FreeMo MVP Needs

[3rdboxcar]

Here is my latest module, three 1.2m x 0.5m wide boards [48" x 20"], if you look up at the end you can see the end loop.

I have 3 power districts on this module, our standards call for minimum of 2, one on each main line, I added the 3rd for the switching area so any issues there do not stop trains on the main.

[jpwisc]

Here are our very simple end loops, made out of 19mm laser cut ply, track radius is 18"

I drew these up myself so if you would like the file let me know and you can get your own cut.

Do you have a version that is FreemoN compliant (22” minimus radius)?

[3rdboxcar]

Do you have a version that is FreemoN compliant (22” minimus radius)?

No but if you could wait a bit I will draw one for you.

[3rdboxcar]

Here is my control box, it has been modified a few times but basically plug and play now, if needed a couple of ops switches make the command station a booster.

Apologies for the rushed pics and quickly stuck on descriptions.

[jpwisc]

No but if you could wait a bit I will draw one for you.

I don’t need one, I’m just trying to keep new modules compliant to the standards.

[3rdboxcar]

Ah good point for somebody starting out,

Most of the guys that we meet up with here started out with Ntrak and what we all have is sort of evolved from there, I will not make anything less than 18* radius and then only for something like an end loop.

So many standards, the German "americaN fremo" has a minimum 40" radius but rail height etc is FreeMo standard.

[jpwisc]

40” radius (1000mm to be exact) would be a dream to run on! I build a junction with a 36” radius and that was smooth. Maybe I’ll do my next corners to the Euro spec!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

For a first setup, you don’t need return loops. If you can get a yard, awesome. It certainly helps ops. Return loops are convenient for  turning trains, but they burn up a lot of real estate (in transport vehicles).

The same goes for junction modules. Nice, but not necessary right off the bat. I did start with a junction, but that was because I was joining an existing group that didn’t have any yet.

A yard, and a few straight-ish modules with some industries to switch and you’ll be in business. Think of it as a mini-layout, that you can always add onto layer. Make sure the first modules operate flawlessly. Derailments during a show are annoying.

Something I found interesting: I came to Freemo from NTrak. The layout we ran for FreemoN was
Yard
Industries
Scenic
Jct to Industrial Branchline
Scenic
Industries
Yard

It was a miniature version of how real railroads are laid out. Our trains ran like real trains do. Through trains, locals, and industrial switch jobs. We got more people stopping and asking questions about the ops than anything else. It was awesome! It also only took 4 of us to make that happen.

I don't think I said thanks for that.

That's kinda what I was thinking about.

I thought about the switching thing but I've got that (kinda) currently. But I guess that would be a good way to get things started. However, in my experience of trying to start something (in the context of an existing club) that that doesn't get the necessary "loft" at a show to get people interested in participating and so the layout sits static for a lot of the time.

I guess I should explain where I'm coming from. We tried starting a oNeTRAK group within BANTRAK here a few years back and it never really "took". There were some really nice modules built but the oNeTRAK portion of the layout was often unused during shows and after a handful we decided it just wasn't worth the work. Part of the problem was that in order for it to be "display mode" (with a train just orbiting around it) at a show it either required coordination with the NTRAK layout it was attached to (using a junction and the layout to turn a train around) or was rather small (so a decently sized train was chasing its tail). Neither was really that satisfying, so we lost interest. There was some switching to be done on it but the necessary infrastructure was never really there to make anything organized there worth doing for more than a few minutes.

If something new were to be started up, I feel like it'd have to have some aspect of being able to be on semi-auto pilot for a bit between more dedicated ops sessions. Thats why I think end loops or a closed loops is necessary.

But I'm very interested in the experience of those who have bootstrapped something like this, so thank you!

[Point353]

I guess I should explain where I'm coming from.

Maybe you could explain in more detail your ultimate goals.

What do you hope to achieve by building modules to the Free-moN standard - as opposed to Ntrak or T-Trak, for example?
Are there certain scenes that you want to replicate? If so, which ones?
What types of operations (round-n-round, industry or yard switching, through trains vs. locals, etc.) do you want to be able to have?
What code rail/track do you (not) want to use?
Do you plan on building all of the modules needed for whatever constitutes an "MVP" layout on your own, or do you expect that will this be done as part of a group?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Maybe you could explain in more detail your ultimate goals.

Good idea!

What do you hope to achieve by building modules to the Free-moN standard - as opposed to Ntrak or T-Trak, for example?

Personally, I want a place to run my fleet of SD40-2s and big a$$ freight cars. But beyond my own personal needs, I know there are a number of folks in my area who have expressed interest in Freemo but we've never really "gotten it together" to be able to do something. So, from that perspective, I'm curious what would need to exist to make that possible.

Are there certain scenes that you want to replicate? If so, which ones?

This is a tough one. If I'm starting from the infrastructure perspective, I'd be looking for scenes that can make whatever's between them usable.

What types of operations (round-n-round, industry or yard switching, through trains vs. locals, etc.) do you want to be able to have?

Another good question. Ideally it'd be a mix of both: a layout that can be left to run during a show when we're not actually operating it and that could also be run like a railroad when we decide to be serious about it.

What code rail/track do you (not) want to use?

55, of course.

Do you plan on building all of the modules needed for whatever constitutes an "MVP" layout on your own, or do you expect that will this be done as part of a group?

Well, that's a good question. I'd love to not have to, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[3rdboxcar]

What seems to work for us something that has a minimum of 5 scale miles, I think the last time we met up with the Dutch group we had about 15 scale miles on 3 legs so to run a train round the whole setup took about 40 minutes. Then those that wish to run long trains can do so, that is where the basis of my module is that trains can roll along whilst somebody can switch away till they want to take a train out on to the main.

So I tend to think you are on the right track, string of modules with 2 end loops allow for continuous running and some where to switch, if you can get a couple of like minded individuals then it will not be long before things will naturally grow especially when running trains.

One thing to keep in mind is keeping to standard when building that way it can be set up quickly, It took us just under 3 hours from getting hall access to having a train run on the meet described above.

Like you said there has to be something to keep people interested whether it be operators or public watching, you can soon lose interest watching somebody switching but will always watch a train roll by and look for the next one to come along.

[Mark W]

All this hot FreeMo stuff is killing me. I want in.

From those of you with some experience, what would you consider the "minimal viable product" for a Freemo setup?

Keep in mind, it's easier to start small and expand than it is to start big.  And you don't have to start up a Free-moN group that is immediately show ready either!  It was almost 2 years after I began building Free-moN modules before we had our first public show.  During those 2 years of 'pre-show' Free-moN railroading, I reached milepost 3 (see below). 

Here is a rough outline of my thought process while building modules for Free-moNebraska.  I think they roughly follow how a real road would start and expand (minus the return loops). 

Milepost 1:
A single module with industry switching. The first "destination" or "feature" module. 
Operational as a stand alone switching module.
Train capacity: 1
Train length: 1-2 ft

Milepost 2:
Two 'destination' modules and one or more through modules.  I call these "in between" or "filler" modules. 
Operational as a point to point with switching on either end.
Train capacity: 2
Train length: 1-2 feet

Milepost 3:
Two or more destination modules, several through modules, and one passing siding and/or staging yard.
Train capacity: 2-3
Train length: up to 4 feet
Bonus: Joint set-up with a neighboring group!

Milepost 4:
Several destination modules, several through modules, one or more passing sidings and/or staging yard, and a junction and/or one or two return loops.
Train capacity: 3-4 (limit 2 on mainline)
Train length: up to 8 feet
Bonus: Multi group set-up at a national show!

Milepost 5:
Several destination modules, several through modules, two or more passing sidings, one or more staging/storage/classification yards, a junction and two return loops.
Train capacity: 6+
Train length: up to 12 feet, or the limit of your smallest return loop. (build big loops!)
Bonus: Joint set-up with a neighboring group or national show!

Milepost 6:
Several destination modules, several through modules, two or more passing sidings, two or more staging/storage/classification yards, one or more junctions and two or more return loops.
Train capacity: 6+
Train length: up to 18 feet, or the limit of your smallest return loop. (build big loops!)
Bonus: Joint set-up with a neighboring group or national show!


Of course, this is all very high level.  Certain mileposts are easily swapped and everything is what you make of it.


 

[seusscaboose]

breaking it up by miles...  is a good idea....

yard
rural
industries/junction
rural
yard

i really like that...

i would be down for a Painesville Junction (NKP) or a MA & PA junction (York)

i got the modules to do that

could be time to break out the track plan's and start a Free State FreeMo thread

[delphiz302]

All this hot FreeMo stuff is killing me. I want in.

FWIW - Delaware guy here.  I went out to NSE in Salt Lake in 2018, and ran on the Nebraska/Silicon Valley layout and I was hooked.  Built a single track module over the winter, and participated in Chicago 2019 and NMRA Salt Lake 2019 and had an amazing time. 

Now I'm working on a staging yard that matches my prototype at the Delaware City refinery, next up will be building two non-prototypical end loops.  From there I'm thinking of applying to be a layout at Timonium sometime in 2021.

Anyone interested in Free-moN I strongly urge you to build a module.  I know they say it's an "advanced" standard, but that's a joke, it's actually easier to build then ntrak in my opinion.  Single track with good end boards and you can do whatever you want in between.  Hell, the module doesn't even need to be square like ntrak or ttrak.

For those of you in the mid-atlantic, get to it, build a module!  If you want to participate in the nscale enthusiast 2021 or NMRA Santa Clara, I plan on making one or both of those shows and could perhaps bring your module if you want to fly in.  Having gone out west the last two years, I can tell you I am hooked on free-moN.  Still doing ntrak because I like my club and the members, but for module building going forward I don't think there is even a choice.

And to top it off I hear Altoona (now State College) weekend 2021 is going to be a bigger space than ever, we can ask Mike to do a Free-moN there, and I saw Mark post about a Free-moN for Amherst 2022 perhaps.  Momentum is building for Free-moN in the east!

[dem34]

Maybe I could get in to it too. I’m a little iffy about some of the attitudes that go into a lot of N Trak groups and making a couple modules sounds fun. Trick is actually getting the things into my car. Buick sedans aren’t known for massive cargo space.