BendTrack - The Manual pg3

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The BendTrack Manual -- Advantages & Concerns

Advantages of BendTrack

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No Operating Pit

With no fixed number of modules required (other than two balloons) and with countless different sizes, shapes, and

configurations of modules being possible, there is an almost limitless variety of possible combinations to layout design. In fact,

each operating session or show can yield a new variation in the design of how the modules are arranged.

Also, since you don't need to match lengths of one part of a display with lengths of other parts as in traditional modular

systems, you won't have to leave out anyone's modules just because the lengths don't work out to be equal.

Flexibility

An Interactive Layout

The BendTrack system was created foremost with the idea that it could give a home or club layout the capacity for

movement to a new or better location and second, that it could be used for shows. With the proper use of stanchions or guard

rails at shows, we've found that you can walk around the layout while keeping an eye on your train and at the same time interact

with the people who are viewing the trains.

From earlier experiences with traditional modular layouts, it seemed almost as if the modules acted as a barrier between

the club members and the public. We were perceived as being inside a sound proof control booth, not to be contacted unless

we happened to stray outside the system. Even as early as our first show with BendTrack modules, the general public was more

inclined to visit with our members and ask questions about model railroading as a whole. We found our BendTrack layout to be

an excellent way for our club members to reach out and interact with spectators and train enthusiasts who might be thinking of

getting into the hobby or perhaps joining a club.

More 'Running' In A Given Space

Since BendTrack does not have an

operating pit, you can use angled, curved

and branching modules to make the most

of the available space. Especially when

using branching modules, the layout

display can place modules into locations

that would normally be left vacant with

nothing for the club members to run on or

the public to see. More modules can be

used in the same square footage, meaning

more mainline to run on and more trains

running at once. This has allowed us not to

have "running time" problems from lack of

usable space in a given area, while also

lending to the more "realistic" feel of the

trains actually going to and from

somewhere, rather than just round in

circles.

Reduced Start-Up Expenses

BendTrack offers the possibility of

using just two balloon modules to be able

to have an operating layout. The lesser

amount of modules will reduce the cost of

construction, so you might say that you get

two for the price of one. For instance, a

member who builds two balloon modules

would accomplish the same end result as if

they had built four traditional 90 degree

corner modules, but with one half the time

and expense.

This minimal amount of modules to

start a small system would fit nicely with a

club who's membership is small but wishes

to have a larger layout in the future, as well

as to aid in growing a clubs membership,

as the cost to construct a simple straight

module is minimal but can become a part

of a much larger layout during an Open

House or Train Show.

Concerns

The fact that the BendTrack system, in comparison with traditional modular layouts, has no enclosed operating pit might

bring up the concern for adequate security during shows and ease of movement between different parts of the layout. This issue

can be addressed with ease...we've found that the recommended height of ~50 inches (rather than the more typical 36 to 40

inch height of typical modular layouts) helps to eliminate the need for an operating pit.

The use of an increased height results in not only the ability to move under the modules if desired, but also provides a

much more realistic viewing angle for both operators and spectators. We have also found this height to be more comfortable in

terms of working on scenery and rolling stock. As far as security goes, we have found that with shelving (which rests on the

module leg cross pieces) and skirting (on each side of a module covering this shelving) there is ample room to store boxes and

other rift raft out of view of the public. Additionally, stanchions and rope around the layout would provide additional protection

from young arms and hands that may want to touch the trains.

Of course, given the flexibility of BendTrack, it is entirely possible to configure the layout in such a way that a portion of the

layout can be "closed off" to the public, giving the group a more private area for a table & chairs, storage, or whatever they may

need.

Tighter Minimum Curve Radius

While it's true that BendTrack does have a tighter minimum track radius (14-1/2") than usually affiliated with other modular

systems, this does not mean that all of your curved track must stay at this minimum. Curves can be as broad as you wish and

branch lines that curve off the two mainlines can be as tight as you find practical for the use of your branch line.

On the original three modules that we built, the two balloons were built with the minimum radius allowed (a 29" diameter).

We have consistently run trains with four locomotives and 65 to 70 cars with minimal problems. We've found that for the most

part the problems have been wheel or car related, rather than track radius related.

Of course, the best rule of thumb for curve radius is to have as large a curve radius as you possibly can. A nice long

passenger train or that hotshot intermodal are going to look a lot more realistic on a balloon with sweeping 22" radius curve than

they are on a 14.5" minimum radius balloon.

The Original "N"ovative Modular System

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Advantages of BendTrack

With no fixed number of modules

required (other than two balloons) and with

countless different sizes, shapes, and

configurations of modules being possible,

there is an almost limitless variety of

possible combinations to layout design. In

fact, each operating session or show can

yield a new variation in the design of how

the modules are arranged.

Also, since you don't need to match

lengths of one part of a display with lengths

of other parts as in traditional modular

systems, you won't have to leave out

anyone's modules just because the lengths

don't work out to be equal.

The BendTrack system was created foremost with the idea that it could give a

home or club layout the capacity for movement to a new or better location and second,

that it could be used for shows. With the proper use of stanchions or guard rails at

shows, we've found that you can walk around the layout while keeping an eye on your

train and at the same time interact with the people who are viewing the trains.

From earlier experiences with traditional modular layouts, it seemed almost as if

the modules acted as a barrier between the club members and the public. We were

perceived as being inside a sound proof control booth, not to be contacted unless we

happened to stray outside the system. Even as early as our first show with BendTrack

modules, the general public was more inclined to visit with our members and ask

questions about model railroading as a whole. We found our BendTrack layout to be an

excellent way for our club members to reach out and interact with spectators and train

enthusiasts who might be thinking of getting into the hobby or perhaps joining a club.

Since BendTrack does not have an operating pit, you can use angled, curved and

branching modules to make the most of the available space. Especially when using

branching modules, the layout display can place modules into locations that would

normally be left vacant with nothing for the club members to run on or the public to see.

More modules can be used in the same square footage, meaning more mainline to run

on and more trains running at once. This has allowed us not to have "running time"

problems from lack of usable space in a given area, while also lending to the more

"realistic" feel of the trains actually going to and from somewhere, rather than just round

in circles.

BendTrack offers the possibility of using just two balloon modules to be able to have an operating layout. The lesser

amount of modules will reduce the cost of construction, so you might say that you get two for the price of one. For instance, a

member who builds two balloon modules would accomplish the same end result as if they had built four traditional 90 degree

corner modules, but with one half the time and expense.

This minimal amount of modules to start a small system would fit nicely with a club who's membership is small but wishes

to have a larger layout in the future, as well as to aid in growing a clubs membership, as the cost to construct a simple straight

module is minimal but can become a part of a much larger layout during an Open House or Train Show.

Concerns

No Operating Pit

The fact that the BendTrack system, in comparison with traditional modular layouts,

has no enclosed operating pit might bring up the concern for adequate security during

shows and ease of movement between different parts of the layout. This issue can be

addressed with ease...we've found that the recommended height of ~50 inches (rather

than the more typical 36 to 40 inch height of typical modular layouts) helps to eliminate

the need for an operating pit.

The use of an increased height results in not only the ability to move under the

modules if desired, but also provides a much more realistic viewing angle for both

operators and spectators. We have also found this height to be more comfortable in

terms of working on scenery and rolling stock. As far as security goes, we have found

that with shelving (which rests on the module leg cross pieces) and skirting (on each

side of a module covering this shelving) there is ample room to store boxes and other rift

raft out of view of the public. Additionally, stanchions and rope around the layout would

provide additional protection from young arms and hands that may want to touch the

trains.

Of course, given the flexibility of BendTrack, it is entirely possible to configure the

layout in such a way that a portion of the layout can be "closed off" to the public, giving

the group a more private area for a table & chairs, storage, or whatever they may need.

While it's true that BendTrack does have a tighter minimum track radius (14-1/2")

than usually affiliated with other modular systems, this does not mean that all of your

curved track must stay at this minimum. Curves can be as broad as you wish and branch

lines that curve off the two mainlines can be as tight as you find practical for the use of

your branch line.

On the original three modules that we built, the two balloons were built with the

minimum radius allowed (a 29" diameter). We have consistently run trains with four

locomotives and 65 to 70 cars with minimal problems. We've found that for the most part

the problems have been wheel or car related, rather than track radius related.

Of course, the best rule of thumb for curve radius is to have as large a curve radius

as you possibly can. A nice long passenger train or that hotshot intermodal are going to

look a lot more realistic on a balloon with sweeping 22" radius curve than they are on a

14.5" minimum radius balloon.

The Original "N"ovative
Modular System

Manual Navigation

Advantages of BendTrack

With no fixed number of modules required (other than two balloons) and with countless different sizes, shapes, and

configurations of modules being possible, there is an almost limitless variety of possible combinations to layout design. In fact,

each operating session or show can yield a new variation in the design of how the modules are arranged.

Also, since you don't need to match lengths of one part of a display with lengths of other parts as in traditional modular

systems, you won't have to leave out anyone's modules just because the lengths don't work out to be equal.

With no fixed number of modules required (other than two balloons) and with

countless different sizes, shapes, and configurations of modules being possible, there is

an almost limitless variety of possible combinations to layout design. In fact, each

operating session or show can yield a new variation in the design of how the modules

are arranged.

Also, since you don't need to match lengths of one part of a display with lengths of

other parts as in traditional modular systems, you won't have to leave out anyone's

modules just because the lengths don't work out to be equal.

The BendTrack system was created

foremost with the idea that it could give a

home or club layout the capacity for

movement to a new or better location and

second, that it could be used for shows.

With the proper use of stanchions or guard

rails at shows, we've found that you can

walk around the layout while keeping an

eye on your train and at the same time

interact with the people who are viewing

the trains.

From earlier experiences with

traditional modular layouts, it seemed

almost as if the modules acted as a barrier

between the club members and the public.

We were perceived as being inside a

sound proof control booth, not to be

contacted unless we happened to stray

outside the system. Even as early as our

first show with BendTrack modules, the

general public was more inclined to visit

with our members and ask questions about

model railroading as a whole. We found

our BendTrack layout to be an excellent

way for our club members to reach out and

interact with spectators and train

enthusiasts who might be thinking of

getting into the hobby or perhaps joining a

club.

Concerns

BendTrack offers the possibility of using just two balloon modules to be able to

have an operating layout. The lesser amount of modules will reduce the cost of

construction, so you might say that you get two for the price of one. For instance, a

member who builds two balloon modules would accomplish the same end result as if

they had built four traditional 90 degree corner modules, but with one half the time and

expense.

This minimal amount of modules to start a small system would fit nicely with a club

who's membership is small but wishes to have a larger layout in the future, as well as to

aid in growing a clubs membership, as the cost to construct a simple straight module is

minimal but can become a part of a much larger layout during an Open House or Train

Show.

Concerns

The fact that the BendTrack system,

in comparison with traditional modular

layouts, has no enclosed operating pit

might bring up the concern for adequate

security during shows and ease of

movement between different parts of the

layout. This issue can be addressed with

ease...we've found that the recommended

height of ~50 inches (rather than the more

typical 36 to 40 inch height of typical

modular layouts) helps to eliminate the

need for an operating pit.

The use of an increased height

results in not only the ability to move under

the modules if desired, but also provides a

much more realistic viewing angle for both

operators and spectators. We have also

found this height to be more comfortable in

terms of working on scenery and rolling

stock. As far as security goes, we have

found that with shelving (which rests on the

module leg cross pieces) and skirting (on

each side of a module covering this

shelving) there is ample room to store

boxes and other rift raft out of view of the

public. Additionally, stanchions and rope

around the layout would provide additional

protection from young arms and hands that

may want to touch the trains.

Of course, given the flexibility of

BendTrack, it is entirely possible to

configure the layout in such a way that a

portion of the layout can be "closed off" to

the public, giving the group a more private

area for a table & chairs, storage, or

whatever they may need.

While it's true that BendTrack does

have a tighter minimum track radius (14-

1/2") than usually affiliated with other

modular systems, this does not mean that

all of your curved track must stay at this

minimum. Curves can be as broad as you

wish and branch lines that curve off the two

mainlines can be as tight as you find

practical for the use of your branch line.

On the original three modules that we

built, the two balloons were built with the

minimum radius allowed (a 29" diameter).

We have consistently run trains with four

locomotives and 65 to 70 cars with minimal

problems. We've found that for the most

part the problems have been wheel or car

related, rather than track radius related.

Of course, the best rule of thumb for

curve radius is to have as large a curve

radius as you possibly can. A nice long

passenger train or that hotshot intermodal

are going to look a lot more realistic on a

balloon with sweeping 22" radius curve

than they are on a 14.5" minimum radius

balloon.

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