I am contemplating tearing down my layout and starting over by building it in modules. It is HO scale. What I would like to know is if there has ever been an established set of guidelines for HO modules similar to the NTRAK standards. I often see HO modular club layouts at shows, but I don’t know if the standards are simply in-house or if there is some hobby-wide set of rules. I’d like to do this right so that I can possibly put a module or two in a club layout in the future, if the club I happen to find has that type of setup.
Thanks.
I am a member of a moduler club here is a link to the standards page for us http://www.pwmrc.org/newsletter/PWMRC_Module_Standards.pdf
Hope this helps
This is a link for the NMRA module standards. Give it a try.
Unfortunately, there is no universal HO standard, like N-Trak. Althought, the NMRA standards are pretty widespread.
Nick
Your best bet is to go to the club or organization that you’d like to interchange with, and find out what their standards are. Since their are no universal standards for HO, you might go with a popular one to find out the local clubs aren’t using it.
Your LHS should be able to tell you what clubs are around, or you can go to the next local show and ask the people there in person.
Kevin
There are a lot of variants out there, but most are either straight out or backwardly compatible to NMRA specs.
Ours will bolt up to NMRA modules, but we use a 6 inch connector, not a nine inch like the NMRA does. Its more a matter of preference.
Thats the physical side of it.
Electricly, there may be major differences. Different control systems or signalling may affect compatability from module to module.
Finally estheticly, the better displays I have seen also have scenic standards, to eliminate the “patchwork quilt” look so common to modular layouts
Look for all this when seeking out a modular spec, especially if you have plans on being part of the display.
for more, see us at www.fcsme.org
For a different approach to modular railroading to a higher standard,
check out Free-mo.org Not a roundy-roundy but a more realistic point to point concept with larger radius free flowing curves and operations in a prototype manner. Some setups draw over 100 modules!
I am building a layout out of HO modules now. I’m sticking to the NMRA standards for benchwork and track because they appear to be the most widely accepted. You may want to look at the Ntrak site for their newer recommended practice for wiring. It features Anderson Powerpoles instead of Cinch-Jones connectors and I’ve found them much easier to work with. Then when I take my modules to shows, I just need a 12 inch pigtail to convert one to the other.