Hi There. I’m looking for either books or magazine articles on how to build a modular layout - rather one that can easily be moved for either show purposes or for if you have to move. I know that there is N-Trak, but I am set on making my layout in HO. How adaptable are the N-trak standards to HO?
I’m looking to go modular because of the possibility of a work related move. I’d hate to get started and then have to tear everything down and start over.
Thanks!
stan
Bruce Petty’s work gave me the kick that I needed to start the sort of layout you may be looking for. We are a military family, so I needed the same thing you are looking for. Take a look at the below link and see if you don’t get a few ideas…
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/1916/train.lay1.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/free-mo/
http://www.geocities.com/NorCalFreemo/
http://www.trainweb.org/freemoslo/Free-mo-Groups.htm
Sorry, I am not much more help than that
I’m not familiar with Bruce’s costruction, but it seems well presented. Check it out.
There seems to be TWO types currently popular:
ONE is Std. NMRA ‘N’ Club module so a club can transport, set up, and tracks line up, etc. I believe these modules are basically 2’X4’. The general concept is a portable single section that can be be part of a club display, at some common location.
ANOTHER is David Barrow’s ‘Domino’s which are a group of 1.5’X4’ raw tables for a home layout, connected together in variable combinations form a layout. I made mine in the garage and set it up down stairs in a basement family room. My ‘Tool Bench’ is still in the Garage with my tools.
I was privileged to talk with David at a Santa Fe Modelers meet, and explored his thoughts on Modular layouts. He liked the idea of being able to reconfigure - as he has has made many changes through the years, but he thought the ‘Club’ concept stopped short of good design. David is an Achitect by trade.
The thought of one man’s ‘moutains’ connected alongside anothers ‘desert’ appalling. His idea was better to have a permanent solid base that could be configured in different ways to form an asthetic. integrated whole. He also preferrs a ‘walk along’ RR with cotrols convenient @ each location, be it ‘Tethered DC’ or Digital Command Control (at the time he had CVP’)
LAST I heard’ his guests were throwing their own switches (gone is the CTC panel) as they walk along with their train and are the Conductor, Engineer, and Switchman for their respective trains - with train orders yet.
HIS Article series ‘SOUTH PLAINS DISTRICT’ in MR Dec '96 shows construction info, and may still be Zerox available from MR. Write, don’t Email.
One of the things I ‘borrowed’ from Mr. Barrow was his use of 1/2"
my club has a traveling modular layout that is stored in a trailer and taken to shows. we used to have some problems setting up as you have to level each module with its mate at each end and clamp them together then install 9" straight sections between them. it takes about two hrs to set up at a show. i have been modifying the modules bu running the rails to within 1" of the end and using a 2" piece of rail to join them and instead of using c clamps to hold it together i have been installing 3 1/2"butt hinges which eliminates the need to align and level the modules which will cut down assembly time considerably
Thank you all for the responses! Aside from the posibilities of moving, I like the idea of being able to remove the layout and take the sections outside for photography or to a show. When all is said and done, this will be my first layout. Thanks again for the help…
stan
spe376,
Please, do check out David Barrow’s “South Plains District” series.
It ran from Sept to Dec, 1996, with a “follow-up” article in Oct, 1997. It is probably my favorite "how-to"series ever published in Model Railroader.
You could probably buy all of the back issues by going to the back issues section of this website.
I will quite possibly use his techniques on my next layout. It makes the whole daunting layout construction task seem much less overwhelming, easy to “scrap” sections you don’t like 3 years down the road without tearing out your whole layout, etc.
Now, by going modular, you do of course have some design constraints. But they may very well be worth the tradeoffs for you.
-James
Check out freemo.org for a different approach. Free-mo setups are modular and point to point instead of roundy-round caboose chasing. Large curves and turnouts combine with prototypical operation to make for a good time had by all, participants and audiences alike, as at regional train shows. Find what type of railroading appeals most to you, then pursue it! jc5729