N Scale Wiki

The N Scale wiki  http://modeltrains.wikia.com/wiki/N_Scale is a comprehensive resource for the history and specifications of N Scale model railroading.  The history of the scale is very interesting, in that N Scale is an abbreviation of Nine millimeter rail spacing used for n scale modeling.  This is half the rail spacing of HO scale which is 18 mm, which is half of O scale , 36 mm, from which it derives its name.  HO half O scale.

What is really interesting is that the dimensional scaling for N Scale differs throughout the world but the track spacing remains at 9 mm.  In England the dimensional scale is 1/148, in Japan 1/150, in the United States 1/160.  These differences are derived from the prototype rail spacing in the different countries as they relate to 9 mm.

One of the advantages of N Scale model railroads over other scales is the amount of space required to build an operating railroad.  It allows for long runs of track in small spaces, like a normal bedroom in a house.

The history of N Scale is also interesting.  Early beginning around 1927, but it was not until 1962 that model train manufacturers started producing commercially available products.  Within two years the industry established standards for the scale so that all the equipment would be compatible in areas of dimensions, coupler height, coupler design etc.  This was the first scale to have a standard that was documented, whereas, other standards were defacto.

I found this information interesting, as I purchased my first N Scale locomotives and rolling stock in 1963 in Yokosuka, Japan and I am still adding to my collection which is probably over 1000 units now.

T-TRAK Display at Green Valley Library

The club displayed out T-TRAK modules at the Green Valley Library Holiday Arts and Crafts show.  It was a well organized event and we enjoyed displaying our work to the attendees.  My T-TRAK modules are all Japanese prototype models with buildings, vehicles and figures.  More and larger images at http://www.snnt.org/GV2010TTRAK.html

Screen Cast Assignment

The video is a composite of video shots of NTRAK modules with trains operating during setup sessions.  The original video was shot in HDV using a Canon HDV20 camcorder.  The clip was edited using Corel Video Studio Pro X-3. Audio track dubbed from music and sound tracks, added short voice overlay.

 High Resolution  video

Book Report CIT198B-D01

Book Report for CIT198B D01 Dynamic Web Applications

Wikis For Dummies® ;  Dan Woods, Peter Thoeny,  Ward Cunningham - Inventor of wikis.

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Pub. Date: July 23, 2007

Print ISBN-13: 978-0-470-04399-8

Pages in Print Edition: 336

  http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com.ezproxy.library.csn.edu/9780470043998

I selected this book for its information about Wikis, and it was the most comprehensive and the latest publication that I could locate, that was not solely technical in content.  The book is divided into four sections: the Part I - Introduction to Wikis; Part II - Selecting a hosted Wiki for yourself and creating a Wiki; Part III – Promoting, managing, and Improving your Wiki; Part IV – Covers the ten things you can do with Wikis to make them successful.

The book gives a comprehensive history of the Wiki and how and why it was created.  The author explains the difference between a web wiki site and a standard website coded in HTML.  Wikis can be created with little or no knowledge of web programming or scripting.  Discussions about the different categories of wikis are very interesting, either in a wiki farm or on your own or hosted server. Wiki farms are preformatted wiki sites on which you can create your own wiki.  Some wiki farms may have as many as 50 wikis on them in several categories.  Also included was an overview of installing your own wiki on either a shared server or dedicated server.  I am interested in installing a wiki on one of my websites and this book gives me enough information to get me started.

The book deals with using the preformatted wiki host sites, known as wiki farms. Basically, on these sites you use the wizards and instruction for creating a wiki.  The type of wiki depends on the category you use, content-focus, process-focused, community (clubs etc.), or ease of use.

In one part of the book the author details the possible organization and layout of a wiki you create on your own server or hosted server using open source wiki software that you may install. 

I liked the simplicity of the explanations of the wiki details, from linking wiki pages, wiki webs and external links to other internet pages.  The book also explains alternative methods of wiki markups found on the internet.  The book is a bit old for Web 2.0 applications, but it seems that the wiki design has matured and has not changed much since the book was written.  Most of the wiki farms sited in the book are still operating and not much different from the book illustrations.  Since reading the book I am investigating which wiki I should use on my website and I found the information in the book to be very useful.  After reading the book, I have done a little basic research and found that my hosted server supports a .NET 3.5 wiki programs that is written .NET C# and it is included free with my website server.  So I will be installing this wiki on the NTRAK train clubs website for use of the club members to exchange model railroading information.

T-TRAK Testing

Test Loop

This weekend I have been testing my T-TRAK n scale model railroad modules getting ready for public show on October the 23rd.  I connected the modules in a loop on the dinning room table, after obtaining permission from my wife ( I have learned to do this after 43 years of marriage).  Then I connected my DCC  system, computer control to the setup with power and control.  I tested each of the train sets that I was going to run at the public show.  The testing  has been completed and I am ready for the show.  Note that the modules are all Japanese prototype.

T-TRAK Setup in Green Valley

On  Saturday, October the 23rd, the SNNT is going to setup its first T-TRAK public display from 1 pm to 3 pm in the Green Valley Library or a Community Appreciation day.  I will take 2 corners and at least 4 straight modules and 2 transition modules.  The transition modules are needed because I run the wide specification track, 33 mm between tracks and other members run the narrow specification which is 22 mm between tracks.  Other club members use Southwestern US scenery.  My T-TRAK modules are all currently Japanese prototype.  I have a lot of exposure to Japanese culture, living in the Yokohama area around 8 years, and a Japanese wife of 43 years.  I also watch a lot of Japanese TV on the 24 hour NHK channel on Satellite from Japan, most live programing or tape delayed.  I have been collecting Japanese structures and trains for many years, with more than 80 powered units of passenger and freight trains.  I will post some pix of the event on this blog.

My new T-TRAK Module

I have start construction on my new T-TRAK Module.  T-TRAK modules are small N Scale (1/160) modules that are set up on a table top.  This discipline started in Japan, as it is perfect the small house.  Typical module is a bit over 12 3/4 inches in length.  My new module is a bridge accross a river the banks of which will be covered with greenery and the typical Japanese weeping willows.  I model all Japanese prototype, others in the club model other themes.  We are planning a setup in November at the annual NMRA regional meeting and Steak BBQ.  I plan on having at least eight straight modules done and two corners.  We will run the trains on the two tracks under DCC control.  controlled by a computer and a LAN that is called LocoNet.  Pictures at this Link http://www.daletripp.com/T-TRAK01.html

This is a lot of fun.