Pros & Cons of going modular

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I probably will not go modular but I might for my next layout. Here’s the pros/cons as I see it:

Cons:

  1. You have to make special wiring hookup dealies.

  2. There are cracks that must be hidden if you want your scenery to look seamless

  3. Adds to the labor and materials

  4. You have to align everything up.

Pros

  1. If you are a member of a club and your module conforms to their standards, you can actually bring portions of your layout to meetings. Pretty ccool, heh?

  2. You can move the layout more easily without resorti8ng to hatchets and sawzaws

  3. You can swap out modules (for example if you want to change the scenery or track plan

  4. You can rearrange the modules

Your thoughts?

2

Cons, modules are almost always island layouts and therefore are smaller in a given area room.

3

You could also do both. Have part of the layout conventional and part modules.
Enjoy
Paul

4

if you move you don’t lose your layout. but lots of labr if you are alone.

5

The biggest con of modular is that it take up a lot of space if you follow all the rules - 4.5" for the interface and 3" between any transition. These rules also requires alot of additional planning.

On the pro side are portability, lightweight construction and interchangability. Modular can be very flexible if the modules are not confined to the traditional rectangle shape - the trapazoid is a wonderful shape for a curve.

I think that the benefits to modular construction outweigh the disadvantages.

Later…

6

First of all, we need to clarify the difference between “modular” and “sectional.” Modules are pieces of layouts that can connect to any other module in any way. Sections are pieces of layouts that fit into a layout only one way, and connect only to specific other sections.

Secondly, the “rules” depend on which modular standards one chooses. If one uses the NMRA standards, then yes, they are quite rigid and unyielding in the design department. There are standards which allow for much more flexibility, such as Free-Mo <http://www.free-mo.org> in HO or oNeTRAK <http://www.nvntrak.org/nb/onetrak.php> in N.

Also, there is the ability to create mated modules: they are not as flexible in a modular setup, but moreso in a layout. Mated modules are basically big modules made up of multiple sections.

Alas, the best way is a happy medium. Make a layout with a couple sections that can be removed to form modules.

7

Cons
Setting up your modules at a show on a Friday night, then getting up a O-Dark-thirty and driving for an hour or more to run trains for the public at a show on Saturday. Then doing it all day Sunday, only to pack it up and schlep it home that night, and reporting to work the next day.[xx(]

Pros
Doing all the above, while running trains[:D], talking to other modelers,[:D] making new friends[:D] and seeing kids squeal with delight when we park the coal drags and bring Thomas and his friends out[:D].

As far as the day-to-day home layout is concerned, 1/2 my layout is modular, the rest is attached to the house. All the modules are 4 ft, or multiples thereof, and contrary to popular statements, you can build a modular layout that runs around a room and is NOT an island. Just make your trapezoidal corner modules with 2 18"x24" “wings” to make them inside-out corners !!! Sorry, we dont have better pics on the webpage yet, but you can see an ariel view at http://www.fcsme.org/0310_3.htm showing an inside out corner.

Seriously, I’ve been doing this modular thing for going on 9 years, and frankly, I cant see doing it any other way now. I’ve moved my modules about 6 times a year now and because of careful planning and good woodworking, I can set my 5 modules up myself in about an hour. When the whole club is together, it really seems to fly!!!

One more Pro,Because of its portability, more people can see a modular layout at one time that any layout that is “housebound”!

8

I did a modular layout (2 X 4, N-scale) for my first layout because of space limitations and because I wanted to try out every facet of building a layout in as short a time as possible. I’ve really enjoyed the experience, and would recommend it, if you’re so inclined. But, if you have the space, time, and patience (and money), why not go for as large a layout as possible?

9

When designing a sectional layout, care must be taken to insure that curves and track switches line up correctly. If you’re wondering, I have a sectional layout that runs along 2 walls in my workshop. If and when I move it again, I can just remove the switches. I’m not too concerned about hiding the gaps between sections. Eventually, plan on hiding them with scenery glued over strips of cardboard.

10

I use a combination of these two. My entire layout is sectional because I am required by occupation to move from time to time. Most of it conforms only to my own standards and fits together in only one particular manner. I built a couple of the sections, however, to meet NMRA modular standards so I could take them to N scale shows. It is a fun combination as the sectional parts give me greater creative flexibility and the modules give me the oppoutunity to show off my work to larger audiences at the shows. I am very happy with this arrangement.
Ron