyone competed for high-rise buildings such as department stores. - I made an interview with the producer. - The demonstration operation of B Train Shorty (japanese page) was released, which was released at that time. We created a T-TRAK T1 (single track) standard and installed the prototype. This standard eliminates one of the two standard rail tracks. This could present that "a single line in a residential dense area like enoden has another fun". At that time, it seems that T-Trak in America was not so prominent yet. However, a simple module standard was craving for even in the United States. On the other hand, trams in the US long ago, most of them were obsolete by the 1950s. There is a genre called traction, but they would have thought that there was no rationality to do with a small N gauge by daring a small tram. Under such circumstances, T-TRAK standards made another evolution in America. In order to allow full-scale trains (: mainline large diesel locomotives such as SD75 and AC4400 pull the double stack train) can run, the track spacing of the modules has been changed to 33 mm which is the standard of Kato Unitrack. This was "reverse imported" to Japan under the name of alternate standard. At the 2004 JAM convention, we have set up an alternate standard for the "B Train Shorty". "Alternate standard" is also quite interesting. At that time, the fact that we received requests for exhibitions of municipalities and museums and other exhibitions began to increase. In the event of Kawasaki city Kanagawa, we used the "alternate standard" for the "B Train Shorty" at the exhibition of the Nambu Line / Odakyu Electric Railway. However, in Japan, track spacing 25mm has already penetrated as a tram module standard, and the alternate standard did not spread. The standard proposed this time is exactly this alternate standard. In 2004, we stopped exhibiting the road module layout at the JAM convention. The reason is below. - It takes half a year to prepare. - Approximately 200 modules participate, there are lots of administrative processing, such as presentation to JAM secretariat, preparation of layout map, contact to participants, etc. Even if you go through the administrative process, it is a big burden for amateurs who do other work. In addition, the responsibility for work became heavier and busier, and some members were unable to enjoy the event because they could not take time to make their own module. We knew that it would hinder the diffusion and development of roadside modules, and we decided. As we thought, the tram module as a movement declined at this time (2014). However, unless JAM convention 's exhibition has been stopped at this time, I think that the withdrawal of the core members continued, making "T-Trak Network Tram Module Liaison Committee" 's survival difficult. Now (2016), many of the members since that time are in the position of headlines and section chiefs in the core business. I am also in a position to organize a whole workplace. Perhaps we do not have much time to do as much work in the leisure time as possible. From this time on (2014), our activities also changed. I mentioned that we had a small exhibition at the request from Kawasaki City. Besides that, in 2005, There was a request from the "Seikatu-koubo (Japanese page)" in Setagaya-ku Tokyo for the exhibition of the Tokyu Tamagawa Line (the so-called "Tamaden") layout. We received a request. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Tamayama in 2007 at the "Seikatu-koubo", Setagaya Line Independence 40 years anniversary in 2009 at the "Seikatu-koubo" and in 2008 at the Setagaya Literary Museum (Japanese page), we also exhibited tram modules specialized in "Tamaden" and Setagaya lines . It is the story of 2007 that I can not forget. On the evening of that day when a record of 800 people attended on Saturday, the Setagaya Line and "Tamaden" were broadcasted on a TV program called "Adomachiku tengoku (Japanese page)". With this influence, we recorded 3,500 event visitors the following Sunday. On that day, I was refraining from going out because I was not very well. However, there was an emergency request mail from the exhibitor staff, and I went out to help in a hurry. There were so many visitors that the module could not be seen in the hall. I was very surprised. The tables on tram modules were pushed by many people, and the exhibition staff desperately supported the table from the other side. It is said that it was the first prize in the number of mobilization exhibitions of "Seikatu-koubo". Probably, I think that it is a record that has not been broken even now. About the exhibition of the "Tamaden", there was also a TV program appearance called NHK (Japanese page)'s "Nettyu-jikan". "T-Trak Network" 's "T" has become such a situation that it seems to be "T" of "Tamaden". In 2011, "the 100 years of Transportation in Tokyo" was held at the Edo Tokyo Museum, where the theme of the "Toden" and the Arakawa line was exhibited. During the long period, members took turns to the venues of both countries, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays. We drove a model and talked to visitors. From children to elderly people were pleased. note: Please look at 'Past T-Trak Network Tram Modules Events for public'. Currently (2016), we are conducting periodic activities such as : - JNMA festival, - Autumn Japan Model Railroad Show, - Year-end Saitama railroad model festa, - Events in Kashiwazaki City Niigata (Prefecture just being held today) , - Events in Oshu city Iwate mainly around events of member locations. In this process, We met many Modelers. We connected numerous well-known modelers through tram modules. The fellows who were not known until now also became companions. Everyone is extremely rich in personality, full of talent and experience. Each one of us is a common pride. Many of our members gathered at first, and those who just became college students or society at that time became middle-aged. The important thing is to respect the work world created by everyone else. I think, we should avoid saying "such a thing" or "your this can not forgive" about the work made by others. We have been able to work without major division and internal confusion for ten years because we did not make a mistake into the world of others and we have devoted myself to carefully protecting my own world and raising it. Well, it is the situation abroad such as America. To be honest, I have mainly performed real life railway preservation activities over the last few years, and I do not do much of the activities of the tram module and T-TRAK. I knew only about the situation in particular overseas especially fragmentally. I tried searching the Internet again. In the USA etc. - There are a lot of people who enjoy T-TRAK as a general module layout. - The standard of track spacing of "T-TRAK" is 33 mm. - T-TRAK is modules that runs full scale N gauge. I was surprised to look that. For details, please listen to Mr. Uematsu and Mr. Kato 's speeches. I know the circumstances of the initial establishment. I feel that it is a bit far from the original story. I also feel that the concept had changed. However, Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald and Mr.Jim FitzGerald searched for things that could be enjoyed more conveniently than N-TRAK spread by himself. That is T-TRAK. T-TRAK does not seem to be popular in Europe. I think that it is reasonable because the penetration rate of N and HO is reversed between Europe and Japan. I have a friend in Belgium. He has a Japanese type N gauge including trams as his hobby. But, he is not very interested in tram modules. However, I heard that KATO commercialized Swiss Gletcher Express at 1/150 and sold well in Europe. It may be possible to expect from now. When I got the story this time, I felt the difference is the difference between the way Japanese people and Americans think and proceed. We initially thought of a vehicle to run on top of the module. We started from the point of making the running environment of the vehicle. The Japanese initially thought from physical things. However, the Americans made a dramatic versatility, either as it is, or with some modifications. Americans initially thought of concepts. Americans have more conceptual and flexible thinking. I am surprised to hear that T-TRAK standards is defined from Z to O gauge. From the circumstances of establishment, we have regarded this standard as trams and small trains. I would like to keep raising the track spacing 25mm standards with all of you as the origin of this standards which is the modules of Japan originated. In the past, there was considerable difficulty just by making a tram track. I had to lay a paving stone, raising up and interference of the flange occurred. This was a bottle neck. Today KATO commercializes a very excellent tramway railroad called "Unitram" in the "geotown series". Even those that can not easily be made, such as plane intersections and points, are released. Of course you can secure a length of 310 mm in combination. It is like a dream. I would like to express my gratitude to KATO. What is the standard in the first place? It can be said that the standard is a compromise for making compatibility. By keeping it, you can use anything even if you bring it. You can also extend it. That minimum rule is the standard. To that end, it is desirable that the standard be as simple as possible. It can be said that the tram module standards and T-Trak standards was able to meet that requirement as a result. As an example of the standard, I brought toilet paper. Probably the same dimensions are used around the world. The important thing with this item is the size of the cylinder. It will not fit in a holder if it is long. If it is short, it drops off. If the diameter of the cylinder is small, it will not fit. If it is big, the amount of paper that can be wound decreases. Standards of Toilet paper with proper dimension supports convenient everyday life. Who decided this shape and dimensions? Although there is a provision in JIS, the inventor is unknown. However, I think that it is actually an excellent invention. The person who made the standard is not great. There is the word double standard. Such a thing that standard itself becomes identity, makes it absolute, and confronts competing standards, such as home electronics and urban transport as well as the world of hobby, there are many from long ago. This only confuses people. We should warn such things. As a person involved in formulating the standards, I was told at the time. That thought is still unchanged. I have great expectations that the second movement will come due to the spread of the track spacing 33mm standards. Of course, I hope to coexist with the 25mm tram module standards. For example, you can enjoy a lot of railway and train traveling side by side like main railway and parallel roads run side by side, three dimensional intersection, plane intersection of railway and orbit like Iyo Railway (: Tramway-Railway crossings) and orbit driving such as Echizen Railway. KATO has commercialized such a convenient and respectable thing. It is an adapter rail of track spacing 33mm and track spacing 25mm. By two common items of length multiplied by 310mm and Kato Unitrack, we can enjoy it any way. In other words, KATO is already following both standards. We are also thinking about the possibilities of the track spacing 33mm modules in various ways this time. On the other hand, I am very happy if someone is trying to make a track spacing 25mm tram module. Each has its own interest. Please consider that there are two choices which is track spacing 25mm tram modules and track spacing 33mm mainline modules, depending on your preference. The protagonists are the people who make the work to the last. Again, the standard is a minimal compromise for the purpose of connecting it and enjoying it. This standard is a point of success for unjoiners. This standard was raised with the hands of various people in the time of 16 years. The network of people across the boundaries of the country and region that Uni joiner connects, that is the real appeal of this standard. I thank Mr. Kato and all staffs of Sekisui Kinzoku who having me, Mr. Uematsu, Mr. Hayama and all staffs of RM-MODELS, members of T-Trak Network, and everyone at the event. I heard that Mr.Jim FitzGerald died in Oct 2013 and Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald loses her condition. I dedicate this speech to Ms.Lee Monaco-FitzGerald and Mr.Jim FitzGerald. Thank you all for listening your attention.
The copyright of this text is held by Mr. Seiichi Higurashi. The copyright of this translated text is held by Hiroshi Oguma. This text is a manuscript of a lecture made at 2016.05.30, T-Trak Tokyo Project kick-off meeting. The actual lecture is a video released. |
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