Open modular railway standard
HEX‑TRAK
Fig. 1 — minimum closed loop, 6 modules, 746×717 mm footprint
Hex-TRAK is an open, N-scale modular railway standard built around Kato Unitrack. Each 6mm MDF hex packs into a storage bin between sessions and locks edge-to-edge with the next, letting one modeler build organic, branching layouts that a rectangular T-TRAK grid can’t.
Hex-TRAK wasn’t drawn up by a single studio — it converged. Jonathan, who runs Train Trax UK (trading as Model Railway Magic) and his own laser-cut kit business JSModels, had already been developing a hexagonal module system when he came across Justin’s parallel work on the TableTopRailroad YouTube channel.
The two had arrived at nearly identical geometry independently. Train Trax reached out, and the designs merged over months of correspondence into the single standard sold today.
“Justin is aware that we at Train Trax UK are selling these modules, and he has given his blessing.”
— traintrax.co.uk/hex-trak
The system launched globally on 5 August 2024. No corporate entity holds the name — it remains an open hobby standard, and vendors are expected to identify themselves as building “Hex-TRAK compatible” modules rather than claiming ownership of it.
Co-developer · UK
Runs Train Trax UK (Model Railway Magic Ltd, York) and JSModels, his own laser-cut kit line. Designed the original hex geometry and manufactures the primary module range.
Co-developer · TableTopRailroad
Publishes tabletop and modular railway projects on the TableTopRailroad YouTube channel. His early hex-module videos predate Train Trax’s involvement and shaped the final standard.
Facebook group · primary
The main community hub — layout files, build tips, and inspiration, with the developers active in the group.
Facebook group · regional
US-focused group also covering mini dioramas and T-TRAK modules — a good read on North American builds and pricing norms.
| No. | Vendor | Region | Carries | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Train Trax UK | UK | Official manufacturer — full range incl. edge, half-hex, double-height | traintrax.co.uk ↗ |
| 02 | Hex-Trak USA | USA | First dedicated US manufacturer, N-scale modules | hex-trak.com ↗ |
| 03 | JSModels | UK | Jonathan’s own laser-cut kit line, Hex-TRAK modules | jsmodels.co.uk ↗ |
| 04 | Klawndyke | USA (IA) | Laser-cut MDF bases, half-hex and edge modules | klawndyke.com ↗ |
| 05 | RS Laser Kits | USA | Mini hex modules in N and Z scale | rslaserkits.com ↗ |
Hex-TRAK modules ship as bare wood — you’ll still need Kato Unitrack to run trains on them. Eight line items cover a basic loop with one junction:
| No. | Component | Kato part | Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Straight | 20‑000 | 248mm, 4 pcs — the module’s flat-to-flat span |
| 02 | Curve, 45° | 20‑170 | 216mm radius, 4 pcs — paired with 20‑171 to make a module’s 60° corner |
| 03 | Curve, 15° | 20‑171 | 216mm radius, 4 pcs — the remaining 15° of that same corner |
| 04 | Switch | 20‑240 / 20‑241 | Compact electric turnout, R150mm, 45° — left (20‑240) and right (20‑241) |
| 05 | Switch filler, entry | 20‑091 | 29mm straight, from an 8‑piece assortment — sets the turnout back to the module edge |
| 06 | Switch filler, straight leg | 20‑092 | 33mm straight, from an assortment pack |
| 07 | Switch filler, straight leg | 20‑040 | 62mm straight — reaches the far module edge |
| 08 | Switch filler, curved leg | 20‑121 | 315mm radius, 15° — closes the diverging leg back out to a module edge |
20‑091/20‑092 are grab-bag assortments — you’ll have leftover pieces. The switch’s curved leg also overhangs its module edge slightly more than a standard curve does. Notes: traintrax.co.uk/hex-trak · discussion: JNS Forum
Support a Canadian shop
Four independent Canadian hobby shops stock Kato Unitrack.
Fastest option
Everything in the table above is stocked on Amazon.ca.