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1 | 1 | --- |
2 | 2 | title: "Free-Trak Standards" |
3 | | -subtitle: "**Version:** 0.9.0" |
| 3 | +subtitle: "**Version:** 0.9.1" |
4 | 4 | layout: default |
5 | 5 | --- |
6 | 6 |
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7 | | -Free-Trak is a proposed N scale module standard that combines the ease of use and "bulletproof" connections of T-Trak™ with the module sizing flexibility of Free-MoN. This increased flexibility aims to make modules easier to integrate into home layouts and lead to more operational interest for clubs. |
| 7 | +Free-Trak is a proposed N scale module standard that combines the ease of use and "bulletproof" connections of T-Trak™ with the module sizing flexibility of Free-Mo. This increased flexibility aims to make modules easier to integrate into home layouts and lead to more operational interest for clubs. |
8 | 8 |
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9 | | -**Preliminary Version Disclaimer:** Please note that these standards are not finalized and numbering/content is subject to change. Diagrams will be added soon. |
| 9 | +**Preliminary Version Disclaimer:** Please note that these standards are not finalized and numbering/content is subject to change. Diagrams will be added soon. At version 1.0.0, all numbering shall be frozen |
10 | 10 |
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11 | 11 | --- |
12 | 12 |
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13 | 13 | ## Module Dimensions |
14 | 14 | 1. All modules, with the exception of end modules (either balloon loop or stub-end), must have at least two endplates |
15 | | - 1. Endplate width must be between 12" and 24" |
16 | | - 2. Endplates must be constructed of a non-warping material (3/4" birch plywood or reinforced 1/4" birch plywood is recommended, see Free-Mo recommended practices and example endplate laser cutting templates [here](https://github.com/UncommonModels/Free-Trak-Templates)) |
17 | | - 3. Single track endplates must be labeled with a "front" corresponding to the rail attached to a blue feeder cable (see 3.1, note that this does not necessarily need to be the intended viewing location of the module) |
18 | 15 | 2. Modules may take any length and shape between endplates |
19 | | -3. Modules must be 2 3/4" tall with adjustable feet (to maintain T-Trak™ compatibility) |
| 16 | +3. Endplate widths must be between 6" (152mm) and 12" (305mm) |
| 17 | + 1. Total module width between endplates may vary as desired by the builder |
| 18 | +4. Endplates must be constructed so as not to significantly warp |
| 19 | +5. Endplates must be 2 3/4" (70mm) tall with adjustable feet to maintain T-Trak™ compatibility |
| 20 | +6. Endplates must included a centered slot for wiring 1/4" (6.35mm) above the bottom of the module, at minimum 1/2" (12.7mm) tall and 1" (25.4mm) wide |
20 | 21 |
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21 | 22 |
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22 | 23 | ## Track Configuration |
23 | 24 | 1. Track at each end plate should be either single or double track with Kato™ Unitrack™ connectors and centered within the end plate |
24 | | -2. Double track modules should use standard 33mm Kato™ track spacing |
25 | | -3. The minimum turnout shall be #6 for the mainline |
26 | | -4. The minimum curve radius shall be 11.25" (as in T-Trak™) |
27 | | -5. Tracks must overhang the endplate by no less than 0.1mm and more than 1mm at each joint |
| 25 | +2. Double track modules should use standard 33mm Kato™ Unitrack™ spacing |
| 26 | +3. The minimum turnout shall be #6 for the through-route |
| 27 | +4. The minimum through-route curve radius shall be 11" (282mm) |
| 28 | +5. Tracks must overhang the endplate by no less than 0.1mm and no more than 1mm at each joint |
28 | 29 |
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29 | 30 |
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30 | 31 | ## Wiring |
31 | | -1. Each double track module must be wired blue-white, white-blue (for T-Trak™ compatibility) |
32 | | - 1. Single track branch line endplates shall be labeled according to either the corresponding wiring for how it branches off a main line or such that the "front" of a module corresponds to the blue rail on a module with only single track endpoints |
33 | | -2. Andersen connectors shall be provided on each endplate, with one pair of blue and white connectors per track bus on the endplate |
| 32 | +1. Each double track module must be wired blue-white, white-blue (as described in the T-Trak™ standard) |
| 33 | +2. Single track branch line endplates shall be labeled using blue and white indicators (paint, stickers, electrical tape, etc.) on the endplate to display polarity of each rail |
| 34 | +3. Mini-Tamiya™ (standard Kato™) connectors shall be used, with one pair of feeders per track per module |
| 35 | + 1. Optionally, a track power bus with Free-Mo style electrical connections with Anderson Powerpole™ connectors (as described in [Free-Mo Standard Section 4](http://www.free-mo.org/standard/#4)) may be implemented, with a clearly labeled double-pole, double throw (DPDT) switch allowing for the module to change between T-Trak™ and Free-Mo electrical operation modes |
| 36 | +4. Auxillary power for accessories shall be either pulled from the track bus or a separate standard AC plug adapter |
34 | 37 |
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35 | 38 |
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36 | 39 | ## Resolution of Ambiguities |
37 | | -1. Ambiguities in the standards shall be resolved such that they maintain compatibility with T-Trak™ layouts |
| 40 | +1. Any ambiguities in the standards shall be resolved such that they maintain compatibility with T-Trak™ layouts |
38 | 41 |
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39 | 42 |
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40 | 43 | ## Recommended Practices |
41 | | -1. All main lines on the module are recommended to have at least one feeder connection to the track bus |
42 | | -2. Crossovers should include an isolated reversing section to allow for switching mainline tracks |
43 | | -3. Use of a DCC system is strongly recommended |
| 44 | +1. 3/4" birch plywood or reinforced 1/4" birch plywood is for constructing endplates, see example endplate laser cutting templates [here](https://github.com/UncommonModels/Free-Trak-Templates) |
| 45 | +2. Turnouts should be wired for operation via LCC |
| 46 | +3. Crossovers should include an isolated reversing section to allow for switching mainline tracks when in T-Trak™ wiring mode |
| 47 | +4. Use of a DCC system is strongly recommended |
44 | 48 | 1. Use of wireless throttles is strongly recommended |
45 | 49 | 2. Use of a DCC-EX based DCC system is recommended |
| 50 | + |
46 | 51 |
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47 | 52 | --- |
48 | 53 |
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49 | 54 | **Changelog:** |
| 55 | + - Version 0.9.1 |
| 56 | + - Added more details regarding wiring |
| 57 | + - Clarified text of module dimension section and moved some suggestions to |
| 58 | + - Numbering shuffled in most sections |
| 59 | + - Added metric values in addition to imperial where needed |
50 | 60 | - Version 0.9.0 |
| 61 | + - Added Changelog |
51 | 62 | - Switched wiring to match T-Trak™ standard |
52 | 63 | - Removed DCC system requirement |
53 | 64 | - Added ambiguity resolution section |
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