https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cTW04Lal-o
Sent to me by a Dutch on-line buddy, just posted yesterday. I was impressed with their track work. I can see the odd jink as the geometry had to be tweaked between modules, but only one or two.
-Crandell
Crandell,
I only watched the first 10 minutes of it but you gotta love those lonnnnng broad curves. And I saw maybe(?) one module that seemed slightly out of place. The majority of the “on-layout” video tour was nearly total lack of selective compression. Fantastic! [tup]
I saw my first FREMO layout at a WGH Tour show back in 2008 that was just terrific. I must have gone back and looked at it 4 or 5 times throughout the day. I can truly understand and appreciate the appeal of such layouts.
Thanks for posting this, Crandell. I will be sure to watch the rest of it later on in the day.
Tom
Excellent! I like FREMO concept of modulars since single track layouts that can easily lead to point to point layouts which IMHO is superior to loop running…I seen the publics reaction to single track railroading with signal meets and working yards.They appear to love watching the meets and yard work.
That’s for sharing the video.
Yeah, if I get squared away with things so I can start working on modular stuff again, I’d like to jump into FREMO. We’ve talked it up in our NMRA division, but no one but me has taken the plunge yet. I’ve got the first part of a two- or three-module depiction of the limestone quarry-to-mill ops on the Monon south of Bloomington, IN laid down, just needs scenery and proper wiring. We’ve used it to demonstrate secnery techniques but never got beyond that with it.
Then there’s HOn3, which FREMO is eminently suited for. I’ve heard of a few doing it, but that’s something I may also dabble in at some point.
If you’re interested in FREMO and are in the Central Illinois area, drop me a PM.
YOWZA, that is one HUGE Freno layout! I only had time to look at the first few segments, but what I saw was very impressive. I only saw one other train running at about 8 min mark, I wonder how many they can run at a time? Note the working signal system, I assume there is a dispatcher working somewhere. If I ever went modular, it would have to be Fremo - I can’t stand all that straight track on conventional modular.
George,
That’s it exactly. Not to diss on conventional NMRA-compliant modules, as they offer a good way to get trains in front of the crowds. But I think that FREMO offers a better package in terms of maintaining operator interest and involvement. Each FREMO layout is different, not simply shuffled.And it’s a lot easier to be creative with the wide-open palette of choice available for what happens between end-plates.
One thing to note is that I have heard of people making transition modules that are NMRA-style on one end and FREMO on the other. That can be really interesting, too, with NMRA-style modules often tending to represent urban areas, while FREMO tends to be more rural. Those aren’t hard and fast rules, but also another way to consider which might be of more interest to you, all things being equal.
Thanks Crandell.
I have seen a few good sized Fremo layouts in person as well and think it is a better way to go, rather than the modular layouts. However you would think that both the Fremo and Modular guy’s could get together and do a better job at getting their ducks in order as far as scenery change from one section to the next. We go from rainforest to prairie to rain forest with a splash of Arctic tundra and then palm trees, East coast, West coast, prarie grain elevator to large city warehouse within a few metres of run. I know it all depends on who ends up taking their mods to any particular show but I see the same guys at the shows year after year and it seems like the layout goes together depending on the order they arrive at the show in.
I mentioned to my wife who was half watching over my shoulder that all the operators look so serious in the video like they were landing a 747 on final approach and asked if I look that way when running the layout. I just got one of those looks and she said that’ll be the day.
Did anyone see the monster machines outside through the window? I couldn’t really tell what they were, Farm machinery, trucks, rail equipment?
Well, for a dissenting opinion, I’m sure that layout is very impressive when viewed in person. However, silent videos like that tend to lull me to sleep very quickly. It would have been nice to hear some locomotive sounds, or even a horn blowing for the crossings.
Crandell,
Thanks for sharing. With all that space, my only disappointment being the lack of Bridges. I like bridges. The guy controlling the train, did not appear too happy. [:)] But what the heck, it was good non the less.
Take Care!
Frank
I thought that some of you would appreciate a look at what can be accomplished if there is a standard and willingness to put in the effort to coordinate such a massive construction. It’s like, “Many hands make light work.” I’m sure few of us who are partway through ten-year projects on our own layouts are doing it as a chore, and not having much fun. Yet, as Tom points out, you can have some very realistic and sweeping curves, which is what immediately stood out for me. It just takes some co-ordination to make a smooth transition between seasons or terrain, also pointed out.
I can tell you that I don’t know I’d be all that keen to see video taken from an item rolling on my track systems. I’m sure it would not be very smooth, unless the IS works really well. Perhaps that is what was working on this ocassion. Still, very nice track work.
Mind you, the other big problem is where to house such a beast, and ideally it would be permanent, or semi-permanent. I’d hate to undo all of it every couple of days or so. [:S]
-Crandell
Brent,
I was mesmerized by the giant green machines outside the windows too. Around the 20 minute mark there is a decent view of the one and it looks like the tractor part of a huge farm combine.
I liked the wiggles in the track. Some of the single line railroads in this country have a lot of little wiggles and are not perfectly straight. There is some nice scenery on this Fremo layout. I noticed some things when he was going back the way he came to take us to another area of the layout…like the cowboys in the cattle drive. I also now wonder just what F. Remo sells! The downtown section that is under construction will be quite impressive when it is finished.
P&Sloca,
Quote:
I was mesmerized by the giant green machines outside the windows too. Around the 20 minute mark there is a decent view of the one and it looks like the tractor part of a huge farm combine.
That was my guess also. Farm machinery!
Take Care!
Frank
I found the clickity-click of the wheels along the rail enjoyable. It also allowed you to listen in on conversations; albeit German or English.