The N scale modular layout is the largest of the three current N scale layouts. It measures roughly 2 and ½ scale miles around the main tracks of the layout so a train traveling at a scale speed of 60 miles per hour should take roughly 2 and ½ minutes to circle the layout. This layout is constructed of a number of small, easy-to-transport and easy-to-rearrange module units.  

2/20/2010 UPDATE…The layout has undergone its first major reconfiguration since it was installed in our current clubhouse. The layout has been reconfigured, the (future) passenger yard modules extended and six modules, which are designed to be a representation of-but not an exact match to-the PRR built Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, Pennsylvania, have been installed in the layout. Including module construction, trackwork, and partial scenery, it is estimated that there is already well over 500 hours of work in these six modules. Finishing the scenery will be a gradual process and will add several hundred additional hours to the completion of these modules. 
 

Most of the layout modules adhere to the national NTRAK organization construction standards. Many of the modules are owned by individual members of the club. The three town modules are club-owned. The remainder of the modules, including the “Horseshoe Curve” modules by club members Chip Wilson and Dirk Kreiss, are owned by club members. The older privately-owned modules (the “front” stretch facing the Powell layout) in this layout were some of the modules built during the 1990’s to create the original modular N scale layout in our previous home at the Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg.  

The NTRAK standards provide for certain common features, including track placement at the ends of each module or multi-module scene and common electrical standards. Most NTRAK straight modules are 2ft deep by 4 ft long but 6 ft and 8 ft lengths are also standard. Curve modules are 3 ft. or 4 ft square, depending on the radius of the curve used and the amount of space you want or need in your curve modules. Following NTRAK standards allows the construction of a permanent layout yet offers the flexibility to reconfigure layouts and provides the opportunity to combine a large number of modules to create one large layout. In recent years regional and national N Scale conventions have set up layouts using HUNDREDS of modules and using the relatively-new Digital Command Control to control individual trains (instead of the old electric block or zone system) dozens of trains can operate simultaneously on these large layouts! You can learn more about NTRAK at www.ntrak.org. 
 
While our modular layout follows no specific railroad or is an exact match to any location, most of the privately-owned modules are, or will be, built to represent the era around the late 1960’s to the early to mid 1970’s. The building and vehicles on these layouts are usually not attached which makes it easy to transport them and makes it possible to remove and/or replace buildings and/or vehicles if we want to change the era of the layout. At operating sessions and open houses we will run trains of any era, regardless of the scenery era.  

Members of the N scale group within the MOVMRC hold annual reviews, in compliance with the N scale groups rules and by-laws, to determine if and how the modular layout will change. The current long-range plan for the layout includes the addition of 7 privately-owned modules designed to be a representation of-but not an exact match to-Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.