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The following standards are to be used in the construction of modules for the modular layout of the Cream City Traction Club.

 GENERAL    TRACK & WIRE    ELECTRICAL    SCENERY
ROLLING STOCK    RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

THIS PAGE FORMATTED FOR PRINTING
The following standards are to be used in the construction of modules for the modular layout of the Cream City Traction Club.

• GENERAL:
  
  
  1. Straight modules should be not less than three feet in length and built in multiples of 1 foot.
     
     
  2. Minimum depth of modules shall be 15".
     
     
  3. Rail height must be 39" from the floor with 1" +/- vertical adjustment to allow for uneven floors. Shims may be used but must be provided by the builder.
     
     
  4. All modules will be clamped together with two "C" clamps at each end. An area approximately four inches square should be left clear at each corner to facilitate clamping. Two clamps must be provided by the builder for each module.
     
     
  5. Framework endplates of each module shall be standard 1x4 lumber to interface with other modules.
  
  
• TRACK & WIRE:
  
  
  1. Mainline will be double track, single direction, right-hand running. The front most track centerline will be 4" from the front face of the module, with the second track centerline 6" from the front at the interface. These are the "mating" requirements for the module. Within a module or "mated set" of modules, track may go anywhere.
     
     
  2. Rails should extend to the end of the module. The use of rail joiners between modules is optional.
     
     
  3. A minimum radius of 7" may be used in city trackage, but the 2" track center dimension should be increased on curves of this radius to permit two cars to pass.
     
     
  4. Crossovers, reverse loops wherein a car may travel to the same track but in the opposite direction, and wyes are not permitted for electrical control reasons. Reverse loops to the other track (i.e. "short turn loops") are permitted.
     
     
  5. All paved trackage shall be code 100 rail. Unpaved trackage may use any SIZE between code 70 and code 100 inclusive. Code 40 rail is definitely not recommended.
     
     
  6. All modules should be straight through double track with passing tracks and sidings optional. While junctions, corners and end modules are desirable, they should only be built by prior arrangement with the club.
     
     
  7. Simple trolley wire construction should be used with your choice of #28 AWG solid wire. Phosphor-bronze or nickel-silver wire is preferred but not required. Catenary construction may be used only if compatible with trolley pole operation and if interface with other modules can be accomplished (see following).
     
     
  8. A small (SIZE 00-90) washer shall be used at the last span at each end of the trolley wire. When modules are connected a short length of wire will be stretched between the washers providing wire continuity across the interface between modules.
     
     
  9. Wire height shall be 18-22 scale feet above the railhead (2" - 3").
  
  
• ELECTRICAL:
  
  
  1. All trackage shall be laid and insulated to provide for 2 rail 12 VDC operation to NMRA Standards.
     
     
  2. Trolley wire will be common, ultimately to be the common return for the 24V "Detroit" system of operation.
     
     
  3. An optional electrical switche(s) may be provided to isolate a module or part of a module from the layout (i.e. "Stopping Block").
     
     
  4. 12 Pin Molex type (available from Radio Shack) electrical connectors or their equivalent will be used at each end of each module or set of modules. Pin assignments are as follows:
     
     
     1. Front rail of front-most track
        
        
     2. Rear rail of front-most track
        
        
     3. Front rail of second track
        
        
     4. Rear rail of second track
        
        
     5. Trolley wire
        
        
     6. 24 VAC lead for additional controllers (future)
        
        
     7. 12 VDC + lead for accessories & lighting
        
        
     8. 12 VDC - lead for accessories & lighting
        
        
     9. 24 VDC + lead for relays or accessories
        
        
     10. 24 VDC - lead for relays or accessories
         
         
     11. 12 VDC + lead for switch machines
         
         
     12. 12 VDC - lead for switch machines
     
     All modules shall be wired with male connector at the right end, and female connector at the left as viewed from the front. All connectors should have sufficient wire length to extend below and beyond the edge of the module at least 3", approximately 4" from the front of the module. Junction modules shall have an additional appropriate connector mounted at the point where the diverging track leaves the module.
     
     
  5. All modules shall be wired through with all 12 conductors, whether or not they are used. #14 AWG stranded or larger wire shall be used. (one good inexpensive source is lamp cord {"Zip-Cord"} or 14 ga. speaker wire.) If wires are not color-coded they should be numbered with wire markers corresponding to the above named pin assignments.
  
  
• SCENERY:
  
  
  1. Modules should be scenicked with buildings, street paving, trees and other scenic items as desired to present a completed scene.
     
     
  2. Scenery can be representative of any era from the early 1900's to the very early 1960's (the years of trolley and interurban operation in the Milwaukee area.) Scenery and scenic items later than the 1960's are very strongly discouraged.
     
     
  3. Backdrops are suggested but optional, and, if used, shall extend 12" above the railhead.
  
  
• ROLLING STOCK:
  
  
  1. All cars must operate on 12 VDC, 2 rail operation. Ultimately, plans call for 24 VAC "Detroit operation" with an optional switch in the car to permit either type of operation. (This will require operating trolley poles. The only additional modification required to standard HO equipment is the addition of a single diode in the motor lead. Net cost per car, approximately $0.25, cars should be equipped with working trolley poles. Non-working poles are allowed on a temporary basis if they present a prototypical appearance. Pantographs may not be used as they will destroy the overhead trolley wire. (Pantographs may be mounted but not used if a trolley pole is also provided, al  Sacramento Northern and others.)
     
     
  2. All cars should be able to negotiate 7" radius curves. Cars requiring larger radius may be restricted in operation.
     
     
  3. All equipment should be painted and lettered to present a prototypical appearance. "Club colors" or Milwaukee area prototype (Milwaukee Electric, Speedrail, Milwaukee Northern, Transport Co. or North Shore) are preferred, but other systems are allowed.
     
     
  4. Freight locomotives and cars shall be equipped with Kadee brand couplers. Passenger equipment, merchandise motors and trailers may be equipped or not with couplers of the builder's choice.
     
     
  5. All equipment shall meet all applicable NMRA standards except as noted above.
  
  
• RECOMMENDED PRACTICES:
  
  
  1. Use of a MLR Brand parallel track gauge is recommended to maintain accurate track centers at the interface.

Cream  City  Traction  Club    Layout  Tour    Standards    Links    FAQ    How  To    Schedule   
Don  Dellmann's  Web  Page    Mike  Bauers'  Web  Page    TMER&L  Co.  Car  List